Jalaluddin Abdul Latif - Old Bridge, Central NJ Jamaat
Jalaluddin Abdul Latif sahib was born on Sep 9, 1941 to Methodist Christian parents but he himself never connected with those beliefs. He served our armed forces by joining the US Navy from 1962-66 & is a vietnam veteran, having served on the battleship USS Radford. He married in 1966 and has now been married for more than 44 years, masha Allah. He was introduced to Ahmadiyyat Islam by Akbar Tshaka Sahib (currently of the Brooklyn jamaat) who gave him the 'Philosophy of the Teaching of Islam'. It was this book that began to change Jalaluddin Abdul Latif Sahib's heart. He began attending khuddam meetings twice a week for a couple of months, which was a surprise to family and friends, and then decided to sign ba’ait in May 1972. Those who know Jalaluddin Abdul Latif Sahib, know that he speaks his mind and from the heart. He is blessed with a very candid personality tempered by a great dedication and love of Jamaat and Khilafat-ul Ahmadiyya.
An important and close mentor of his was the late, great Muhammad Sadiq, who served as the President of the North New Jersey Majlis. Latif Sahib penned an article in the Feb 2007 edition of Ahmadiyya Gazette about him entitled “Muhammad Sadiq - Urban Sufi”. Of his mentor, he says, “He was the first real Muslim that ever I met”, noting that the other so-called Muslims that he had met in those days were more concerned with being hip or angry, and largely held anti-establishment and nationalistic attitudes rather than the light of faith in their hearts. “Muhammad Sadiq was the first Muslim that I ever saw smile! He was very gentle and loving and encouraged me to go to Rabwah.” Taking this advice, Jalaluddin Abdul Latif Sahib would see the bigger picture of the community of the Promised Messiah AS. While there, he was incredibly moved by the love and affection he received from the local Jamaat members. Of course, they themselves were overwhelmed with emotion as they were witnessing the fulfillment of the words of the Promised Messiah AS, who had foretold that people from far and wide would accept him and join them.
To his family, Latif Sahib is the epitome of a dedicated Muslim father. In the house, he led and taught his family the supreme importance of both salat and jamaat service. His children laugh that he used to drip water in their ears in the morning if they were slow in getting up for Fajr salat. Two of his sons - Abdul Rahim and Junayd, both remarked that he made sure that "We took ownership of the jamaat and did not approach it as outsiders". This is particularly meaningful since they were the only African American family in their local majlis. He also taught his children, to “... not let anyone keep you away from the Jamaat ..." and to always be very particular in paying chanda, stating, "Always pay your chanda first out of any money you earn before spending on anything else." To Jalaluddin Abdul Lateef Sahib, paying chanda and being connected with the jamaat are the foundation to overcoming any problems in life.
To the Khuddam of this era, he gives succinct and powerful advice regarding marriage: “First fill your wife’s heart with love for you. Treat her with kindness and do not be above helping her with anything she needs. Make her your best friend.”
Upon retiring after decades of in a career in communications as a central office desk technician, Latif Sahib, fully dedicated himself to the jamaat through the waqf-e-arzi program in 2001. He was blessed to complete his Hajj in 2002. His other extensive travels include a historic trip to Rabwah in 1975, as well as attending Jalsas in Bangladesh, Ghana, several UK Jalsas, and traveling Europe following Khalifatul Masih V during his Khilafat Centenary Tour.
Jalauddin Abdul Latif Sahib has also served the jamaat in many office capacities, including Qaid New York, Zaeem Ansarullah and in the national Amila of Ansarullah as Secretary Waqf-e-Jadid.
Majlis Khuddam-ul Ahmadiyya USA has in Jalaluddin Abdul Latif Sahib a great pioneer and a loving mentor. May Allah bless and reward him for his stellar service to Islam and the Jamaat of the Promised Messiah AS.
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Contact Information: Muthamim/Director of Tarbiyyat NauMobaeen (Coverts) Email: naumobaeen@mkausa.org
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