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March 2013 Acting Editor: Nasir Ahmad B.A. LL.B. Vol. No. 7, Issue No. 8

Contents Page

Editorial Note

2

Important Announcement: Three-day Centenary Convention in the UK 3

Science and the Qur’an 4

Life after Death in World Scriptures – Jalal Ud Dean, Fiji

5

Hazrat Ameer Dr A.K. Saeed in Holland – Yasir Aziz 7

Brief Life Profiles

Suyud Ahmad Syurayuda, Indonesia – Cecep Fuad Mukhlis

Selim Ahmed, UK

Nazhat Shameem, Fiji

8

11

13

Jama‘at News

The Religion of Islam in Indonesian reprinted – Erwan Hamdani

14

What Our Readers Say

15

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Editorial Note...

We apologise for the delay in the publication of the March issue. One of the reasons is that we wanted to

include details and photographs of Hazrat Ameer’s visits to Canada, the USA, Holland, Trinidad, Suriname, the

UK, and France, but due to some technical problems we could not obtain all the photographs. In this issue we

have included only report about Hazrat Ameer’s visit to Holland. Hopefully, the remaining reports and

photographs will be published in the April issue.

The April issue will mainly highlight the centenary celebration of Hazrat Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din’s first arrival in the

United Kingdom to establish an Islamic centre. By the grace of Allah, on his arrival in the United Kingdom he

happened to find the Shah Jehan Mosque at Woking and he carried on his activities from there through the

Woking Muslim Mission & Literary Trust and the monthly Islamic Review. We will try to present a brief history,

views and photographs about his pioneering work in the dissemination of the teachings of Islam in the West.

From the January issue, we have started sending out printed copies, on request. Readers who wish to receive a

printed copy for themselves or anyone else can email us the relevant name and address and we will be happy to

send the Bulletin by post.

We are trying to make the publication of Life Profiles a regular feature of the Bulletin. This time we are publishing

three life profiles relating to our valuable members from the United Kingdom, Fiji Islands and Indonesia.

Lord Headley Al-Farooq (L) and Hazrat Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din

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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

Three-day Centenary Convention

to commemorate the

First Arrival of Al-Hajj Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din

in the United Kingdom in 1912

will be held on 3, 4, & 5 May, 2013.

A Special Session on 4 May will be held at the

H. G. Wells Conference & Events Centre Church Street, Woking, Surrey GU21 6HJ

The First Session will be presided over by:

Councillor Anne Roberts, Deputy Mayor of Woking

Inauguration and Opening Speech:

Dr A. K. Saeed, Head of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement

Speakers:

Mr Jonathan Lord, MP for Woking

Dr Zahid Aziz

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Dr Taj Hargey, Founder, Muslim Educational Centre Oxford

Mr Ray Morgan, Chief Executive, Woking Borough Council

The Second Session will be presided over by:

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon

Speakers:

Dr Gerdien Jonker, Research Scholar, Berlin

Mr Amir Aziz Al-Azhari, General Secretary (AAIIL), Pakistan

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Ahmadiyya Anjuman Isha‘at-i Islam Lahore (U.K.)

(Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam)

invites …………………………………………………………………………………..

to the Three-Day Centenary Celebrations of the Arrival in the United Kingdom of

HAZRAT KHWAJA KAMAL-UD-DIN Founder of the Woking Muslim Mission & Literary Trust

which was based at the SHAH JEHAN MOSQUE, WOKING

to be held from Friday 3rd

to Sunday 5th

May, 2013.

A Special Session will be held on Saturday at 10.30 a.m.

at the H. G. Wells Conference & Events Centre

Church Street East, Woking, Surrey GU21 6HJ

(Lunch will be served)

The Sessions on Friday and Sunday will be held at the UK Centre,

Darus Salaam, 15 Stanley Avenue, Wembley, UK HAO 4JQ

Research scholars will present the history and impact of the Mission

on the spread of Islam in the West.

R.S.V.P: Mrs. J. Khan, President (Phone: 0208-529-0898 / Email: mulb7@btininternet.com)

Shahid Aziz, Secretary (Mobile: 07976-312618 / Email: shahidaziz0@gmail.com)

Centre: Darus Salaam, 15 Stanley Avenue, Wembley, UK. HA0 4JQ / Phone: 0208-903-2689

Science and the Qur’an …

Metabolism in human body regulates sleep? Hormone Melatonin helps us sleep at night and work during day

Falling asleep and waking up are complex processes, which could not happen without interaction of the

hormone Melatonin. It is a natural hormone found in plants and animals. It is vital to regulating a variety of

bodily functions that we rarely think about unless they go wrong. These include sleep-wake cycles, dreaming,

maintaining the immune system, and regulating ageing.

In humans, Melatonin is made in the pineal gland, located near the centre of the brain. Its chemical form is N-

acetyl-5-methodoxytryptamine, and once produced it is released directly into the bloodstream. The pineal

gland produces Melatonin during the night, typically in response to darkness detected by the eyes. Melatonin

reduces alertness, induces drowsiness and drops the body temperature; all this helps us to drop off. During the

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day, Melatonin production dramatically declines so that we stay alert. This 24-hour cycle is referred to as the

circadian rhythm. (Courtesy: How It Works, Issue No. 41, p. 49, England. www.howitworksdaily.com)

The Holy Qur’an in the following verses says that night and day are signs of Allah:

“He is the Cleaver of the daybreak; and He has made the night for rest, and the sun and the moon for

reckoning. That is the measuring of the Mighty, the Knowing” (6:96).

