Published on Mar 02 2010 by Tommy Kallon, Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK

Respected Maulana Sahib, Naib Sadr Majlis, Mohtamim Sehat-e-Jismani, Regional Qaid Midlands, Local President Sahib, my dear brothers Ansar, Khuddam and Atfal!

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.

Today, my dear brothers, I feel particularly adoring of my fellow Atfal and Khuddam. It has, for some time, been my vision for Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK to acquire our own sporting centre and, having discussed this with Huzur Aqdas (atba) recently, he has graciously granted us permission to initiate modalities that would, Insha’Allah, one day see us acquire and develop our own centre with fantastic sporting facilities, offices from which Allah’s work can be progressed and a beacon to which our Khuddam, Atfal and other Jama’at members can be drawn, not like a moth to flame, rather, like bees to honey. I am pleased that this National Badminton Tournament today affords me a platform to speak a bit more about this. But I will touch on that a little later.

Before I do, let me speak to you about another reason why I am pleased today. I am delighted to see you all here today, my dear brothers, at one of the flagship sporting events on our calendar. This is the first national sporting event this year and it looks like sports, in the UK, has very much returned to ‘business as usual’. Manchester United have today won the Carling Cup, the first domestic trophy of the football season, while Liverpool continue unabashed in their customary battle for fourth place finish in the Premiership which they do not look like winning. As I said, I am delighted today!

The National Badminton Tournament is always an especially joyous occasion because here, the full spectrum of age groups have the chance not only to participate but also to envision and experience, at close range, the drive and spirit that are central features of excellence and high achievement. This spirit of excellence and high achievement is central to the very fabric of a Muslim.

Before I speak with you about why that is important, I must thank, once more, Farooq Mirza Sahib, our Mohtamim Sehat-e-Jismani, for another excellent sporting event. Whilst he is, for want of a better word, too ‘muscular’ to be number one in badminton, his leadership of an excellent and, dare I say, well-dressed departmental team has once again established him as number one in organising successful sporting events – at least for now.

However, these successes are not borne out of individual efforts. Rather, the success of today, everything from registration to refereeing, from first aid to food arrangements, is the product of many component parts, not just the ones that I have just mentioned. All of those are served by loyal Khuddam. Accordingly, I must also mention, with gratitude, Regional Qaid Midlands, Bilal Bhatti Sahib, and his team for their excellent work in hosting this event. The fact that I have not mentioned by name all of the team should not disguise my affection for you. I am sure that each and every one of the Sehat-e-Jismani and Midland Regional organising team are deserving of our thanks and prayers. Of course, I am also pleased that all the participants have made an effort to attend from across various regions in the UK. May Allah be pleased with you all.

I mention these preparations not just to thank those that undertake them but to draw your attention to the very ingredients of success. Common to most aspects of life, those ingredients are the basis from which a life of beauty, contentment and spiritual enlightenment can be created. Obedience, good intentions, hard work, proper planning, due diligence, endurance and prayer – these are some of the components that are the fabric of a good Ahmadi Muslim. The challenge for us is to harness and develop these skills to make us even better than we currently are. There are many avenues open to us from our administrative agenda to our educational programmes to our humanitarian endeavours. But Sehat-e-Jismani is also an essential constituent of that development.

Islam is that universal sphere of guidance which gives us a foundation and framework for a comprehensive way of life. Muslims that recognise it are the providential ones. The Holy Prophet (saw) himself was an enlightening example to us. He encouraged participation in sporting activities and is reported to have engaged in races with Hadhrat Aisha (ra). He was also keen on archery, swimming and horse riding. There was great wisdom in his sporting enterprises. Recent studies of school-aged children indicate that physical activity programs help children develop social skills, improve mental health and reduce risk-taking behaviors [1].

When we are strong – physically, mentally and spiritually – that strength makes us far better placed to serve Allah; constituting a holistic preparation for each Khadim and Tifl in the service of his Lord. That service includes the intellectual and physical defence of our faith within Islamic parameters, the efforts to proliferate Ahmadiyyat, the true Islam, and the service of Allah’s creatures.

