Nawaa`e Waqfe Nau Vol. 1 Issue 6 July/ August 2011 Waqfe Nau USA Newsletter Ameer Jama`at USA Dr. Ahsanullah Zafar Na ib Ameer & Missionary In Charge Maulana Naseem Mahdi National Secretary Waqfe Nau Hafiz Samiullah Chaudhary Chief Editor Imran Jattala Editors Mansoor Ahmad Madiha Qureshi Special Issue Jalsa Salana USA 2011 Jalsa Salana USA was held on July 1st- 3rd in Harrisburg Pennsylvania at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex Please send any information regarding Waqfe Nau to wnnewsletter@waqfenau.us Online Waqfe Nau Classes www.blogtalkradio.com/waqfenau www.waqfenau.us In This Issue Jalsa Salana USA 2011 1 Summary - Friday Sermon Jalsa Salana UK 4 Jalsa Salana USA 5 Waqfe Nau Stall/ New Jamia Students Waqfe Nau Rededication 7 Waqfe Nau Class at Jalsa USA 8 Waqfe Nau Class Continued / Book of the Month Ijtema Report 10 Introductions/Reminders/Events 11 2 6 9 Fasting is regarded as a physical, moral and spiritual discipline for the purpose of promoting righteousness. Huzur ABA further said that when a person who is fasting responds to an abuse by saying that as they are fasting they will not respond in kind, it does not mean that after breaking the fast they are at liberty to retaliate, not at all. Huzur ABA said fasting is a training process during which one is trained to eschew bad habits for good.
Waqfe Nau Newsletter USA Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V aba s Friday Sermon Summary Sense of Gratitude for Jalsa Salana Delivered by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad ABA, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on July 1, 2011 Hudhur ABA recited the following Quranic verse at the start of his sermon: Therefore remember Me, and I will remember you; and be thankful to Me and do not be ungrateful to Me. (2:153) Reflecting on the Jalsa Salana of German Jama at which concluded last weekend, Hudhur ABA said due to the Jalsa taking place at a new venue this year the German Ameer sahib and the management were excited and certainly the Jama at members must have also felt it. The previous venue had only one hall, the capacity of which was getting small and the marquee that had to be erected for the ladies used to get very hot during warm weather, especially for young mothers. The new venue has large halls which are all airconditioned and other facilities are also available; hence the happiness and the excitement. However, in spite of all the arrangements under one roof everyone also had concerns. This was natural. It is a believer s distinction to have concerns lest one s personal preferences or human failings become a source of any mishap. With God s special grace, in spite of their keenness, the management kept turning to God. The Jalsa Officer sahib repeatedly asked Hudhur ABA for prayers. This indeed is the glory of a believer, that rather than associate everything to oneself, one associates it to God and seeks His help. In addition, Jalsa is something that was initiated by Divine command and God does bless it. Hudhur ABA said some wonder if any shortcoming or deficiency remained due to the venue being new. The intention of the management is good and God covers faults and indeed, He did. For this the management should be extremely grateful to God. Today Jalsa takes place in the entire Ahmadiyya world. Almost all year round Jalsa takes place somewhere or the other. Last weekend it was the German Jalsa and this weekend the Jalsa of USA and Canada are taking place. The concerns of here will now be the concerns and prayers of USA and Canadian management, indeed, they should be. If the Jalsa attendees understand these concerns and rather than act like guests, become part of the system, the concerns can lessen. It is God s grace that the attendees are helpful with their attitude and their prayers and here in Germany, they extended full cooperation. May God make it so that each attendee in USA and Canada also participates fully benefitting from the spiritual sustenance and tries to understand the objective of our creation so that we may take the mission of the Promised Messiah AS forward. Jalsa should not be just about meeting up with friends and chatting. With God s grace, now the standard of Jalsa speeches everywhere has improved a lot; may the attendees fully benefit from them. As the USA and Canadian Jalsa are starting today, and these are two large Jama ats, Hudhur ABA mentioned them as well. However, Hudhur ABA wished to speak with reference to gratitude as he traditionally does after he has graced a Jalsa. Hudhur ABA said it was impossible to encompass God s blessings and grace on our Community. While in Germany it was afternoon, the day was starting in America; the sun is shining on our Community around the clock. Each day passes exhibiting new subjects of gratitude. Hudhur ABA remarked how can we be grateful to God? The Promised Messiah AS said, thankfulness for you is in effect, Taqwa (righteousness) and purity I give you the gladtiding that you are on the frontier and none can overcome you. Hudhur ABA said each Ahmadi who attended Jalsa should always try and enhance the standard of Taqwa. According to His promise to the Promised Messiah AS God is going to grant triumph to him. The significance here is that if we adhere to Taqwa, we can be part of the promised triumph. Ahmadis