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| Bashir Mahmud - Phoenix, AZ |
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Bashir Mahmud Sahib was born on April 23rd, 1944 and became an Ahmadi Muslim in 1967. Bashir sahib’s mother was a staunch Christian, but he was turned away from the fallacies in Christianity at the early age of 13 years old and consequently he kept questioning Christianity. The hypocrisy of church members was also very problematic for him to reconcile. Bashir Sahib was very bothered by the mysterious doctrines. As a young man in Illinois, Bashir sahib started attending meetings for the black power movement (Stokely Carmichael, Huey P Newton, Bobby Seale). It was at that time that he met a few Ahmadi brothers as well - he was specifically impressed by Ali Wazar - who told him, “Brother, you want some power? I’ll teach about the real Islam”. He then went on to tell him amazing narrations of the stories of Islam. This way Bashir Mahmud sahib was ... Read More and Watch Video. |
| Al-Hajj Ahmad Khalid - Milwaukee, WI |
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Al-Hajj Ahmad Khalid was born on Aug, 28, 1940 and accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat in 1966. He was raised in a home where his parent, interestingly, taught him mainly from the Old Testament. He was one of 4 spiritual brothers to form a jamaat in Waukeegan IL on Dec 31st 1966, that later became known as the “original Zion jamaat”. Before He got married in 1976 and has lived in Milwaukee for 33 years now. Ahmad Khalid Sahib has very fond memories of the 3rd and 4th khulafa and says that his highlight was serving as Khalifatul Masih IV’s bodyguard when visiting the US. He has 2 practicing Ahmadi Muslim Children. Ahmad Khalid sahib has continuously served the jamaat and attended jalsas and jamaat events. He has officially served in various capacities such as financial secretary and murabbi atfal. He loved serving the jamaat in any capacity that he could. Even now he volunteers for work at jamaat events, and helped out with cooking at the regional ijtema! To give a small account of ... Read More and Watch Video. |
| Fazal Ahmad - Vermont - Fitchburg, MA |
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Fazal Ahmad Sahib was born in Boston in 1936. As he was growing up in Boston, he had the good fortune of Abdur Raqeeb Sahib and Abid Haneef Sahib – both Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Award recipients themselves. Fazal Sahib was greatly impressed by the quality of these gentlemen’s character, their energy and how they carried themselves. So he started investigating Ahmadiyyat. Fazal sahib was most impressed by the power of prayer as he became an Ahmadi. Fazal Sahib served the jamaat as Zaeem Ansarullah in the earlier years of Ansarul Ahmadiyya in the U.S. Fazal Sahib fondly remembers his meetings with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih (III) (ra) and Hazrat Khalifatul Masih (IV) (ra), as well as his visit to Qadian. These days Fazal Ahmad Sahib lives in Vermont. Read More and Watch Video. |
| Jalaluddin Abdul Latif - Old Bridge, Central NJ Jamaat |
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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 ... Read More and Watch Video. |
| Hassein Abdul Aziz - Philadelphia, PA |
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Brother Hussein Abdul Aziz was born in Philadelphia in Jan 22, 1937 and raised as a Baptist. He was not satisfied with these ideologies, though, and states that was “disturbed by a great lack of peace”. Hussein Sahib, thus, was in search of “Peace and God”. In 1960, his search led him to accepting Ahmadiyyat Islam, being just 23 years old. He has 2 sons, 1 daughter and 6 grand children.
When asked what inspired him to convert to Islam, Hussein Abdul Aziz Sahib's response is “The study of the Holy Quran and Life of Master Prophet Rasoolullah SA”. Brother Hussein Sahib's spirit was driven in devotion and dedication to Allah and Rasooli Kareem through practicing the teachings of the Holy Quran and conveying it’s message. He further elaborates that he found the Creator through the... Read More and Watch Video. |
| Hasan Abdullah, Detroit, MI, 2010 |
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Respected Hasan Abdullah Sahib was born in September, 1929. He is thus almost 81 years old with the grace of Allah. Hasan sahib grew up in Detroit, and lives close to the historic Bait ul Muzaffar. He has the honor of being part of the early pioneers who built this historic mosque. Brother Hasan Abdullah has a soft and charming personality, with great love for Allah, his prophet (sa) and the jamaat. Recently he had some serious health troubles due to which he is unable to travel. Brothers are requested to pray for his good health and long productive life. A few khuddam in Detroit did conduct an interview of Hasan Abdullah sahib in connection with the Mufti Muhammad Sadiq award and to capture some of the passion and wisdom of this great pioneer of Islam in America. Read More & Watch Video |
| Ahmad Haleem, Washington DC, 2010 |