Accordingly, Islam wisely supports sporting activity when they are for positive reasons. Badminton is one of those positive examples. It is an excellent example of how sport exercises both mind and body, strengthening alike physical stamina and mental prowess. A history of the game of badminton reveals that it was originally called “battledore” developed in India by British military officers in the 18th Century as a strategic and physical game requiring skill, strategy and stamina. I am told that the shuttlecock is called a ‘bird’ in Urdu and can reach speeds of 100 miles an hour. As we have seen in today’s final, its rapid pace requires players to deliver precision and accuracy in their shots whilst maintaining both endurance and agility.

And so, badminton whilst being a physical game and racquet sport, develops reflexes, strategic thinking and mental agility. These are life skills which are useful to you on a daily basis. Khuddam and Atfal must enhance these skills to react both quickly and wisely under pressure. These skills and the physical strength and camaraderie that sport creates are tools which can, if you choose to learn their lessons, be central in your service to Allah.

Abu Hurairah (ra) relates that the Holy Prophet (saw) once said, “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, while there is good in both.” The actions of a believer are ultimately orchestrated by the superlative command of Allah and orientated towards attaining His pleasure only. It is for that reason that the Holy Prophet (saw) encouraged Muslims to take care of their health and the gift of Allah that is their body. Indeed, according to one Hadith in Bukhari: “Your body also has a right over you.”

It is no wonder then that when the foundation stone of Awan-e-Mahmud in Rabwah, Pakistan was laid by Hadhrat Musleh Maud (ra) on 5 April 1952, he envisioned a symbol of great progress for Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya. It was to be a centre of excellence and a place from where Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya would flourish with expediency and grace.

At that time, although Khuddam were relatively small in number, Hadhrat Musleh Maud(ra)’s vision for their progress was grand. He allocated 65,000 square feet to Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya and the same to Majlis Ansarullah. Hadhrat Musleh Maud(ra)’s  conviction that despite their then small numbers, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya would flourish is a testament not only to the foresight of Khilafat but also to the benign protection of Allah, the Almighty. Despite the intense and unyielding attacks of the anti-Ahmadi majority, Allah has seen fit to multiply the Jama’at and as a consequence Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya into the millions, beyond what was conceivable to some when it was first established.

Awan-e-Mahmood was intended to be Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya’s own space, where it could hold sporting events and Ijtema'at, where Khuddam could gather together and be proud of their facilities. The 40,000 square feet allocated to Ijtema grounds would accommodate between 2,500 and 3,000 Khuddam. Today Awan-e-Mahmud is the home to national departmental offices including those of Sadr Majlis, a guest house, badminton hall, separate Atfal offices and a library. Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Pakistan also has a blood bank, squash courts and workshops to train Khuddam in vehicle mechanics.

The great blessings of Awan-e-Mahmud arose not only because of the buildings but because the pleasure that it brought to the Khalifa of the time elicited his earnest prayers which are key to Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya’s stunning progress.

It is heartening to learn that in his address, Hadhrat Musleh Maud (ra) expressed great joy that Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya had established their centre. Indeed, he said that this example should be replicated by Majlis Ansarullah who he said, in that respect, lagged far behind Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya.

The establishment of the centre and the leadership shown by Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya was one of the most momentous occasions in its history. But its foundation lies not in bricks and mortar. It lies in the love for and obedience to Khilafat. Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, at that time, was able to respond to the call of the Khalifa with passion and alacrity.

With that in mind and blessed with the seat of Khilafat amongst us, it is too my desire, my prayer that Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK builds its own version of Awan-e-Mahmud. We are incredibly fortunate that Huzur Aqdas (atba) has recently given approval for this project. It is a project that may not get completed during my tenure of office as Sadr Majlis or even during my limited days with you in Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya. But, my dear brothers, it is my sincerest desire that the process for making this vision a reality begins now.

To a large extent it depends on us meeting our obligation on our guest house. As you know, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK now owns its own guest house right opposite Masjid Baitul Fazl which was inaugurated by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V (atba) in 2007 naming it “Sarai Khidmat” literally meaning “Abode of Service”.

Huge expenditure has already been undertaken by way of the acquisition and construction of Sarai Khidmat but there is still a sizable loan left to repay. With Huzur(atba)’s blessed approval, I recently launched a fund raising appeal to the Majlis, in accordance with the traditions of our beloved Jama’at, to help cover the outstanding loan. I am grateful that this National Badminton Tournament has provided me with a platform to reinforce and reiterate this message to the Majlis and request every Khadim to make their donations to their respective Qaideen. Your donations will not only allow us to complete our repayment on Sarai Khidmat but any excess funds will go towards the establishment of a new Sports Centre.