“And We made the night and the day two signs, then We have made the sign of the night to pass away

and We have made the sign of the day manifest, so that you may seek grace from your Lord, and that

you may know the numbering of years and the reckoning. And We have explained everything with

distinctness” (17:12).

“And made your sleep for rest, and made the night a covering, and made the day for seeking livelihood”

(78:9-11).

The physical phenomenon now discovered by scientists about how night and day, which work in bringing sleep

during night and energy and alertness to the body during day, has been beautifully explained in a simple and

unscientific manner in the above-quoted verses of the Qur’an.

Life after Death in World Scriptures Jalal Ud Dean, Fiji

(Interfaith Search Fiji held its regular monthly meeting on 10th December, 2012 at Tappoo City Functions Centre, Suva, Fiji.

The topic was “Understanding Life After Death as in Our Scriptures.” It was sponsored by the Satya Sai Organisation.

Papers were presented by the following mainstream Faith groups: Satya Sai Organisation, AMJ Fiji, Ahmadiyya Anjuman

Ishaat-i-Islam (Lahore) Fiji, Baha’i Faith, Catholic Church, Sikh Association of Fiji & Samabula Gurdwara, Sanatan Dharm

Pratinidhi Sabha of Fiji, and Hare Krishna. The following points were reflections and significant features of papers

presented and group discussions and these have been compiled by the Interfaith Search Fiji in the form of an article that

has been published in The Island Express – Ed.)

Muslim view: Life after death is the ultimate destination for each individual after living through material life on

earth. Man’s period on earth is a period of performance and compliance of divine commandments as stated in

the Holy Qur’an. According to Islam, after death there is the intervening period of “Barzakh” or an

intermediate state until the Day of Resurrection. Islam also teaches that no soul can return to the present

worldly body after death. Forgiveness should be sought before this life comes to end with death. The Holy

Qur’an says that death Barzakh is a barrier which cannot be breached until the Day of Judgement. When the

trumpet shall be blown, all souls will be called up for permanent judgement. Every soul shall be responsible

and accountable for his/her deeds and misdeeds. Mankind has been continuously warned by prophets and

guidance has been provided through scriptures revealed through them. Punishment in Hell is not forever. It will

be according to the evil acts done in the worldly life. The Qur’an clearly negates the idea of a perpetual cycle of

punishment for salvation, for it clearly states that “the punishment of an evil is the like thereof” (10:27). And

after serving the sentence, the soul shall be transferred to Heaven. The life in Heaven shall be “everlasting”

(Qur’an, 11:108).

Sikh view: The doctrine of the Shri Guru Granth Sahib is concerned with the life on earth only and rejects the

concept of an afterlife. Salvation, therefore, must be attained in this life. According to the Granth Sahib,

salvation is liberation (mukti) from falsehood, ignorance, prejudice, superstition and moral degradation.

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Salvation is attained by living an ethical and truthful life. Accordingly, to guard against moral degradation and

unethical ways one is not required to give up worldly possessions and to shirk individual and social

responsibility or to live a life of suffering and discomfort. The Granth Sahib repeatedly emphasises that instead

of seeking solace in salvation after death, mankind should focus on adopting ethical virtues and selflessly

serving humanity while being alive here on earth.

Christian view: No human being has ever seen, heard or can imagine the glorious gifts that God has prepared

for those who love Him. If only mankind knew this, they would not have crucified Jesus Christ. The outcomes of

life after death are contingent upon the deeds and misdeeds of mankind in this world. An example of this is the

story in the Bible of Lazarus and the rich man. Ultimately, when Lazarus and the rich man both died, the rich

man was sent to hell where he was being tormented in the fire, whilst the angels mercifully carried Lazarus to

Heaven. It was explained to the rich man that during their material life on earth, the rich man lived a life of

luxury and had no consideration for the poor. Now, after their death, he saw that Lazarus was rewarded by the

angels. The rich man then pleaded for repentance for himself and his relatives but was informed that the Law

of Moses and the Prophets were already there for them to follow. (The Bible)

Baha’i view: According to the Baha’i faith there is life after death, when the soul leaves the body upon material

death and acquires a new spiritual birth. This after-death state will continue until the soul acquires a presence

before God. Nothing in this world can alter what has been decreed by God and all souls shall appear before

Him. All the souls shall be given a new life and no living being can imagine or describe what that new life will

be. Prophets and Messengers have been sent down to humanity to guide them to the path of Truth, so that

after death every soul shall be asked to account for his deeds before His Creator, the Most High. The secrets of

the new life after death and what await them are not known to anybody. All souls shall be gathered in an

assembly before God. (Kitab-i Aqdas)

Hindu view: Mankind can earn good and bad scores in life depending on the circumstances. Man is like a

pilgrim who sets on a long journey – it starts with birth and ends with death. But in order to purge himself from

sin, he has to undergo through different cycles of life according to his deeds till he attains the final salvation.