in USA, Canada or the rich countries of Europe should remember that the tool of our triumph is not coming to the West, neither is it the comforts nor the wealth of these places. It is also not worldly efforts. Rather, enhancing in Taqwa is our tool. This few days training each year that God asked the Promised Messiah AS to carry out is to wash away any corrosion. It is so that people may gather and recharge their faith, so that they can satisfy themselves academically and advance in spirituality. A week after the successful German Jalsa, merely its mention should not remain; that such and such speech was good and such and such nazm was good. Rather what was heard should be practiced in daily lives. Ahmadis in USA and Canada should also listen to speeches with this eagerness. We should be grateful to God each moment by remembering His favors on us and by engaging in His remembrance each moment and by practicing His commandment each moment we should make each fiber of our being grateful to Him. God will then envelop us in greater blessings; as He states: Therefore remember Me, and I will remember you; and be thankful to Me and do not be ungrateful to Me. God does not let any good act remain unrequited. Hudhur ABA remarked what is remembrance of God and how does God remember us? He remembers us by granting us His blessings due to our constant remembrance of Him and thus a new succession of piety and Taqwa ensues. He shows us new avenues to take
Page 3 Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V aba s Friday Sermon Summary Continued... us closer to Him and remembers His servants all the time by protecting them from difficulties and calamities. Man remembers God to come in His refuge and when God states that He will remember you, it signifies that He will bestow His blessings and will take one in His refuge and will open doors to all kinds of provisions in most unexpected ways. People who are thus blessed can never be stopped no matter how hard the world tries against them. It is such remembrances of God that will earn this world and the Hereafter for every member of the Community. This is why along with the subject of remembrance, God has expounded the subject of gratefulness. It is God s grace that He blesses and when man shows gratitude another series of Divine blessings begins. In the end of the aforementioned verse, God again draws attention not to ever be ungrateful. Indeed, having seen the grace and blessings, no sensible person can be dismissive. However, when in spite of remembering God, one does not put things in practice, unconsciously one can become ungrateful. When one is greatly drawn to another person and is always thinking of them, one looks at that person, waiting to act upon anything the person says. Thus, if we claim to remember God, it is also important to look at Him. Then alone can the condition arise which is the condition of real gratefulness. Thus in one single verse God has ascertained ways for a believer that take him from gratefulness to His nearness which indeed is the desire of a believer. Each Ahmadi should ponder over this subject. Next Hudhur ABA spoke with regards to the German Jalsa. As mentioned, it was held at a new venue. And while many facilities were available, many deficiencies may have also been noted. However, the management cannot be blamed for these. Indeed, it is not possible to attain 100% perfection in human efforts, perfection belongs to God alone. As such, there is always room for improvement. Man s task is to pray and make one s full effort and then leave the matter to God. One is also enjoined to be grateful for the outcome. Hudhur ABA said he noted a few things and others were reported to him which he would mention now for future betterment. If those who only criticize really wish for bet- terment then rather than talk among themselves they should inform the management and should pray for the management. Hudhur ABA added that the management should also listen to these matters liberally and note them down in the Red Book. One shortcoming that has already been noted is that the sound resonated in the hall. Quite a few people could not hear the Friday sermon in the hall properly. Later, the management tried to put it right but there was no distinct improvement. Next year, either the sound system needs to be improved or the stage should be placed elsewhere. It is very important to see to this. It would be extremely difficult for people to sit quietly without this matter being addressed. Men would probably manage to remain quiet, although young boys of 10 to 12 years of age cannot do so. However, it would be difficult for women to remain quiet especially in the area designated to mothers and children. Hudhur ABA said one good thing he noted on the women s side this year was that in spite of the defective sound, for which they sent many messages to have the problem rectified, during Hudhur s ABA address they remained silent. Hudhur ABA said he had observed such patience for the first time among Germany women. Some may think it was perhaps due to the fact that it was hot outside and the hall was air-conditioned, but we should make a positive inference. Some three to four years ago Hudhur ABA had warned the ladies in Germany that they would not have a Jalsa if the noise level continued and since then they are inclined towards improvement. Hudhur ABA said this year young children were also seated in the same hall with just a curtain as a partition. A curtain cannot be a good sound barrier. Young children s area is obviously noisy. A better arrangement should be made next year. Hudhur ABA said apart from this there were small shortcomings which the management should try and overcome next year and should ask people to let them know if they had noted anything. We should always step towards improving ourselves and generally speaking this is what happens. Please Visit ALISLAM.ORG FOR THE ENTIRE SUMMARY Audio, Video, Translations, and Summaries http://www.alislam.org/friday-sermon/