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Respected Ahmad Haleem Sahib was born on November 14th, 1923. He is thus almost 87 years old with the grace of Allah. Haleem Sahib was raised a Catholic, but was perturbed by the racism he found to exist in the churches. He could not understand why there were different churches for whites and blacks. Fortunately he was introduced to an Ahmadi Muslim mosque and after visiting the mosque for about a year, he signed his bai’at of initiation in 1953. Ahmad Haleem Sahib has worked as a social worker, working with children and families. As a matter of fact, he believes that this career, by Allah’s Grace, wound up fulfilling the very meaning of his name, as “Ahmad” means “praised one” (which he often was for dedicating his life to helping children) and “Haleem” means “trustworthy” (as he was in caring for children). He has also had the honor of dedicatedly serving the jamaat in different capacities, including his service as the President of DC Jamaat for 10 years. Read More & Watch Video |
| Abdus Sami Khaliq, Charlotte, NC, 2010 |
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Respected Abdus Sami Khaliq Sahib was born on 4th June, 1943. When he was about 11 months old, he was taken by his grandmother to Boston, where he received his early education in Catholic schools. Sami sahib grew disenchanted with Christianity, but continued to believe in God. It was in 1971 that Sami Sahib met a man who was studying Ahmadiyyat, and had decided to join it. He was introduced to Ahmadiyyat by Raqeeb Wali sahib. Abdus Sami sahib signed bait in 1972, and says “I really felt at home with these brothers. I knew this was it.” Since then Abdus Sami has had the good fortune of attending Jalsa’s in both Qadian and Rabwah and has met three Khulafa in his life. Abdus Sami Sahib is well known as an accomplished photographer. His skill and patience as such is illustrated in his habit of approaching khuddam at a jamaat event and slipping them pictures of themselves from years prior, sometimes even when they were small children. In his own words, this pioneer of True Islam says, “I have been truly blessed to know about Ahmadiyyat the true Islam”. Read More & Watch Video |
| Munir Ahmad, St. Louis 2009 |
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Born april 7th, 1926 in Oxford, Missisippi. You grew up and got drafted in WWII in 1944. I served in Europe from jan 1945 – july 1945. Then went to pacific (Japan) to Philippines. Then came home discharged 1946. Served 26 months of duty. Came back from mississipi, and got married 2 years later. Moved to St Louis in 1951. Went to barber college in st. Louis. Imbrahim Khalil was an Ahmadi who owned the barber shop where I started my apprentership. I was listening more than he thought I was. Accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat in 1953 in St. Louis along with his wife. Read More & Watch Interview. |
| Ahmad Saeed, St. Louis 2009 |
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He was born on February 1st 1924 in east st. louis Illinois. He signed bait in 1950, and was the financial secretary for many years. He is one of the members of that 'pioneering' class of Ahmadiyya, particularly in the midwest.
He went to high school with Missionary Br. Rashid Ahmad and they've been best friends for nearly 70 years. He joined jamaat shortly after Br. Rashid Ahmad here in St. Louis. He has played a major role in the early converts to Ahmadiyya in St. Louis. He was instrumental in the purchase ... Read More & Watch Interview |
| Nooruddin Abdul Latif, New York 2009 |
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Nuruddin Abdul Latif was born in July 1937 in New York NY to Oliver Seth Galloway and Eugenia Mae Johnson. Oliver Seth Galloway was a Baker and cook. Eugenia Mae Johnson, who was a house wife and she was an aspiring journalist. My mother died in 1947. She is fondly remembered and may Allah exalt her soul. Nuruddin Graduated from George Washington High School in June 1955. He attended Baruch College of Business of the City College of New York majoring in Accounting ... Read More & Watch Interview |
| Munir Hamid, Philadelphia 2009 |
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In his own words
Born on June 1, 1938 as Maurice, Munir Hamid grew up in Pennsylvania. During an interview in 2003, he recalls, "my mother and my father were not Muslims. My mother was the spiritual force in our family, but my father was not a religious person at all. My mother encouraged me to join any church-related activity, to the point that she even wanted me to become a minister of a church. Much of the spirituality in my early days was due to my mother, and I think she was indirectly responsible for my eventual ... Read More & Watch Interview |
| Abdur Raqeeb Wali, Merced 2009 |
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Abdur Raqeeb Wali was born in Chester, Pennsylvania on April 17, 1932. He first heard about Ahmadiyyat in 1958 through a non-Ahmadi musician and read "Ahmadiyyat the trule Islam" by Khalifatul Masih the second. That was the book that led him to Ahmadiyyat and he signed bait in Boston in 1959/1960. Wali sahib says that at the time of his bait, he was unemployed and a person of the street. He says that "It was only through Ahmadiyyat that i changed my life and decided to go back to school". He then finished his high school and then went to Brandeis university to major in Mediterrainian ... Read More & Watch Interview |
| Abdul Karim, Chicago 2009 |
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Abdul Karim was born in Cleveland Mississipi in 1941. He moved to Chicago in 1957, and served 2 years in the military from 1963 to 1965. He was introduced to Ahmadiyyat in 1965 by the late Sultan Latif sahib of Chicago, and accepted bait in June 1966. Abdul Karim Sahib's dedication to Islam Ahmadiyyat is a shining example for us all. To this day, he leads by example in almost every jamaat activity - from waqar-e-amal, to tabligh to friday jumas. Brother Karim has held many different offices throughout his service to the jamaat, and has been the President of Chicago East jamaat since its inception ... Read More |
