Chicago Daily News

The activities of US Ahmadiyya mission were mentioned in the Chicago Daily News of 11 and 14 August 1930, the Chicago Defender of 16 August 1930, the Indianapolis Star of 11 September 1930, the Indianapolis Recorder of 19 September 1930, the Saint Louis Star of 27 September 1930 and the East St. Louis Journal of 26 September 1930. (The Ahmadiyya Gazette USA, Vol. 72, April-September 2020, p. 56).

Scholarly Discourses

Missionary Sufi M.R. Bengalee wrote two scholarly discourses on “The Tomb of Jesus Christ” and “The Life of Muhammad in Mecca.” Most of the references in the article are from books of the Promised Messiah. (The Moslem Sunrise, Vol. IV, No. 1, pp. 30-36).

Springfield Union Reports

The Springfield Union, Springfield, Massachusetts reported: Dr. Bengalee arrives in the city, fixed in purpose of spreading Islam faith. He added that Moslems believe in Jesus Christ and Prophets such as Moses, Abraham, Buddha and Confucius but did not deify them. (The Springfield Union Springfield, Massachusetts February 17, 1932).

Leading Newspapers Report Activities

The activities of Ahmadiyya mission were reported in US leading newspapers:
Similarly, the Morning Call Allentown, Pennsylvania of 28 February 1932, the Independent Spiritualist Association Church Bulletin, Grand Rapids, Michigan of May 1932, the Detroit News, Detroit, Michigan of 15 June 1932, the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio of 23 June 1932 and the Cleveland Press, Cleveland, Ohio of 23 June 1932, “Dharma” Journal of all world Gandhi fellowship, New York of January-June 1932, wrote similar views about Ahmadiyya Mission.

Abington Friends

Sufi M.R. Bengalee spoke in ‘Abington Friends’ Meeting. The Cleveland Plain Dealer Cleveland, Ohio gave this heading in its publication of June 25, 1932. “Seeks converts to Islam here. Mohammedan missionary also wishes to correct wrong ideas on religion.”

Lectures to Students

Dr. M.R. Bengalee delivered lectures to students and teachers of Austin, which was reported in Austin Times of 16 December 1932. The progressive Thinker reported “Path of Peace” in his publication of 21 November 1932; “The overcoming of religious and race prejudices.” Kalamazoo Gazette of Saturday, April 8, 1933, made headline “Sufi Bengalee in city to form Moslem Chapter.” The magazine mentioned about Ahmadiyya Movement and their goals. (The Moslem Sunrise, April-July 1933, Vol. VI No. 3-4, p. 37).

Repeal of Eighteenth Ammendent

The Eighteenth Amendment to the US Constitution was repealed in 1933. It had prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of liquor.

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Dr. Muhammad Yusuf Khan, an honorary Ahmadiyya missionary of the USA, appointed Sister Aliyyah Muhammad as first President of the women’s “Sewing Circle.” (From Nycemah Yaqub-African American Journey to Islam).

World Fellowship of Faith

The World Fellowship of Faith was held in Chicago and New York in August-September 1933, 199 representatives of all faiths, races and countries, delivered 242 addresses at 83 sessions, seeking a solution for the world’s problems.

Sufi M.R. Bengalee read a message of Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him). Chaudhri Muhammad Zafrulla Khan made a profound impression by his modest but masterly address “Islam Promoting World Unity, Peace and Progress” on 1 September 1933. Sufi Bengali’s thoughtful, informative address on “Islam the Solution of World Problems,” was an effective contribution to the evening session, on 14 September 1933. (The Moslem Sunrise, November 1933, Vol. 6, No. 3-4, pp. 43-44).

Chicago Defender

The Chicago Defender of 1 September 1934 made a headline as “Open new Moslem Mosque in city.”

Return of Sufi M.R. Bengalee

In 1935, upon return of Sufi M.R. Bengalee from India, he announced in his first speech at Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) that American Ahmadi Muslim women would henceforth call their Sewing Circles, Lajna Ima’illah, a name that was used internationally. This was of special significance for American sisters because it implied a Society of the Maidservants of God honoring its pledge. (The Ahmadiyya Gazette, USA, Vol. 72, Nos. 10-12 and Vol. 73, Nos. 1-9, October 2020-September 2021, pp. 183-4).

Professor John Clarke Orchard

Professor John Clarke Orchard of Department of Religious Studies, Yale University, USA arrived in Qadian and conversed with Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul-Masih II on issues relating to Islam. (Tarikh Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 7, p. 437).

Obstacles for Missionaries

Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him) said when a missionary was not allowed to enter the USA: We are experiencing many obstacles. A new experience has happened. The American government did not allow entry to our missionary Muhammad Ibrahim Nasir. The plea was that he had faith in polygamy. (Friday Sermon of Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II dated 15 November 1937, published in Al-Fazl, 18 November 1937, pp. 5-6, Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat by Dost Muhammad, Vol. 7, p. 82).

Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya

Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya (Youth members of the Ahmadiyya community aged 15 to 40 years) USA was officially formed in March 1939 at Chicago. (Al-Fazl, 29 July 1939).