A day when our own centre which provides substantial sporting facilities and offices; an abode from which we can project the splendour of Ahmadiyyat; a place from which Khuddam and Atfal in the UK can supplicate for the boundless irradiation of Islam is, Insha’Allah, not far away. This envisioned centre should stand as an inspiring beacon and springboard from which Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK can continue to be the backbone of Jama’at Ahmadiyya in the UK and a leading example to Khuddam across the world.

And if we are to lead the world by example, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK’s enthusiasm and devotion to the service of Khilafat should stand as the yardstick against which others calibrate the measure of their service to our beloved Khalifa. Therefore, while I urge you to make a donation towards Sarai Khidmat and the proposed new centre, I must remind you of another far worthier appeal launched by our Beloved Huzur (atba) himself in his last Friday Sermon. In the course of a detailed exposition on the care and upbringing of orphans as prescribed by Islam, Huzur (atba) remarked:

“The objective is to bring them up in a manner that they become the best part of society. Orphans can lose their potential due to inferiority complex. They should be brought up in a manner that they become the best in society. Their upbringing should neither be too strict nor too lenient; it should be like one brings up one’s own children. The right of an orphan is the same as that of a child with parental support.” (Quoted from Al Islam, Archive of Friday Sermons)

Huzur (atba) then, at the end of his sermon, launched an appeal for the Yatama Scheme and remarked that, by his estimation, if every Ahmadi in the West, gave £7-10 per head annually it would meet all the expenses involved in caring for the thousands of orphans that the Jama’at is looking after in Pakistan.

Following Huzur(atba)’s sermon, I have already dispatched a message to the Majlis yesterday urging all members to respond and respond promptly to the call of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih adding that if you profess to love Khilafat then now is an opportune time to demonstrate it. The annual amount Huzur (atba) has urged the members to donate, £10 per head, is a relatively small amount. Yet it will make a huge difference in the lives of a less fortunate section of humanity. I am duty bound therefore to inform all members of the Majlis that you must respond first and foremost to the Yatama Appeal launched by Huzur Aqdas (atba) before making any donations to Sarai Khidmat and the proposed new Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK centre.

I want to close with this. This vision of our own centre is grand yet, with Allah’s support and succour, it is achievable. From a few humble people in the village of Qadian, the Jama’at has now spread to the corners of the earth. It is now established in 195 countries and numbering in tens of millions. Its expansion is continuing by the day. In the same way, the aspiration of our own version of Awan-e-Mahmud will also, Insha’Allah, be achieved.

Let none of us forget that we are the heirs of a modern day spiritual revolution. The quest for the unification of mankind under the canopy of Allah’s mercy is the same revolutionary struggle initiated by the Promised Messiah (as) that we now take responsibility for.

The spirit of competition and desire to win that we have seen here today in this tournament does not exist in isolation. We are competitors in all things good and we shall prevail. We hereby alert the world that we shall always be ready to sacrifice our life, wealth, time and honour for the sake of our faith, country and nation. There is no burden that we will not bear; there is no hardship that we will not endure.

Islam is a religion for all, in which every human being is equal in the sight of Allah, separated only by their level of righteousness. So, my brothers, compete with each other both in sport and in the service of Allah including financial sacrifices. As Allah says in the Holy Qur’an, “Vie, then, with one another in good works. To Allah shall you all return; then will He inform you of that wherein you differed.” (Ch.5:V.49)

That should remind you that we stand here today a special generation. One that is enveloped by the physical presence of Khilafat, charged with the role of serving Allah and His creation and with spreading His message. Insha’Allah, our energy, our devotion, our indefatigable faith in the message of the Promised Messiah (as) will bring further light to this great country. I pray that light emanates, in great measure, from the new facilities that we shall, Insha’Allah, build together. Ameen.

Thanks for having me. Wassalamu Alaikum.

Tommy Kallon.
Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK
 

1. Physical Activity and Student Performance at School. Howard Taras, pp.214 Journal of School Health, August 2005, Vol. 75, No. 6