| Hamza Zainuddin, Carolina 2009 |
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Hamza Zainuddin was born in Chester, South Carolina on July 5th 1937. His parents were sharecroppers at the time. He moved to Baltimore in his youth, and was introduced to Ahmadiyyat through a pamphlet that a person living in his apartment building gave him. Brother Zainuddin signed bait in 1960 and since then has been a dedicated member of the community - indeed an example for us all. He has served the jamaat in different capacities. He was the President of Baltimore jamaat for 8 years, during which time he actively promoted tabligh efforts ... Read More & Watch Interview |
| Aliyyah Shaheed, Pittsburgh 2008 |
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She accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat in 1932 and with the grace of Allah she is 95 years old today. She holds the distinction of serving Ahmadiyyat in many capacities, including as National President of Lajna in the United States (auxiliary organization of Ahmadi Muslims representing women). Her award was accepted by her son on her behalf ... Read More & Watch Interview |
| Bilal Abdus Salaam, Philadelphia 2008 |
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Brother Bilal Abdus Salaam Sahib accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat Islam in 1961. Prior to accepting the faith, he served as a Christian minister. He holds the honor of serving Ahmadiyyat Islam in many capacities, with the distinction of being a lifetime devotee to the cause of Ahmadiyyat through the program of Waqf-e-Zindagi ... Read More & Watch Interview |
| Abdur Rahman, Baltimore 2008 |
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He was born in 1909 and grew up as a Baptist in North Carolina, and converted to Ahmadiyyat in the 1940s in Baltimore. He has a long list of services for the cause of Islam Ahmadiyyat. Brother Rahman passed away in 2009. Inna Lillah e Wa Inna Ileh e Rajeoon ... Read More |
| Yusef Abdul Lateef, Boston 2008 |
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He grew up in Detroit, accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat in 1948, and served the community in many capacities since then. He is currently 86 years old, and holds a doctorate in education from University of Massachusetts. He wrote his dissertation on “An Overview of Western and Islamic Education”. Mr. Lateef is also an accomplished world-renowned musician. Many of our readers may recognize his name as the Grammy winning artist in 1987 ... Read More |
| Aminullah Ahmad, Dayton 2008 |
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I was born on March 18th, 1937 in Cincinnati (Ohio) and grew up in Dayton Ohio. I went to college at Central State University in Xenia, Ohio as well as University of Dayton in Ohio. I completed my double major in sociology and political science with a minor in pre-law from these universities. My first job was with the Department of HUD, Model Cities program where I worked for 5 years. Afterwards I worked for 30 years in the city of Dayton administration in the `Planning and Community Development’ department. It has now been 3 years since I retired from this position ... Read More & Watch Interview |
| Bashiruddin Usama, Cleveland 2008 |
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I was born on August 4th, 1932. I am the third child of immigrant parents to America from the island of Jamaica, British West Indies. I grew up in Detroit, Michigan and migrated to New York in my late teens which opened up a whole new world for me. A fellow Jamaican, Vincent, who had heard about Islam, told me we should visit the Mission House at 110 E. 116th street. The missionary at that time was Brother Ghulam Yasin who was a strict disciplinarian in the teachings of Islam and Ahmadiyyat which I later learned resulted in the conversion of many new members of which ... Read More |
| Abid Haneef, Boston 2007 |
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Respected Brother Abid Haneef was born on the 12th of December 1927 in New York, and went to school in Durham, North Carolina. As a young man who was interested in music and Jazz, he move to New York on 138th street. That is when he came into contact with a couple of Ahmadi missionaries - Dr. Khalid Ahmad Nasir and Chaudhary Ghulam Yasin - and started spending time with them along with some other musicians. Brother Haneef has tremendous respect for the dedication of the early Ahmadi missionaries to the U.S., whom he says “were doing it for us” despite the hardships they faced ... Read More & Watch Interview |
| Rasheed Ahmad, Milwaukee 2007 |
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Respected Brother Rasheed Ahmad was born in 1923 in East St. Louis, Illinois. He accepted Ahmadiyyat in 1945 in Chicago. Imam Bengali sahib was the missionary in Chicago at the time, and there were also other converts in Chicago at the time who had come into Ahmadiyyat through Mufti Muhammad Sadiq sahib (ra). One of his earlier friends Brother Abid Haneef sahib, who himself is a convert to Ahmadiyyat, recalls that Brother Rasheed Ahmad was one of the most effective member of the community when it came to tabligh and was known for his honesty ... Read More & Watch Videos |
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