A Lahore Ahmadiyya publication In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. The HOPE Bulletin Health, Ongoing Projects, Education A California Jama at Project. Approved by Central Anjuman, Lahore, Pakistan. 25 July 2015 Supplement (July 2015) Eid-ul-Fitr at the Berlin Mosque, 17 July 2015 Report and photographs by Amir Aziz, Imam, Berlin Mosque The Eid festival went very well at the Berlin Mission. It was Friday, and despite the fact that it was not a holiday, Eid was well attended. The Eid message sent from Lahore by Hazrat Ameer Dr A.K. Saeed, Head of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement, was my Eid Khutba (sermon). The explanation was given in English and its translation in German was read out. Everyone appreciated it. People from the following countries attended the Eid prayer: Germany, USA, Syria, Egypt, Bosnia, Albania, Yemen, Bangladesh, Mali (Africa), Sudan, Turkey, and Serbia. Most people left for their jobs after Eid, but a party and food were arranged for all. Food was brought by many families. All families and children and other participants stayed in the Mission House till Friday Prayer. It was a good picnic today. Friday was as usual well attended and the Mosque was full. I am sending some photos (although they were not taken professionally and are not the best they could have been). (Courtesy: http://berlin.ahmadiyya.org/news/eid-ul-fitr-jul2015.htm)
Photographs from the prayers and subsequent gathering in Mosque garden People lining up before prayer Getting ready for prayer
Another view of the congregation Imam Amir Aziz delivering Khutba
Imam Amir Aziz in the Mosque with some of the visitors Food being served outside in the Mosque garden
A view of the sumptuous food After prayers, eating the food
More people enjoying the food In Mosque garden, raising hands in thankfulness to Allah *
REPORTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF ACTIVITIES AT THE BERLIN MOSQUE by Amir Aziz, Imam Visit of Sophie Scholl Schule (School), Berlin Yesterday [6 July], the Religious class of Sophie Scholl Schule (School) Berlin visited our Mosque. Discussions about Islam and my lecture went on for one and half hours. All the students and teachers were much interested in Islam. Their topic was about the book of Dr Zahid Aziz sahib. All students were given one copy each. A copy of the German Translation of the Quran was gifted to the School library. The teachers expressed thanks for the donation. One Scottish student s name was Kalam (pen), and when I told him that his name is mentioned in the first revelation given to the Holy Prophet, he got much interested in the Quran and asked for a copy. He was also presented one. He has already read the Bible and wants comparative studies of both scriptures. I acted on Maulana Muhammad Ali sahib s advice, You give the Quran; it will work itself. Keep on praying. *
Humboldt University Today [9 July], Allah has given another opportunity to present Islam and Ahmadiyyat in the well-known Humboldt University, Berlin. The programme was organized by the World Alliance of Religions. The topic of discussion was Salvation and Ways of Salvation. Al Hamdo lil Allah, this time too Mirza sahib s magic was on top. Only with Allah s blessings, our point of view was so much appreciated that, a Pakistani who, in a previous meeting, was not ready to meet me, this time specially met me. He appreciated our views about the topic and asked about AAIIL. Next time, I will try to distribute the Quran, as some people asked for it. This time representatives of Islam (Sufis, Arabs, Turkish, Lahore Ahmadiyya), Hinduism, Christianity, Judaism and Buddhism participated in the debate. It was only the blessings of Allah that our view was much appreciated. Your prayers are much needed for the future, as well.
Amir Aziz with an American priest and a Bangladeshi representative in front of Humboldt University * Turkish visitors The Religious Affairs Attaché of the Turkish Embassy and the Imam of the Turkish mosque which is nearest to our Mosque visited our Mosque. Both can speak Arabic so it was a good meeting. The beliefs of the AAIIL were explained and both gentlemen were presented with the Turkish and the German Translations of the Holy Quran. In the photos, the man wearing the black coat is from the Embassy. They intend to collaborate with us to start a Quran class in our Mosque or Mission House. It was a first meeting and I hope when our relationship develops then we will be in a position to decide.
