Friday, May 18, 2012
Our History
Our History
A Brief Synopsis of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya USA
While it was certainly the desire of American Ahmadis to have a national Khuddam organization, it took nearly 20 years of organizing local chapters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and gathering young men within to set up an active MKA USA network.
The Early DaysSince Jama'ats in the U.S. were not organized in any nationwide network until the 1950s, it is not surprising that the Khuddam organization was not nationally organized until the late 1960s. While it was certainly the desire of American Ahmadis to have a national Khuddam organization, it took almost twenty years of organizing local Jama'ats and gathering young men within them to set up an active Khuddam network. After all, without a national body of Khuddam, there could be no national Khuddam organization. At the same time, the 1950-60s were a time of education. As more and more information about Islam and Ahmadiyyat was translated into English and disseminated to Americans, there emerged a growing awareness among American Ahmadis of the purpose, aims, and structure of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya. One book, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya-Its Formation and importance, was translated into English by Chaudhry Abdur Rahman Bengali. It laid out the purpose of Khuddam and the methods for establishing national and local branches complete with Qaideen, Zo'ma, and Nazimeen. Prior to 1969, however, the only national office in place was that of Motamid (Secretary General), who worked with the Missionary-in-Charge who himself was Naib Sadr (Vice President) of Khuddam under the International Sadr at the headquarters in Rabwah.
Khuddam Get Organized at a National Level in the United States
In 1969, the Missionary-in-Charge, Imam A. R. Khan Bengali appointed Munir Hamid of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as the first National Qaid. Early Khuddam were both zealous and active. One Khuddam activity which embodied this zeal was the reprinting of the pamphlet Real Revolution as a serial. In 1969, Qaid Munir Hamid had the responsibility of setting up a National Cabinet. The first National Khuddam Cabinet Meeting was held on April 25 - 27, 1969 in Dayton, Ohio. Khuddam branches that were represented included Chicago, St. Louis, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Waukegan. A list of the expectations of every Khadim was made with such items as offering five daily prayers, weekly service and propagation, and attendance of every meeting. There were programs set up in propagation, finance, and training of boys aged 7-15 years (Atfal). In February 1969, a newsletter/bulletin called Khadim began under the leadership of Hussain Abdul Aziz. Ijtemat (annual camp-outs) for religious and physical training and to foster brotherhood-were also initiated, and two were held in Dayton, Ohio.
Early Seventies
Between the period of 1970 and 1975, two national Qaideen succeeded Munir Hamid. Muzaffar A. Zafr concentrated heavily on Tabligh (propagation), organizing Tabligh Days. In the area of education, Noorudin A. Latif developed the first comprehensive program using a three-phase system. The goal of the first phase was to set a standard that everyone should know. The second phase was a branch level study of Ahmadi literature. The third phase was an excellent, very comprehensive college level study course for an individual Khadim in areas ranging from Hadith to Economics to Comparative Religions. The study of Arabic was made available, and a 100-question comprehensive test was prepared, which, when completed, formed a small pamphlet on many facets of Islam. In the summer of 1976 the first issue of a new Khuddam magazine, Al-Tariq appeared. It was interesting that the Khuddam in America chose this name independently and later found that it was the same name as the original magazine in Qadian. A recounting of the organization of Khuddam, although important for a history such as this one, is dry compared to the actual events that took place. Anyone who was active at this time can testify that on a local level more and more Khuddam were becoming excited about their Majlis. They were attending meetings regularly, propagating their faith, following a regular education program, paying their chanda, doing service for mankind, and becoming closer with their brothers in Khuddam. This was no more evident than in the Natonal Ijtemaat for the Khuddam and the Atfal Summer School for the younger men and boys. The first Atfal Summer School was held in the summer of 1975 at the Mission House in Baltimore, MD. Sixteen Atfal attended with Yahya Sharif and the Respected Hajji Muhammad Sadiq as teachers or Murabbis. Five Atfal Schools followed, the last in 1982, with sites such as York, PA, Dayton, OH, and Brooklyn, NY. There were three National Ijtemas from 1977 to 1979 as well as about 20 regional Ijtemas held. For the National jtemas, two properties were used: Camp Rabwah and Camp Qadian. The former was purchased by Dr. Majid Ali and was located in New Jersey; the latter in Ohio and donated by Dr. Basharat Munir. The Ijtemas were held outside in tents with a full day of sports and various religious competitions, including Tilawat, prepared and impromptu speeches, and collective Salat.
