Thousands expected in pilgrimage to see Khalifa of Islam on U.S. tour

CENTRAL JERSEY – With three stops on the East Coast beginning Friday, Oct. 19, thousands are expected to make the pilgrimage to see international Muslim leader, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, during his U.S. visit.

Ahmad, the Khalifa of Islam and head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, is expected to make formal addresses at mosque openings while in Philadelphia on Oct. 19, Baltimore on Oct. 20 and Manassas, Virginia on Nov. 3. 

With tens of millions of followers in more than 200 nations, Ahmad last visited the U.S. in 2013. In this visit, Ahmed will tour several cities in two countries, inaugurate three mosques and the Nasir Hospital in Guatemala, and deliver multiple keynote addresses, before departing Nov. 5, said Nusrat J. Qadir-Chaudhry, national spokeswoman with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. 

As the worldwide head and spiritual leader leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Ahmed is expected to extend "the message of true Islam and what is expected Muslim Americans per their faith in Islam," Qadir-Chaudhry said.

"His message bears relevance in reminding Muslims that they are required to be loyal and productive members of their country of residence adding to the betterment of the community they reside within while still maintaining their Muslim identity," she said. "His message will include a message of anti-terrorism and the Islamic perspective in the path towards world peace." 

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Aliya Latif of Old Bridge plans on attending "Juma /Friday prayers" in Philadelphia and then go to Guatemala for the Humanity First Hospital inauguration. Latif volunteered in Guatemala in 2011 and 2012 for Humanity First.

"With close to 40,000 attendees from all over the globe and various walks of life and faiths, it's a beautiful testament to true Islamic ideals of peace, pluralism, safety security and unity," Latif said. "In this day and age with so much division and polarization, it's a beautiful reminder to listen to his addresses, visit conventions and remember that we are one human race and our diversity should be respected and appreciated rather than condemn or threatened."

According to Qadir-Chaudhry, the tour also will afford Ahmad the opportunity to address American leadership. Past addresses have included speaking at Capitol Hill and addressing members of Congress from both political parties.

"These dialogues are essential in progressing his goals of a path towards peace in the world and an accurate understanding of true Islam," Qadir-Chaudhry said. "The world, especially America, have a misconstrued ideas of what Islam is about and His Holiness with his message removes erroneous misconceptions and promotes a message of peace, love, and tolerance." 

Spreading a message of peace and hope

Born in a small village in Pakistan, Ahmad worked as a teacher and school principal in Ghana before being elected to the office of Khalifa in 2003 and becoming the leader of the world's single largest Muslim community.

Considered a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international movement within Islam, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was founded in 1889 and has a membership exceeding tens of millions in more than 200 nations. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is among the oldest American-Muslim organizations.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and re-institute morality, justice and peace.

"I am part of a worldwide Community of Muslims who believe that the founder of our Community, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, was the Messiah," said Mendham resident Tariq Sharif, who is a member of the Central Jersey Chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and attends an Old Bridge mosque as well as prayer centers in Parsippany and Madison. "His Holiness, the Khalifa of Islam, is the fifth successor to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and continues his mission of uniting all people, reviving the true peaceful teachings of Islam and being dedicated to the truth about religion. I find that he has answers to hard questions about faith and our world today that nobody else can answer in such a clear, deeply satisfying way."

In the Garden State, there are approximately 1,200 members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Qadir-Chaudhry said.

Locally, many followers of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA are members of Masjid Baitul Hadi, a mosque at 27 South St. in Old Bridge, said Qadir-Chaurdhry, who resides in Morristown, and on occasion attends the mosque prayers and events in Central New Jersey. 

“We eagerly await the arrival of His Holiness, as this is his first tour of the Americas since 2013,” said Dr. Nasim Rehmatullah, senior vice president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, “Many members, including refugees, have never met His Holiness and will get their time with him during the tour.”

A personal connection

It is not uncommon for Ahmad's followers to desire a personal meeting with the leader. Many local followers intend to attend at least one if not all of his scheduled visits. 

"His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad is perhaps one of the most accessible world and spiritual leaders for his tens of millions of followers throughout the world, in that the majority write him frequently and receive responses, watch him daily via TV satellite or the internet, or travel directly to London in hopes for receiving an opportunity to meet him in person albeit for two minutes or so," Qadir-Chaudhry said. "His Holiness makes it a point to meet as many of his worldwide spiritual congregation as possible and travels to numerous countries in order to make this possible."

As a son of American converts to Islam, Sharif remembers seeing pictures of Ahmad as a child and thinking "how amazing it would be to have the opportunity to meet him someday." Sharif, along with his family, met Ahmad in person five years ago in London. He is planning on attending the Philadelphia visit with his wife Henna, a teacher, and my son Mohsin, a student at Rutgers University. Sharif called Ahmad his "north star" for thinking about "how we achieve peace as a society, as a family and as individuals." 

"I really looking forward to just being in his presence, seeing him, and praying behind him," Sharif said. "I am sure I will come home feeling rejuvenated and renewed in my faith and optimism for the future. It’s hard to describe how it feels being in his presence, but there is a great feeling of calm, peace and hopefulness. His Holiness is humble but determined in his addresses and approach, and I think those are the keys for us as a family and community in our everyday lives. We need to be humble because everything we have is due to the Grace of God. At the same time we need to work actively to help others of every walk of life."

Latif said six members of her family, including herself, have visited England to "spend time in the company of the Khalifa." 

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Asad Chaudhry of Somerville plans on attending all of Ahmed's visits in the U.S and his wife and and four children will all be present at the Philadelphia event. 

"It is not everyday that one gets a chance to be this close to His Holiness, especially when he visits your country," Chaudhry said. "What I look forward to most is offering congregational prayers behind him."

Chaudhry said it will be "a very memorable day" for his family as his daughter, Ayaana, will have her Ameen ceremony with Ahmed. The Ameen ceremony is when a child finishes the first reading of the Holy Quran.

Spreading the message

Followers firmly believe that Ahmad's mission is one for the betterment of the world — and a message that is sorely needed in today's era of divisive rhetoric.

"In a time when many people no longer believe in traditional faith or are questioning the existence of God, I find His Holiness’ message refreshing and hopeful," Shaif said. "We are taught to believe in a Living God that still speaks to and guides people today. Anyone can find God and benefit from a personal relationship with Him, and no one can interfere with that or take that away from you."

"He is the true embodiment of Islam in this day and age," Chaudhry said. "In fact he is the 'Muslim Hope' for all the other Muslims around the world. You hear all the stereotypical negative stories about Islam and how it is a violent religion — nothing could be further from the truth. If anyone wants to witness the true teachings of Islam then I believe our community is the model under the leadership of His Holiness."

Each works hard to promote Ahmad's message to others.

Sharif said he and his family try to role model service as best as they can in their lives. As the volunteer Chapter Public Relations Director for the six years, he tries to use that platform for productive dialogues and to build bridges with people of different faiths and backgrounds.

Latif said she promotes and helps share Ahmad's message of peace by helping to organize diverse delegations of guests from all over the U. S. to attend and participate in the annual convention in England and meet with Ahmed themselves. She also works in Restorative Justice in New York City schools.

"This peace and community building work feels directly in line with what my faith teaches and what my Khalifa models," she said. 

For more information, go to www.khalifaofislam.com or www.trueislam.com.  

Staff Writer Cheryl Makin: 732-565-7256; cmakin@gannettnj.com