And in that final state he shall meet the Divine. Karma is the law of cause and effect depending on one’s deeds

in whatever state of life one is and earns spiritual opportunities.

The Satya Sai Organisation believes in the concept of reincarnation (the Vedas). It is an important principle of

Hinduism. There are three reasons for mankind to be re-born for salvation: (1) sin; (2) unfulfilled desires, and

(3) lack of knowledge. Mankind is reborn to experience the consequences.

Reincarnation in Hinduism is called samsara or transmigration of the souls. Even at birth, the new born is

subjected to his/her past life or past karma. Karma refers not only to the physical activity of persons but also to

the state of mind, and it continues to be reflected in the next life. Hence life should be lived according to the

dharma.

Moksha means rebirth and the new cycle of the samsara. Rebirth is not mentioned in the Vedas. The Vedas

make no mention of the concept of transmigration or reincarnation. It is mentioned only in the Bhagvad Gita.

Punarjanam means life after death. It in no way means coming to earth again and again as a living creature.

The concept of rebirths was developed only after the Vedic period. Although, according to Hinduism there are

repeated births and deaths for the soul, but at the same time the soul is unborn, eternal and ever-existing. The

material body has to die to be reborn into another and this cycle goes on forever. There will be a last stage in

the cycle of births and deaths as there is an end to material living in this world.

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Hazrat Ameer Dr A. K. Saeed in Holland

Yasir Aziz MBA (Sweden)

After a successful Convention in Suriname, Hazrat Ameer arrived in Holland on November 21, 2012 at noon

from Paramaribo. I, my brother Mudassar Aziz, and Br. A. S. Hoeseni, President of Stichting Ahmadiyya

Anjuman, The Hague, received Hazrat Ameer at the Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam.

From there Br. A. S. Hoeseni drove us to Almere and we had lunch with his family. As it was arranged that

Hazrat Ameer would stay at the house of Br. Sheikh Qasim, President of The Hague Jama‘at, we went there

after lunch and made ourselves comfortable. As Sheikh Qasim was away in Suriname in connection with the

Convention so during his absence initially we stayed at his house but most of the time we were at the house of

Br. A. S.. Hoeseni.

On the first day, after Hazrat Ameer had had a tiring flight of eight hours, we wanted him to rest before the

activities began. However, despite his long journey, Hazrat Ameer had a meeting with an ex-Board member of

Amsterdam Jama‘at and was briefed about the activities.

The Rotterdam Jama‘at held a Jalsa organised on 22 November. This time, too, we went to Rotterdam with

Br. A.S. Hoeseni, who had dedicated his time exclusively for Hazrat Ameer. May Allah reward him for all the

care and hospitality he and his wife Sis. Safoera Hoeseni showed during Hazrat Ameer’s stay in Holland. The

Jalsa in Rotterdam was successful. It included a brief question and answer session after Hazrat Ameer’s speech.

Mr Haroen Badloe translated his speech into Dutch. A dinner with Surinamese dishes was later served.

November 23, 2012 was a Friday. The Stichting Ahmadiyya Anjuman, The Hague had arranged for the Friday

sermon to be delivered by Hazrat Ameer. He spoke on the topic “Islam, the religion of peace, and my

perspective”. It was well-received.

After the Friday service there was a brief Jalsa. It started with a recitation from the Holy Quran by Yasir Aziz.

Then Hazrat Ameer gave a short and impressive discourse on the “Importance of the Pledge (Bai´at)” which Br.

Haroen Badloe later translated into Dutch. Yasir Aziz also delivered a short talk on “The duties to Allah and

rights of people”. This was followed by a short question/answer session. At the end, a delicious lunch was

served.

In the evening Hazrat Ameer had a meeting with Board members from all the Jama‘ats and discussed with

them their future activities and advised them on different issues. After a successful day in The Hague, we

returned to Br. A. S. Hoeseni’s residence.

On 24th November, the Amsterdam Jama‘at had a Jalsa arranged for the evening. Br. Bakhsh Ullah had invited

Hazrat Ameer for lunch at his home in Almere. The delicious lunch was prepared by Br. Bakhsh Ullah’s family.

Br. Nadeem who hails from Okara and now lives in Holland also joined us for lunch. We performed Zuhr and

Asr prayers and afterwards Hazrat Ameer went to meet Mrs Atiya Keeskamp (widow of the late Haji Keeskamp)

at her residence near Amsterdam. She was very grateful that Hazrat Ameer had visited her despite his very

busy schedule and asked him to pray for her good health as she was not keeping well.

After the visit we headed towards Amsterdam with Br. Nadeem. Before the Jalsa stared, dinner was served.

After dinner, Hazrat Ameer delivered his speech and again stressed on the importance of the Pledge (Bai´at).

The President of the Amsterdam Jama‘at, Br. Henk Nasser, had specially requested Hazrat Ameer to emphasise

the importance of the Bai´at. Here again, Br. Haroen Badloe translated Hazrat Ameer´s speech into Dutch. After

his talk, Hazrat Ameer mingled with the members of the Jama‘at and everyone was happy that they had met

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Hazrat Ameer personally and apprised him of their problems and discussed their future plans for the

betterment of their respective Jama‘ats. Around 22:30 we went back to Almere with Br. Hoeseni and reached

there at almost midnight.