Page 4 Hudhur ABA coming for Ba ait
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Page 6 Bilal Ahmad - Brooklyn Farhad Rana - Laurel Sharjeel Ahmad - VA South Faraz Mahmood - Central Jersey Frasat Ahmad - Queens (New Jamia Applicants) (New Jamia Students)
Page 7 At Jalsa Salana USA Saturday July 2, 2011 The Career Orientation and rededication program which was conducted on Saturday afternoon was a great success. This program was presided by Hafiz Samiullah Chaudhary sahib, the National secretary Waqfe Nau, USA who was assisted by Mahmood Hanif sahib who is the assistant National Secretary Waqfe Nau for Career Orientation and Rededication. It was attended by boys and girls above the age of 14, and there were a total of 80 Waqifeen and Waqifaate Nau in attendance. The objective was to re-emphasize the importance of rededication and to honor those who have rededicated according the instructions of Huzur ABA. There were two speeches, one by Usama Rehman from Georgia on The Objective of Waqfe Nau & Huzur s ABA directives regarding rededication. The other speech was delivered by Ayesha Khan from Maryland, and her topic was The importance and need for Rededication of our Waqf. It is very humbly requested to all Jama`at members to remember the Waqifeen & Waqifaate Nau in their special prayers, that may Allah enable them to strive on the path of Waqf. And may He empower them to be dedicated souls and enable them to fulfill the desires of our beloved Hudhur ayyadahullahu ta`ala binasrihil azeez. A`meen.
Page 8 By the mercy and benevolence of Allah, the National Waqfe Nau department has organized Waqfe Nau presentations at the event of USA Jalsa Salana every year, Alhamdulillah. These presentation programs are blessed by the presence of respected Amir Sahib, who at the conclusion of the program addresses the Waqifeene Nau and presents them with awards and gifts. In the past, we had a combined program on Friday after the conclusion of the Jalsa program. The program this year held on Friday was for Waqfe Nau boys of all ages, and girls under the age of 10. The other program was organized on Saturday in the afternoon: Career orientation and Rededication for boys and girls from the ages of 14 and above. This year by the grace of Allah we had a new addition in our programs. For the first time we had a Waqifaate Nau program on the Lajna side for girls age 11 and above. This was on Friday immediately after the conclusion of the main Jalsa program, and was conducted parallel to the program on the men s side. The main theme of the presentation was Khilafat and for that we prepared and presented a talk on both sides. The panelists and the moderators worked very diligently in researching for the answers and rehearsing among their respective groups to prepare a presentation which would do justice to the subject in the limited time of 15-20 minutes. On the men s side the panelist were Muhiyyuddin Bahri from Illinios, who is a sophomore in college pursuing his undergraduate in Architecture Engineering, and Sheharyar Sarwar from Silver Spring MD who is preparing to be admitted in Medical School. Syed Owais Ahmed from Philadelphia had the responsibility of moderating the talk show. A few of the questions anwered by the panelist were: 1. What is the meaning of Khilafat? 2. How can a Khalifa, who is elected by people, be considered to be appointed by God? 3. As Ahmadis, and especially as Waqfe Nau, it is our duty to spread the message of Ahmadiyyat. How would you begin to describe Khilafat to a non-ahmadi? 4. Especially in the United States, which was founded by people wanting to break away from religious authority, and authority in general, the idea of an organized religion can be unappealing. How can you respond to that with Khilafat? On the Lajna side, the topic discussed was pertaining to Khilafat and a couple of other important topics pertaining to the Waqifaate Nau particularly. The panelists for the talk show were Maryam Zakaria from Chicago, a junior in high school, Musleha Daud a recently married Waqifae Nau from Dallas, who is currently enrolled in Master's of Teaching program for Elementary education and Tayyaba Bhatti from York/Harrisburg who is a senior biology major with a Spanish minor and is currently serving Muawana Sadr Lajna USA. The responsibility of moderating the talk show rested with Amatul Mussawir Mansoor from Central New Jersey, who is pursuing her undergraduate degree. ~~~Continued on the Next Page~~~
