Published on Jul 03 2009 by Yousaf Aftab

 
On the 30th May 2009, MKA North East held an annual Khidmat-e-Khalq Activity Day, it turned out to be a beautiful sunny day and it was on that morning at 10am that the Khuddam from the region met at Masjid Al-Mahdi, where refreshments were available to the Khuddam coming from other Qiadats.
 
The day started with Tilawat, Hadith and Malfoozat that highlight the importance of Khidmat-e-Khalq. All Khuddam were reminded of the 9th Condition of Bai’at by regional Khidmat-e-Khalq Nazim Mahmood Syed Sahib.
 
The Forestry Manager of Bradford, Ian Butterfield briefed all Khuddam on the program for the day and Regional Qaid Yousaf Aftab Sahib concluded the first session to the day with silent prayer and we set off in convoy to the site. 
 
38 Khuddam took part in the event, and were accompanied by 8 Atfal.
We arrived at Wrose Brow (the tree planting site) around 11am; the plan of the day was to split up into different teams with each team having a separate activity, all the team leaders were informed of their duties and allocated the man power respectively.
 

1. Wildflower Meadow– Luqman Omer Sahib and his team of 10 Khuddam planted around 1000 flowers on the day. Tools such as pick axes were used to break into the soil and plant the wildflowers.


2. Creating footpaths in the new woodland area and the task of knotting was carried out by Adeem Rubani Sahib and his team of 4 Khuddam. They were able to complete their task of knot weeding the allocated area within the given time.


3. Fencing off an area of new planting & step improvements was undertaken by Nadeem Uddin Sahib and team. The steps and paths were strimmed and completed within a few hours, ready for the local residents and walkers to use.


4. Post removal was led by Nadeem Ahmed Sahib. Around 20 posts (3 feet deep underground) needed to be taken out. This role involved a lot of strength and endurance; by the Grace of Allah this team of 10 Khuddam were able to accomplish their task before the end of the day using spades, pick axes and large poles used to prise out the posts.


5. High Pruning was given to Toseef Anwar Sahib who led his group of 10 Khuddam. As part of their activity they were given tools such as saws and branch cutters. The problem they faced was that the area of trees by the walking path on the site had become quite dense with branches.  The local community had expressed their concern about not being able to see into the woods clearly.  The idea of the pruning was to cut away branches up to a certain level so that more light would come through making for a safer area for walkers.   The team plunged into the woods and spread out; working in 2's making steady progress.  After a few hours a real difference could be seen and the forestry manager commented as such.


6. The task of widening, levelling a main footpath and creating steps was given to Arfan Ahmed Sahib and his team of 3 Khuddam. They worked on a small hill in formulating it into paths with steps. The work carried out has made the woodlands a safe place for all visitors and residents to work through.


7. Step Building & installing a bench (at the top of the site) was allocated to Nasir Amini Sahib, his team of four Khuddam had put in a valiant effort in attempting to break the stone to create flat steps, Ian Butterfield later altered the plan and merged them with Arfan’s team. By the Grace of Allah the bench was made in good time.

Lunch was organised by Sanaullah Mir Sahib and the sandwiches graciously prepared by 12 Khuddam of Bradford South the night before.
 
The local press was invited by Mahmood Syed Sahib and subsequently published the article “Digging in to help, naturally” in the Telegraph & Argus on Wednesday 10th June 2009.
 
The photography was graciously undertaken by Nasir Amini Sahib, and the site clear up was undertaken by all Khuddam.
 
The biggest attendance of the day was from Huddersfield (19) May Allah reward them in kind.
After wrapping up the activities around 3pm, everybody joined in the final silent prayer led by Regional Qaid Sahib and made their way home, content in the knowledge that they had come together as Khuddam ul Ahmadiyya and managed to help our environment and our local community.
 
All in all, the day was very successful; the Forestry Manager who expected us to partially complete the work by 5pm; was overwhelmed with the amount of work carried out with such commitment, professionalism and was enchanted with the sheer discipline of the volunteers.
 
He has expressed his desire to carry on building the relationship with MKA, which was first forged through the planting of 200 trees and 100 wildflowers to mark the Khilafat Centenary last year.
 
One follow up is to create a plaque for the site; the other is to plan to engage other faiths to work with MKA in such activities.
 
May Allah enable MKA North East continue to strive to meet every directive of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V (atba), InshaAllah.