The next day Hazrat Ameer had the flight to leave for England. Br. A. S. Hoeseni and many of us went to the

airport to see Hazrat Ameer off.

Hazrat Ameer´s visit to Holland was very fruitful this time and he was happy for the positive response from all

the executives and members of the various Jama‘ats he had visited.

Brief Life Profiles...

Suyud Ahmad Syurayuda, Indonesia Br. Cecep Fuad Mukhlis (Son)

Br. Suyud Ahmad Syurayuda was born in 1952 in Malangbong Garut, West Java, Indonesia. According to some

verbal accounts he was a descendant of the royal family called Kasunanan Cirebon, as his great-grandfather

was the brother of the king of Cirebon, who was deputed to have spread Islam in Garut. His father Zakaria was

a physician in his native village and also a religious figure. It is related that he was proficient in three languages,

namely Dutch, English and Arabic. His father was also very close to the Karto Suwiryo, an Islamic movement

against the government’s Daarul Islam or Islamic Army of Indonesia (DI/TII). Br. Suyud Ahmad’s father belonged

to the Qadian section of the Ahmadiyya Movement.

My father became orphan when

he was between two to five

months. His father was against

the Government forces and was

caught and shot dead.

Suyud Ahmad moved from one

school to another. He passed his

primary school in Garut in only

four years and his junior high

school in two years because of

his extraordinary intelligence.

Similarly, he acquired a high

proficiency in the Arabic

language from the Madrassah

Assafiiyah in Jakarta.

The first time he came to know of Ahmadis was from his brother, Mansur Basuki, who later became General

Secretary of the Indonesia Anjuman in Jogyakarta, Indonesia. He used to have discussions about religion with

his brother Mansour as he could understand and translate the Arabic text of the Qur'an. My father was very

disappointed with his brother Mansour Basuki not knowing the Arabic language. Still, however, his discussions

with Br. Basuki finally attracted him towards the Ahmadiyya Movement and he underwent training as a

mubaligh in Yogyakarta from 1975-1976.

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In 1976 he married Ai Pipin

Sofia and had five children:

Cecep Fuad Mukhlis, Iis

Cahya Lestari, Basharat

Asgar Ali, Halida Eka

Sofiawati, and Ibnu Ghulam

Tufail.

In 1980 he continued his

religious education about

the Ahmadiyya Movement

in Lahore, Pakistan. From

there he went to Trinidad

and Tobago to have

practical training in tabligh

work in the West under the

tutorship of the late

Maulana S. Muhammad

Tufail.

Besides his articles in the Jama‘at’s periodicals in the Indonesian language, he assisted in the translation work

of the following English books into Indonesian:

1. Indonesian translation of the Holy Qur’an (by Maulana Muhammad Ali) by H.M. Bachrun

2. Islamology (The Religion of Islam by Maulana Muhammad Ali)

3. Muhammad the Prophet (by Maulana Muhammad Ali)

4. Introduction to Islam (by Dr Zahid Aziz)

5. Jesus Died in Kashmir (by Faber Kaesar).

Addressing the audience during an International Convention in Suriname

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International Convention in Surimane

At interfaith service in Trindad with (L-R) Moulvi

Mohammed Rasheed (Guyana), Maulana S. M.

Tufail (UK), Maulana Kemal Hydal (Trinidad),Br.

Suyud (Indonesia) Sh. Mian Farooq Ahmad

(Pakistan), Mr Abdul Aziz (Kashmir) and Mr. Enayat

Mohammed (Trinidad)

Br. Suyud with Master Muhammad Abdullah of

California, USA (seated)

“I will not suffer the work of any worker among you to be lost whether male or female, the one of you being from the other. So those who fled and were driven forth from their homes and

persecuted in My way and who fought and were slain, I shall truly remove their evil and make them enter Gardens wherein flow rivers — a reward from Allah. And with Allah is the best

reward.” (3:195).

“Your striving is surely (for) diverse (ends). Then as for him who gives and keeps his duty, And accepts what is good — We facilitate for him (the way to) ease” (92:4-7).

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Br. Selim Ahmed B.A. (Hons.), London, UK

Br. Selim Ahmed is of English parentage and was born in England in 1949 as the second of two children,

being originally named Paul Johnson. He was born in Isleworth and grew up in Ealing, where his sister, ten

years older than him, assisted in his early nurture and remained close to him in the family home until her

marriage in 1957.

His interest in languages and graduation

From 1960 until 1967 he attended a local grammar school, where his strongest subjects of study were

languages. He passed examinations in Latin, French and Spanish, but also, while still attending grammar

school, undertook unassisted private studies at home in Classical Greek, German, and other languages and

branches of learning using whatever resources were available to him at home, at school and in the local

public library.