* Visit of student from New York University Today [13 July], Robert Clinton, a student of New York University, USA, visited and had a one-hour interview about Islam and the AAIIL with me. He is researching about the environment and Islam. He was presented with copies of The Anti-Christ and Gog and Magog by Hazrat Mualana Muhammad Ali sahib, and Islam Peace and Tolerance by Dr Zahid Aziz sahib. Keep on praying, as today I was invited to an interfaith meeting by the organization which has already arranged a programme at the University.
* Visit of Schloss Park Klinik (Hospital) Berlin Allah granted an opportunity to distribute the Quran today [15 July]. Below are photos of an old man, Joseph, who is a Muslim. He is in hospital and made hell for the hospital administration to call an Imam for him. They called me many times to visit him but due to my busy schedule I visited in the evening. I took the German Translation of the Quran for him. He was so interested in the Quran that he started reading it there and then. In the photos you can see his keenness while reading Sura Fatiha. He started weeping because he thought he could not fast during Ramadan and Allah did not listen to his prayers. When he received the Quran, he got so emotional that he cried that his prayers are answered and he got the Quran. I stayed with him quite some time and prayed for him. I told him about Maulana Muhammad Ali sahib s translation, but he already had some idea.
* Discussion with Mr Jan, Schoolteacher in Holland Second photos are of Mr Jan, who visited the Mosque and had discussions about Islam. He appreciated our view of Islam and agreed that from now he will send students of his school to our Mosque only. He is a well-read person and we have exchanged emails. He was presented with the German translation of the Quran because he can read and speak German fluently. The Dutch translation stock is finished. *
First lesson to new Muslim, Erik Third photos are of a young new Muslim, Erik, who came to learn the Quran. He was given a first lesson to learn Bismil Allah. He will continue when I return to Berlin in August. He was presented with a German Translation of the Quran and the Manual of Hadith because he also wanted to know about the Hadith. * Interfaith Dialogue meeting The fourth are photos of an interfaith meeting at which only two Imams, including me, were invited. The discussion was very beneficial. Allah granted success to our Jammat and everyone appreciated our view of the religion of Islam. Keep on praying for the Berlin Mission.
* Evidence of truth of our literature in Jihad presentation Please find below a self-explanatory e-mail reflecting the significance of our literature. These two students are from a Christian school that trains religious scholars. I helped them with their presentation. The books they mention in their e-mail is Religion of Islam by Maulana Muhammad Ali sahib. This show how relevant our literature is for today s world. They got the best marks in their presentation and sent the following e-mail. Let us enjoy and thank Allah for His great favour that we are in Noah s Ark. I have asked them to visit but they suggested we donate books to the School Library. Dear Mr. Aziz, We finally are done with the exams and received the best possible marks in our presentation about the Jihad. Thanks to you! I am very sorry that it took us so long to return the books you borrowed us. I would be glad, if you could tell us a Date we could come by and return the books. Yours sincerely Ferdinand Schmidt-Feuerheerd *
Oakland, California, USA Eid-ul-Fitr celebration Hameed Jhangiri Asalam-O-Alaykum, dear Editor. Here of some of photos/news from today s Eid Fitr 2015 Celebrations at our Oakland, California, USA Mosque. Please note we have our own website up and running where we routinely post about activities, including audio recordings and photos from our gatherings. Our site address is: www.oaklandmasjid.com. Today s Eid gathering had a pleasant surprise when our President, Mr Mohammad Mustafa, choose to deliver the Eid Khutbah. He is modest about his knowledge and oratorical abilities and routinely designates someone else for the job. His family is serving this local jama at tirelessly without any financial reward for over 20 years. May Allah shower His blessings on his family. Amen.
*`* CONTACT INFORMATION The HOPE Bulletin E-mail address: thehopebulletin@hotmail.com ISLAM stands for: I SHALL LOVE ALL MANKIND