Late Seventies and Eighties
In 1979 Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya USA elected a new National Qaid from Chicago, Abdul Kabir Haq. Until 1983, when the next National Qaid was appointed, the period was marked by a continuation of most of the major programs already established. One practice that had begun in the 70s and followed through by Kabir Haq and his staff was traveling to many Khuddam branches to establish or revive members and to answer any questions. In November 1982, Nasir Malik was elected as National Qaid. He helped to set up new programs to launch in time for the National Jalsa Salana in 1983. On August 8, 1983, Khuddamul Ahmadiyya USA was shocked to learn that Dr. Muzaffer Ahmad of Detroit, the National Motamid of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, was shot and killed outside his home in Detroit. In December of 1983, the Midwest and Great Lakes Region held a joint Regional Ijtema in the Dayton Mosque. Despite blizzard conditions outside, it was extremely successful, and the National Committee met again and planned to organize a full scale National ljtema. The end of 1984 and early 1985 were filled with disturbing reports of Ahmadi persecution in Pakistan. But two events marked the start of a new growing force of activity. First, a National Ijtema was planned for Labor Day weekend of 1985, and second, Al-Tariq magazine was restarted as a part of the Ahmadiyya Gazette . The National Ijtema, as in the earlier days, was a key event for stirring up interest, revitalizing Khuddam, and emphasizing unity. A full outline of eleven competitions was laid out ahead of time including Adhan, Salat, and two types of speeches. It was a National Ijtema with all the trappings: tenting out in Camp Dearborn (Detroit, Ml), excellent participation (125), three full days of activity, and even a campfire. Participants came from fifteen different branches. From Jummah prayers on Friday to Awards Ceremony on Sunday, Khuddam and Atfal both participated n prayers, sports, and competitions.
Late Eighties and Nineties
In 1988, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) journeyed to the United States and presided over the Jalsa Salana USA in Baltimore, Maryland. During that time, Majlis Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya, USA held their final round of Ijtema competitions, and the winners were fortunate enough to have Hazoor (rah) himself distribute the prizes. In 1989, Qamar Ahmad Shams was elected Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya USA, and under his leadership Majalis from across the country began to participate in the National Ijtemat,especially from the West Coast USA. The expansion of Khuddamul Ahmadiyya USA continued under the Sadarat of Munum A. Naeem, who used technology and teleconferencing to create a virtual Khuddam "village" and worked diligently to increase the financial contribution of Khuddam. During this time, the first ever Qaideen Refresher Course (QRC) was held in Maryland in 1995. Under the Sadarat of Shukoor Ahmad, Khidmat-e-Khalq activities expanded further with new Adopt-a-Highway programs, blood drives, flu shot drives, and Walk-a-Thons. During this time, new initiatives in Sanat-o-Tijarat began, including initial preparation for the first ever Ahmadiyya Conference for Entrepreneurs (ACE), and a new Ahmadiyya literary society consisting of Khuddam writers-Majlis Sultan-ul-Qalam USA-was created. Throughout the 1990s, a new Khuddam newsletter, Mujahid , remained the primary source of information for Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiiyya USA.
The Next Millennium
The New Millennium and Beyond Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya USA has entered the new millennium with renewed vigor. The tradition of holding the QRC and ACE has continued annually. Under the Sadarat of Naseem Waseem, new initiatives have been undertaken, including the Liberia Project, the Mujahid Tabligh Task Force, and the project of securing a permanent National Ijtema location. These are just some of the new and exciting projects. Insha'Allah, these projects will serve Khuddam well and will firmly establish the roots of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya in the United States. Under the current Sadarat, Dr. Faheem Younus Qureshi has accomplished many new programs and initiatives. He greatly improved communication between the center and all khuddam and atfal by launching a redesign of mkausa.org, the official website of the majlis; making it more accessible, easy to navigate and attractive. The khuddam newsletter which was previously circulated in print only in bundles sent to majalis has now been rebranded as a newsmagazine, printed in full-color and is sent to each home where a khadim or tifil resides. He reorganized online reporting methods for nazimeen and recognized the importance of having an Amila Meeting and a General Khuddam meeting every month. He created two new recognitions: An award for Most Improved Majlis and an Alam-e-Inami for Best Region. He created new policies and new projects benefiting Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya USA. Inshallah, these initiatives and the guidance of Sadr Majlis will help us to continue our roles as Servants of Mankind. Ameen.
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