Until his own generation, his family had no history of grammar-school admission or of any secondary-level

education beyond the required minimum, much less of entry into the professions. This necessarily placed

him at a disadvantage as far as his secondary education and career prospects were concerned. His father,

however – who taught his son to read and write at the age of three – had read widely and was a man of

practical skills, creative talents and a philosophical turn of mind, whose interests and personal qualities

made a profound and lasting impression on his son.

When applying for university places he thought it prudent to choose from a narrow range of less popular

subjects that also happened to be closely allied to his own interests and aptitudes, with the result that he

came to be enrolled in the Department of Hebrew and Jewish studies at University College London for a

four-year course, at the end of which he graduated with a BA Honours degree. His choice of subjects was

motivated both by his interest in languages and linguistics, and by his long-standing concern with

questions of religion and the relationship between the religious and the scientific world-views.

Into the fold of Islam

In 1971 he acquired a copy of Maulana Muhammad Ali’s English Translation of the Holy Quran with

Commentary, which impressed him with its logical, systematic approach and inspiring vision of Islam.

Some years later, when he was introduced to Mrs Akhtar Aziz, her husband Mr Aziz Ahmad, and their

daughter Samina, he was interested to learn that there was a close family connection to Maulana

Muhammad Ali, which encouraged him to consider both embracing Islam and entering into marriage with

Samina Aziz. In June 1980, he professed the kalimah at the hands of the late Muhammad Ahmad, son of

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Maulana Muhammad Ali, who was visiting England at that time, and was married to Samina Aziz in July of

that year, the nikah being conducted by Dr A. K. Saeed, later to become Amir of the Ahmadiyya Anjuman

Isha‘at Islam, Lahore. Sadly, Samina was not destined to enjoy good health and was eventually diagnosed

in 1989 as suffering from multiple sclerosis.

A caring husband and son-in-law

Towards the end of 2002, when Samina was beginning to lose her mobility, Selim Ahmed became his

wife’s full-time carer. By the end of 2006 she was no longer able to bear her own weight. At that time his

wife’s widowed mother, Mrs Akhtar Aziz, daughter of Maulana Abdul Haq Vidyarthi, in whose house Selim

Ahmed’s wife was now living and being cared for by her husband, had herself recently suffered a stroke

which left her significantly disabled and in similar need of care until her eventual passing in January 2013.

His literary contributions

In 1998, the revised and corrected text of a part of the enlarged Second Edition of Muhammad in World

Scriptures by Maulana Abdul Haq Vidyarthi, was published in the United States of America, consisting of

material relating to the Bible and published as Volume 1 of a projected new edition of that title. The

Editorial Note acknowledges: “In dealing with the scriptural Hebrew and Greek words and expressions

occurring plentifully in this book, and also the references to other classical languages, it must be

acknowledged that the work of misprint correction, revision and typesetting would have been impossible

but for the fact that the second-named of the Editors below [i.e., Selim Ahmed, the first-named being Dr

Zahid Aziz] is well-conversant with these languages …. Besides checking and correcting misprints in the

transliterated expressions from these languages, rendering the transliteration according to modern rules,

and doing general checking wherever these languages were involved, Selim Ahmed has also typeset all the

Hebrew and Greek passages that appear in this book.”

From 1999 onwards, further material from the Second Edition of Muhammad in World Scriptures was

revised, corrected and edited by Selim Ahmed and Dr Zahid Aziz and published in 2005 as an independent

volume under the title Allah – The Unique Name of God: Research into the names of God in over 150

languages of the world. This title was published by The Ahmadiyya Muslim Literary Trust, Trinidad and

Tobago on behalf of the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Isha‘at Islam, Lahore (UK). In revising, correcting and editing

this material, Selim Ahmed spared no effort or expense in tracking down and consulting books and articles

necessary for checking and verifying quotations and references. He carried out almost all of this work from

home, relying heavily on the Internet for the purposes of research, e-mail correspondence, postal

borrowing of books from the London Library and, if necessary, purchasing books and photocopies

outright. His local central library also proved to be a valuable resource, and Dr Zahid Aziz solved numerous

problems by checking volumes available in the library of Nottingham University. Selim Ahmed’s familiarity

both with a wide range of languages and scripts and with aspects of relevant academic disciplines were

indispensable qualifications for ensuring that this material could be revised and republished to the highest

possible standard of accuracy and completeness. He typeset the diacritical marks and other special

characters required throughout the text and footnotes, extended some of the quoted extracts for the sake

of clarity or providing fuller information, incorporated fresh explanatory material into the footnotes and

typeset all words and quotations in Greek, Hebrew and Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Other published material to which Selim Ahmed has contributed includes the volume Eid Sermons at the

Shah Jehan Mosque, Woking – England, 1931–1940 (compiled and edited by Nasir Ahmad BA, LL.B.,

published by the Aftab-ud-Din Memorial Benevolent Trust, Lahore, Pakistan, 2002), for which he typeset

the Contents list, the introductory material on pages i–lxxii, and the list of guests on pages 207–209, and

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Sermons of Maulavi Ahmad Ali (compiled and edited by A. S. Hoeseni, The Netherlands, 2012), which he

sub-edited and typeset, frequently consulting the Urdu original for the purposes of checking and revision.

