February 2011 - Jamil Ahmad
Zion, Midwest

Jamil was born in Indiana, but was raised in the Zion area. Jamil’s family was one of the first families in the Zion Jamaat. Jamil’s grandparents had converted to the Nation of Islam, but his parents soon after converted to Ahmadiyyat. As a child, Jamil was very active, both in the secular and religious world. His youthful years were in fact filled with intense athleticism, whether it be martial arts, or competing at the state level in high school basketball. Yet taking the responsibility of security duty in a USA Jalsa as a young Khudam was Jamil’s most memorable moment. Hadrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, may Allah have mercy upon him, had come to the Jalsa, and Jamil had the ability to meet the Khalifa at a very young age.

Soon after completing high school, Jamil joined the military. His military serviced presented him with various physical and mental challenges. “We need more Muslims in the military, to give a positive attitude for Islam, you are serving your country and enacting of the duties in the Holy Qu’ran,” Muslims in the military are courageous, they go and protect the lives of their countrymen, for the sake of their country, and for the sake of pleasing Allah. Ahmadi’s have the ability to show the true honor and integrity in military service, as was seen in the disposition of our beloved Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be upon him.

After his military service, Jamil was hired by the IL Department of Correction in the Correction Tactical Unit. Jamil was promoted as a Specialist, and is Insh’Allah a soon to be Sergeant. Jamil recalls this as a time when he was not as active in the Jamaat. Yet his encounter with former Sadr sahib Faheem bhai at the 2005 national Jalsa changed his outlook. Jamil wanted to know who the next MKA president is, He found out it was respected Faheem Younus sahib. The name “Faheem” has a special place for Jamil, because it’s the name of his older brother, murdered in his youth, innalelah wa inlahi wa rajahoon. Jamil found former Sadr sahib Faheem bhai, outside, assisting people in the parking lot. Even though Faheem sahib was in the role of MKA Sadr, he didn’t restrict himself from doing any kind of jamaat work. Jamil was influenced by Faheem sahib’s humility. Jamil then became more active in the Jammat after watching Faheem sahib’s conviction. Jamil’s dedication to the jamaat was noticed, and he was asked to be Assistant Muhtamim Umoomi. Soon enough, Jamil was appointed as National Muhtamim Umoomi. Jamil held this position from 2008 to 2010. Jamil helped lay the foundation for the Umoomi system of security we have today. He was able to establish many programs under the Umoomi system, such as sending letters to Jama'at presidents, with thirteen detailed steps in securing the Jama'at site.

Even though Jamil is now a member of Majlis Ansarullah, he will always be a khadim at heart. He is always willing to help any khadim, and has given us permission to provide his email address for khuddam to contact him: jamilahmad08@gmail.com. Jamil looks forward to the future of all Khadim. “The Khuddam outlook is very bright, we have some very intelligent Khuddam, ” Jamil remarks. But Jamil also reminds us that there are many challenges ahead, and we have keep moving forward. And even when we achieve success, we must be humble and thank God for all that we have accomplished. Our success lies in our ability to be unified, “we are Ahmadi, there should be no racial difference, we shouldn’t be preaching to any specific race, but to the human race.” As American Ahmadis, our strength lies in our diversity; we are all servants of Allah.

Jamil recalled gazing over the vast amount of people when he did Hajj in 1999. He imagined how it would be to have Huzor at Mecca, for Muslims to be unified under one leader, under the true teachings of our beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be upon him, and under his Promised Messiah, peace be upon him. As the servants of Allah, it is our duty to make this peace on Earth possible, Insh’Allah.