Page 9 WAQFE NAU CLASS AT JALSA SALANA USA 2011 CONTINUED... The following were the topics discussed by the Waqifaate Nau in the talk show: 1. What is the importance of Khilafat and why is it important to associate with Hudhur ABA and how? 2. Why is Purdah(Hijab) important, and what is the minimum level desired to be observed by Waqifaate Nau, especially? 3. When the question of marriage and selection of spouse is discussed, what are the traits the Waqifaate Nau should look for in a spouse? presenters of various other items were well prepared and practiced to run the programs smoothly. In conclusion it can be said that this year s special feature for the Waqfe Nau program at Jalsa Salana USA 2011 was the Talk show. In addition, all the Book Review for Jesus in India This is an English version of an Urdu treatise written by the Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad AS (1835-1908). The theme is the escape of Jesus from death on the cross, and his journey to India in search of the lost tribes of Israel. Christian as well as Muslim scriptures, and old medical and historical books including ancient Buddhist records, provide evidence about this journey. Jesus is shown to have reached Afghanistan, and to have met the Jews who had settled there after deliverance from the bondage of Nebuchadnezzar. From Afghanistan Jesus went on to Kashmir, where other Israelite tribes had settled. There he made his home, and there in time he died; his tomb has been found in Srinagar. Book of the Month Life of Muhammad SAW by Hadrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad RA The book for the month of May is Jesus In India By Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad AS. Please read this book and send in your reviews and thoughts so that they can be put in the next issue of Nawaa`e Waqfe Nau Newsletter. Tell us what you thought of the book and what you learned. You can even send in a short summary of what the book is about. Send in your reviews and comments to wnnewsletter@waqfenau.us
PA/NJ Regional Waqfe Nau Ijtema Page 10 The Combined Pennsylvania and New Jersey Regional Waqfe Nau Ijtema was held on June 11, 2011 at Masjid Baitul Hadi, Old Bridge, NJ. About 90-100 people attended this Ijtema of which 59 were Waqifeen & Waqifaate Nau. New Jersey Regional Secretary Waqfe Nau Mubashir Mirza sahib gave a brief overview of the day s program. The program began with recitation of the Holy Quran by Dabir Khan and Nazm by Safwan Akbar. Next, the President of Central Jersey Jama`at Dr. Mir Sharif Ahmad sahib gave the welcome address. First, we had the under 7 Waqifeen & Waqifaate Nau presentations. All the children under the age of 7 were invited one at a time to make their presentation. Each child was given a candy bag and medal for their presentation. Then we had educational competitions in four age groups being held parallel and separately for boys and girls. All the competitions were very good and children were well prepared. Masha `Allah. After the competitions, there was a session for age 18 and above Waqifeen Nau with Hafiz Samiullah sahib. They were informed that the 18 and above online test is available on the Waqfe Nau website and they need to take the first six months test (part 1) then they need to continue to work on the syllabus and take the second six month test (part 2). They were also given time to ask any questions. Following a delicious lunch served by Central Jersey ziafat team and salat Zuhr/Asr, we began the afternoon session with Zafarullah Khan sahib s Urdu Workshop. In the workshop, the importance of learning to speak, read and write Urdu was discussed. Teaching Urdu to Waqfe Nau children was stressed and a few parents asked questions about how to teach their children Urdu. Database Workshop was given by Mahmood Hanif sahib. In this workshop, he went over the process of filling out the online Waqfe Nau information to show everyone how to make their own profile and how to make changes to their profile in the Waqfe Nau database. The Career Workshop was also given by Mahmood Hanif sahib. In this workshop there was a quiz given on Hudhur s ABA Friday sermon of October 22, 2010 on how Waqfe Nau children should be. The quiz included questions such as what languages should be learnt, how we should live (with frugality, completely free of arrogance and conceit), at what age Waqfe Nau children should rededicate themselves (age 15). The importance of filling out the rededication forms after the completion of studies was also underlined. Next, the prize distribution ceremony was held and prizes were given for various competitions by Hafiz Samiullah sahib on the men s side and by Local Sadr Lajna on the women s side. At the end Hafiz Samiullah Chaudhary sahib gave his concluding address to all Waqfe Nau boys, girls and parents. He talked about the importance of coming to these Waqfe Nau Ijtemas. He said if you know of any Waqfe Nau boys or girls or their parents who did not come, tell them they were missed and tell them what they missed during the Ijtema. It is important that everyone attend these Waqfe Nau Ijtemas and the Ijtema is not just for the Waqfe Nau but it is also for the Waqfe Nau parents, so they should make it a point to attend. The Ijtema program ended with silent prayer. A group photograph of the Waqifeene Nau, their fathers and honored guests with Hafiz Samiullah Chaudhary sahib was taken after the conclusion of the program. Report by Mansoor Ahmad PA Regional Waqfe Nau Sec.