He has, in addition, made numerous contributions to other projects of research and publication

undertaken by members of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement, for example, by contributing notes,

translations and comments and furnishing references to source material. Such contributions include up-

to-date references and quotations for the ‘Brief Chronological Survey of Research’ by Mr Nasir Ahmad,

Editor, The Light, Lahore, included as introductory material in the Indian revised reprint of Jesus in Heaven

On Earth by Al-Hajj Khwaja Nazir Ahmad (Bombay [Mumbai], Dar-ul-Isha‘at-Kutub-E-Islamia, n.d.) and as

an Appendix in the subsequent American edition (First USA Edition, Columbus, Ahmadiyya Anjuman

Isha‘at Islam Lahore Inc., 1998).

Mrs Nazhat Shameem, Fiji First Goodwill Ambassador for Women by the Fiji Government

Mrs Nazhat Shameem was born in Fiji in November, 1960. She attended the Suva Grammar School and

went to the United States to pursue her studies in Law and Criminology.

She is a graduate of Sussex University, and Cambridge University, and is a barrister of the Inner Temple

London.

She has practised as a lawyer in Fiji since 1983, and has served as a prosecutor, as Director of Public

Prosecutions, and as a High Court judge. She was the first woman in Fiji to be made Director of Public

Prosecutions, and the first woman High Court judge in Fiji. She is currently in private practice, and

specialises in conducting training for lawyers and the corporate world on legal skills and governance.

She has published extensively on gender justice, on human trafficking law, on the rights of children, and

on corporate governance.

She is Fiji’s Goodwill Ambassador, and in that capacity will be speaking publicly on gender justice and

gender equality in Fiji and abroad. She is especially interested in the role of the law in the context of

society, and in issues of access to justice by the vulnerable and disadvantaged.

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Education and professional experience

Suva Infants School: 1965-1967. Veiuto Primary School: 1967-1969. Suva Grammar School: 1969-1977.

Auckland Girls Grammar School: 1977-1978. University of Sussex, United Kingdom: 1978-1981. Bachelor of

Arts (Law) (Honours). University of Cambridge: 1981-1982. Master of Laws (Law of International Institutions,

Law of Armed Conflict, Administrative Law, Civil Liberties.) Inns of Court School of Law (Inner Temple): 1982-

1983. Made Barrister of England and Wales of Inner Temple. University of Cambridge: Institute of

Criminology: 1987-1988. Master of Philosophy (Criminology). Barrister of England & Wales (Inner Temple)

1983. Barrister & Solicitor, High Court of Fiji (1984). From Legal Officer in the Department of Public

Prosecutor’s office in 1984 she rose to the position of Puisne Judge in the High Court of Fiji in 1999.

In May 2009 Fiji’s Constitution was abrogated by the President of Fiji and all members of Fiji’s judiciary were

dismissed from office. A new judiciary was appointed in July 2009. She did not seek re-appointment.

Jama‘at News…

The Religion of Islam in Indonesian reprinted Report by Erwan Hamdani, Jakarta

The Indonesia Jama‘at has recently published a revised edition of the Indonesian translation of The

Religion of Islam. It may be recalled that it was the Indonesia Jama‘at which was the first to translate and

publish the English translation of the Qur’an (1934) and The Religion of Islam (1938) in Dutch. The late

lamented Br. Soedewo accomplished these stupendous literary works singlehandedly. It is obvious that

the Dutch translation of The Religion of Islam was published just after two years of its original English

version. Its fresh and revised edition has been published in Holland in 2005 by the Stichting Ahmadiyya

Anjuman, The Hague.

After Indonesia gained independence from Dutch colonial occupation in August 1949, the Dutch language

no longer remained the national language of Indonesia. There was, therefore, an urgent need of rendering

these two and other works into the Indonesian language. The Religion of Islam by Maulana Muhammad

Ali was jointly translated into Indonesian by Br. R. Kaelan and Br. H. M. Bachrun and was published in

1977. So far, eight editions have been published. Recently, a thoroughly revised and newly-typeset edition

has been published by the Publication Department of the Indonesia Jama‘at in Jakarta. Br. Bambang

Dharmaputra, Chairman, along with other colleagues, is actively engaged in bringing out new publications.

The Book Depot has undertaken to reprint The Living Thoughts of Prophet Muhammad by Maulana

Muhammad Ali. It will be followed by the publication in one volume of Para 30 of the Indonesian

translation of the Urdu translation and commentary of the Qur’an by Dr Basharat Ahmad, viz. Anwarul

Quran. The translation is based on the English translation of the Commentary rendered by Bro. Kalam

Azad Mohammed and Nasir Ahmad and published by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Literary Trust, Trinidad and

Tobago.

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What our Readers Say…

J. U. Dean, Suva, Fiji

Tribute to Mrs Akhtar Aziz

Dear Editor

HOPE Bulletin Team

Assalaamu'Alaikum.

Thank you very much for the latest issue with full dedicated coverage on the life of the late Mrs Akhtar Aziz, as

a special tribute.

Having read the Bulletin twice, I feel that she not only went through some very difficult time which she faced

with faith ... but was able to keep her families well-maintained with all necessities of life, including the best in

self-driven education. On a comparative note, I cannot think of another lady in Fiji who has done the same as

Mrs Akhtar and further wonder if Pakistan has another lady who has done the same so far?

