The Upside-Down Pyramid of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya
What the Spirit of being a Khadim is All About
Story by Qasim Rashid
We all know what a pyramid looks like.  If not, you need to get out more.  Or you could go to google.com and type in “pyramid.”  But how many of us know what an upside down pyramid looks like?  Though I’m sure you could find it, I’ll save you the trouble of doing a search on the internet.  To see a true upside down pyramid, a Khadim needs to look no further than the Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya National Amila. 


Looking at the Amila, it is easy to spot the towering figure of Naib Nazim Rahim Latif.  The only thing more amazing than his height, is the size of his heart.  His love for Khilafat shows vibrantly through every action he takes.  As I searched for him in the vast Jalsa Gah yesterday morning, I was unable to find him.  I searched the bookstore, the dining area, and even thought about checking the restrooms.  All this running around made me tired so I went outside to get a breath of fresh air.  Upon exiting the Jalsa Gah, I saw, in the hot sun, without shade or comfort, our Respected Naib Sadr standing on Flag guard duty.  He stood firm and he stood strong, focused on his duty at hand.  His strength provided support for the rest of the Khuddam that stood in the circle with him.  Undoubtedly, he was the point that supported the entire pyramid of Khuddam serving guard duty.  When it came time for Naib Nazim to be relieved of his duty, none other than the Nazim of guard duty, Ahmad Antar Sahib, was ready for the job.  Rather than delegating this stationary task, Antar Sahib stood firm and resolute with alongside his workers.  This humble act enforced not a “service by leadership” motto, rather a “leading by serviceship” mantra.  Nazim sahib stated his reasoning in performing this duty, “We are all equal.  We are all brothers. We all share the same view…I think it is very important that the leader should participate in the duty also.”

Upon walking down the street, I saw the familiar face of Mansoor Shams, Regional Qaid.  This man easily has more things to do than he can count, especially at a landmark Jalsa such as this one.  Anyone who has worked with him knows his tenacity, his sincerity, and his desire to serve Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya.  This beautiful attitude shone through as I saw him helping a disabled child find his father.  Respected Qaid Sahib surely must have been on another task when he stopped everything to ensure that this child attained peace of mind.  Respected Qaid sahib embodied the core values of servant leadership at a time when it would have been easy to forget them.  He became the unbreakable foundation for other Khuddam to stand upon in making this Jalsa a success.

As I left the parking lot with my family last night, our dedicated traffic team ensured an orderly exit.  My wife pointed to a striking young man running around like crazy, trying to keep the line moving as quickly as possible.  She inquired of me if I knew who it was.  I turned to look, expecting to see an unknown newly acquired Khadim, trying his best to fulfill his duties to Allah and to His Jama’at.  While the young man was indeed doing his best, I was humbled to see none other than our Respected Naib Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Rizwan Alladin embracing the task whole-heartedly.  Through his example, the other Khuddam had the perfect reason to do their job with excellence

Throughout the day my mind reverted to the wonderful advice of our Respected Sadr Faheem Younous Qureshi.  The day of Huzoors (aba) arrival, Sadr Sahib expressed that the most beloved work in the eyes of Allah, may well be the ones not seen by anyone.  These works, however, were witnessed by at least one person, and most certainly enjoyed indirectly by many Jalsa guests.  We have all witnessed a phenomenon of humans vis a vis the upside-down pyramid.  May Allah enable us to learn from our respected leadership, and become leaders ourselves in whatever task Allah gives us the opportunity to fulfill, small or large, seen or unseen, Insha’Allah.