Page 11 Team Waqfe Nau USA Introductions Syed Fazal Ahmad Assistant National Secretary, Waqfe Nau, USA Syed Fazal Ahmed son of Syed Abdus Sattar and Sanjeedah Khatoon was born in Dacca, Bangladesh (formerly East Pakistan) on 9 th August 1956. His family migrated to West Pakistan in 1971. He has 5 sisters and 3 brothers. His grandfather Syed Abdul Ghaffar was one of the first to accept Ahmadiyyat in 1904/05 in Monghair, Bihar-India. His maternal grandfather Hakeem Abdul Latif was also one of the first to accept Ahmadiyyat in the village of Jamghoon, Bihar. Both of his grandparents were in the fore front of Tabligh in their villages and endured extreme persecution for accepting Ahmadiyyat and for actively propagating Ahmadiyyat. His great grandfather migrated from Basra-Iraq in the mid 19 th century and travelling through Delhi, finally settled in Bihar. Syed Fazal sahib is married to Amatul Hamid Munira, daughter of Abdul Bari Taluqdar sahib, the Bengali Homeopathic doctor in Waqfe Jadid. He is blessed with three sons, two are college going, and the youngest is an eighth grader. Syed Fazal sahib played cricket and basketball in school and university. He has widely travelled, including the Middle East and Europe. He graduated from Karachi University in 1979 and then earned his MBA in Marketing from SE University, Washington D.C. He commenced his career in Pharmaceutical Sales & Marketing from Pakistan and in 1983 moved to Dubai-UAE where he stayed for 15 years and finally moved to USA in 1999 and settled in Philadelphia-PA. In United States he was employed in Biotech & Pharmaceutical Industry for seven years. However since last 4 years he has moved into Financial Industry. He is currently employed with New York Life insurance Company as Financial Services Professional. By the sheer mercy and grace of Allah, Syed Fazal sahib has had the opportunity to serve the Jama`at in various capacities right from the Tifl age. A synopsis is appended below: Saiq Majlis Khuddam ul Ahmadiyya Nazimabad, 1971 to 1973 Naib Zaeem Majlis Khuddam ul Ahmadiyya Nazimabad, 1973-1975 Vice President Ahmadiyya Student Association, Karachi 1974-1978 Muntazim Atfal Majlis Khuddam ul Ahmadiyya Nazimabad, 1975-1979 Zaeem Majlis Khuddam ul Ahmadiyya Nazimabad, 1975-1979 Zaeem Ansarullah Jama at Dubai-UAE, 1985-1987 Amir/Sadr Jama at Dubai-UAE, 1987-1999 Zaeem Majlis Ansarullah Philadelphia, 2003-2009 Secretary Waqfe Nau & Publication Philadelphia Jama at 2001 to 2007 Qazi 2008 to 2010 Qaid Ta limul Quran Majlis Ansarullah USA 2009 till date Assistant National Secretary Waqfe Nau-USA, 2001 till date Naib Nazim Majlis Ansarullah North East Region, 2007 till date Director Hifz Quran under National Ta`limul Quran & Waqfe Ardhi-USA, 2007 till date General Secretary Philadelphia Jama at 2004 till date Waqfe Nau USA Upcoming National and Regional Events Sept. 24, 2011 Saturday Waqfe Nau Ijtema LA Metro Area, CA Sept. 25, 2011 Sunday Waqfe Nau Ijtema San Jose, CA Oct. 22, 2011 Saturday Waqfe Nau Ijtema Milwaukee, WI Editor s Note All Local and Regional and Local Waqfe Nau Secretaries We are looking for extra talented Waqfe Nau and their extra curricular activities or educational achievements. Please send us the picture of the Waqfe Nau with the details of his/her achievement to: wnnewsletter@waqfenau.us. PLEASE SEND PICTURES AND REPORTS OF REGIONAL IJTEMAS OR ANY ACTIVITIES RELATED TO WAQFE NAU TO: wnnewsletter@waqfenau.us Please encourage Waqifeen & Waqifaate Nau to submit contents for this newsletter. The deadline to submit any contents is 25th of the month. Love For All Hatred For None