Certainly she makes an excellent role model for Muslim women of the day, bearing in mind the negativity that

some Muslims are having for the advancement of girls and women in Muslim-dominated Asian countries. Her

sons and daughter are shining examples of what she was able to achieve by giving them that necessary

encouragement.

Congratulations to Ms Nazhat Shameem, Fiji

Our highly respected sister of AAII(L) Fiji and a close relative of mine, Ms Nazhat Shameem, has been

appointed as Fiji’s first Goodwill Ambassador for Women by the Fiji Government. We are indeed very proud for

this meritorious appointment. Her appointment is an honour to the small but devoted and zealous minority

group of Ahmjadiyya Muslims (AAIIL) of Fiji. We really admire and highly appreciate her brilliant academic and

professional achievements and above all her sterling reputation, honesty, integrity and humility. We heartily

congratulate her, her family and the members of the Jama‘at for earning this great honour and elevation to

this high position of representing the Government on of Fiji on International forums. I’m certain that her

husband Mr Aslam Khan, son Khizar, and daughter Siffat, mother-in-law Mrs Khan, and all sisters of Ms.

Shameem are equally proud.

On behalf of the family, AAII(L) and friends, I’m extending our sincere congratulations to Nazhat:

Congratulations! You have earned great honour for yourself, your family, relatives, our Jama‘at, and all friends.

May Allah bless you with health and happiness and much more success in your profession.

Continuation of The HOPE Bulletin

Thank you very much for keeping the HOPE Bulletin in circulation as before. After the unexpected demise of Br

Akbar Abdullah, editor of our much-loved and awaited HOPE Bulletin, we were very concerned about its future.

I am sure all readers are happy to see and to read the HOPE Bulletin with new format and more features. Once

again a very special thanks to the HOPE Bulletin editorial team.

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The general composition of the February 2013 HOPE Bulletin is excellent and full of some really nice religious

information, which is liked by young and old alike.

I appreciate the introduction of the life profile series which the HOPE Bulletin has just started. It is a good effort

in bringing closer the small but dedicated members of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement spread in various

parts of the world.

In the news and contributions we come across some names on a regular basis but we but do not know them by

faces. In this way the introduction of such faces with details about their life and achievements creates a sense

of belonging.

Please keep the contributions in the HOPE Bulletin lively by adding photos and life profiles.

Shahid Aziz, UK

Dear Editor HOPE Bulletin

Assalamu alaikum.

Thank you for the Feb 2013 issue of HOPE. The lives of Mrs Aziz and Br Akbar Abdullah are reminders that one

should not become disheartened in the face of adversity but do one’s best to overcome it. Also, that if every

individual helped the Jama‘at in the best way he can we will make tremendous progress.

The Jama‘at not only needs scholars, orators and writers but also people with other skills. Whoever you are,

whatever you are, do contribute your knowledge, experience and expertise to further the cause of the

Movement.

I hope we will derive inspiration from the lives of these two devoted members of the Jama‘at and the elders

who have gone before.

Siddiqa Sadiq, Montreal, Canada

In a week or so people will observe the first of April as April Fools’ Day. On that

day people plan many ways and devices to make fool of others. Sometimes

such unexpected “surprises” are shocking and turn into tragic incidents. Such

apparently ‘innocent’ traditional practices originate from some historic events

which are aimed to humiliate a community, an individual, or a nation. Similar is

the case with April Fools’ Day.

I did a little research about it, read views of various Muslim historians and religious scholars, and have put

together facts and different “reasons” why to observe April Fools’ Day is absolutely undesirable and is to make

fools of ourselves.

According to Encyclopaedia Britannica, the first day of April and its custom of playing practical jokes have an

unknown origin. It resembles the Hilaria of Ancient Rome and the Holi festival of Hindus (both of which happen

in the last week of March). All these “events” also relate to the timing of the vernal equinox when there is a

sudden change in the weather, almost like nature “fooling” mankind.

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According to a website, www.turntoislam.com, there is a conspiracy related to the origin of April Fools’ Day. It

goes something like this: Around a thousand years ago, Spain was ruled by Muslims. The rule was so strong,

that it couldn’t be destabilised. The Christians of the West wished to wipe out this very flourishing and

progressive kingdom of Islam. They tried several times but never succeeded. They sent their spies to Spain to

study the Muslims there and find out what was the secret of their power and how it could be weakened. They

discovered that their power was taqwa or righteousness. The rulers were just, generous and tolerant. The

Muslims of Spain were practicing Muslims. They not only read the Quran but also acted upon it. They avoided

all forbidden things in Islam and lived a peaceful life. People belonging to other religions were enjoying

freedom of all kinds.

The Christians tried to find a strategy to break this power. They started sending alcohol and cigarettes to Spain,

free of cost. This started weakening the morals of the Muslims and eventually the rulers became indulgent in

frivolous enjoyments. Corruption and immorality weakened the morale of the Government machinery and the

armed forces. Consequently, the Christian opponents found opportunities of disrupting the structure of the

kingdom, and continuous attacks and their fallouts badly affected the political and economic structure of the

country. Ultimately, the Christian unified forces were able to wipe out the 700-years-rule of the Muslims in

Spain. The surrender of the last post of the Muslim Granada happened on the first of April. From that year

onwards, they celebrated that day every year for being successful in making fun of the whole Muslim Ummah

by annexing the glorious rule in Spain depriving them of the wonderful architecture which is still one of the

wonders of the world.

According to www.ummah.com, “We have to learn from the debacle of Muslims at Spain and always try to

adhere to the teachings of Islam and never allow our faith to be weakened again.” It doesn’t matter what the

origins of April Fool’s Day is, but what is important is to always remember that Islam despises to celebrate it in

any manner. It promotes falsehood, mockery and creates mistrust and dissension in the society.

Surprisingly, on this day sometimes dangerous jokes are perpetrated which cause tragic incidents. This cannot

be allowed in any decent society.

I do not feel myself in a position to give any verdict. But as a Muslim mother, I feel my responsibility to explain

to my children what is clearly against the teachings of Islam and why such bad and ridiculous practices should

not be promoted by celebrating them on a special day.

The 40th

chapter of the Holy Quran, The Believer, clearly says: “Indeed, Allah does not guide one who is a

transgressor and a liar” (40:28).

Again, Allah has strongly condemned ridiculing and giving bad names to others: “O you who believe, let not

people laugh at people, perchance they may be better than they; nor let women (laugh) at women, perchance

they may be better than they. Neither find fault with your own people, nor call one another by nick names. Evil

is a bad name after faith; and whoso turns not, these it is that are iniquitous” (49:11).

If Allah does not like lies or ridiculing others or giving them bad names, why should we celebrate anything

which encourages or promotes lying or ridiculing?

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Maulvi Fazal Haq Sahib leaves for Pakistan

Our regular contributor, Br. Jalal Ud Dean from Fiji, informs us of the following:

Maulana Fazal Haq Sahib and his good wife Najma will be going back to Lahore, Pakistan after Maulana Fazal

Haq Sahib’s serving as Imam at the Noor Masjid, Suva, Fiji for several years.

The Jama‘at has made arrangements at the Mosque to celebrate their Birthday on Jumu‘ah 1st March 2013,

which will provide a special privilege for members of the Jama‘at to celebrate their birthday and also to bid

both a hearty farewell.

Incidentally, the Jumu‘ah will be the last official performance in which Maulana Fazal Haq Sahib and his wife

Najma Haq Sahiba will take part before flying out of Fiji and back to Pakistan early the next morning, Saturday

2nd March 2013.

They will be sadly missed by the large Ahmadiyya community and members of Interfaith Search Fiji

participants.

So, Happy Birthday to Fazal Sahib and Najma Haq Sahiba from all of us in AAII(L) Fiji.

May Allah grant them many happy birthdays and bless them with a long life.

Mrs Galida Badoella, Suriname

Dear Editors

HOPE Bulletin team,

Assalamu alaikum.

Thank you for giving us HOPE and to live in HOPE. Thank you also for all the news and information about our

Jama‘ats in the world. I read it with great interest. You are doing a great job. May Allah bless you all. My best

wishes and prayers to the team of HOPE Bulletin and Allah may grant you strength and conviction to continue it

and bring to us knowledge about Islam and news about our brothers and sisters who are contributing with

devotion for the cause of Islam. And may Allah grant patience and forbearance to those who have lost their

dear and loved ones recently.

I very much appreciate the motto ISLAM stands for: I Shall Love All Mankind. I also have an idea about the first

letters of the word Islam. It is as follows:

I for IMAAN

S for SALAAH

L for LOVE

A for ALLAH

M for MUHAMMAD

IMAAN or belief in Allah helps to seek His grace and blessings through SALAAH. LOVE for Allah prompts us to

do good deeds by following the commandments of Allah and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace and

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blessings of Allah be on him). LOVE also generates peace and happiness in the society. Follow the

commandments of ALLAH and His Messenger, the Holy Prophet MUHAMMAD and earn an ever-lasting life here

in this world and in the Hereafter.

May Allah bless you all.

Ahmad Nawaz, Hayward, California I have just finished reading the February 2013 issue of the HOPE Bulletin dedicated to the memory of the late

Br. Akbar Abdullah. I must say that your team has worked very hard to collect facts about the life and

contributions made by our late Br. Akbar. The formatting of the Bulletin and photographs have made it very

impressive and visual. Br. Akbar deserved such a beautiful dedication.

I wish to congratulate you for making the Bulletin more than just a news bulletin.

The brief life history of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas) by our new sister in the fold of Islam, Christiane

Backer, is very impressive and shows how his Perfect Example has inspired her thoughts and behaviour. I am

sure her book “From MTV to Mecca” must be worth reading. Thanks for introducing the autobiography of a

highly popular figure in the Western media, who, by her own study, has adopted Islam, and is facing challenges

with firm faith and conviction.

CONTACT INFORMATION

The HOPE Bulletin

E-mail address: thehopebulletin@hotmail.com

ISLAM stands for: I SHALL LOVE ALL MANKIND