Ahmadiyya Headquarter Shifts

In May 1950, Ahmadiyya Headquarter USA was shifted from Chicago to Washington D.C. (Al-Fazl, 24 June 1950, p. 5) 

Ahmadiyya circles were realigned from May 1950.

(1) New York Circle, In-charge missionary Ghulam Yasin Khan, Missions: Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Maryland states.

(2) Pittsburgh Circle, In-charge Missionary Abdul Qadir Zaighum, Missions: Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan States.

(3) Missouri Circle, In-charge missionary Shukar Ilahi, Missions: Missouri, Illinois and Indiana States.

(The Ahmadiyya Gazette, USA June 1950, Vol. 1, No. 4, p. 2)

Third Annual Convention

Third annual convention of Ahmadiyya Community USA was held in Cleveland, Ohio on 2-3 September 1950. This was the first time that Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya and Lajna Ima’illah auxiliaries held their separate meetings. Two hundred attended. (Al-Fazl, 10 September 1950, p. 1).

Milwaukee WI Chapter

A new chapter of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA was established in Milwaukee WI, near Chicago in the year 1950. (Al-Fazl, 10 September 1950).

A School Named “Nur-ud-Din”

A school named “Nur-ud-Din” was established in the US to teach religion to new converts in America to prepare them for the propagation of Islam in the US. Its aim was to impart Islamic teachings to American people (Al-Fazl, 21 June 1950, p. 2).

The Philosophy of Teaching of Islam

Ahmadiyya Mission USA published “The Philosophy of Teaching of Islam” by the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) and Mahdi. (Ahmadiyyat, the Renaissance of Islam by Chaudhri M. Zafrulla Khan, p. 82).

In the year 1951, Muhammad Zafrulla Khan was representing Pakistan in United States. Mr. Truman, President of US gave a message to American nation. The next day a meeting of Muhammad Zafrulla Khan with Mr. Truman was scheduled. He made some comments on his speech during the meeting. He said to the President that he remembered a few verses from the Holy Qur’an about two principles he mentioned in his message. He narrated those verses to him in English. President Truman took deep interest and wanted to see those verses in Qur’an himself. Zafrulla Khan sent him a copy of the Holy Qur’an with English translation. (Tarikh-i-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 15, p. 439).

Fourth US Annual Convention

The Fourth US Annual Convention was held in Cleveland, Ohio on 1-2 September 1951. Two hundred attended from all over the US. The Ahmadiyya Mission USA published the following books of Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him). (Tarikh Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 14, p. 43) .

1. Communism and Democracy
2. Why I believe in Islam?
3. Ahmadiyya Islam, the true Islam

The mission also published the book of Chaudhri Muhammad Zafrulla Khan, “Moral Principles as the basis of Islamic Culture.” (Al-Fazl, 16 October 1951, p. 4)

Land Donated

In Dayton, a piece of land was donated by Brother Wali Kareem and his wife Latifa Kareem next to their home. They wanted the Ahmadiyya mosque to be built on the lot. A ground digging ceremony was held and many members of all Jama’ats were there. At first a basement was put in with one small kitchen, two bathrooms and an auditorium. There was no office or telephone. (The Ahmadiyya Gazette USA, Vol. 72, Nos. 10-12 and Vol. 73, Nos. 1-9, October 2020-September 2021, p. 531).

Fifth Annual Convention

The Fifth Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Community USA was held in Dayton, Ohio from 31 August to 1 September 1952. Delegates from all the Ahmadiyya Missions in America participated. (The Review of Religions, August 1952).

President Dwight Eisenhower

Dwight Eisenhower was inaugurated as 34th US President. He was the first US President to visit Islamic Republic of Pakistan. (Wikipedia),

An American Writer and Scholar

An American writer and scholar Mr. Donald N. Wilber wrote about agitation in Punjab, Pakistan:

“But in 1953 agitation directed against them by other Moslems became so violent that it shook the very foundation of the new state.” (“Pakistan: Its people its society its culture,” HRAF Press, New Haven, p. 95).

Sixth Annual Ahmadiyya Muslim Convention

Sixth Annual Ahmadiyya Muslim convention USA was held in YMCA Hall and Chicago-Mosque on 30-31 May 1953. More than 250 attended. (Tarikh Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 16, p. 205).

On 17 May 1954, the Supreme Court of the United States gave a landmark decision and declared that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional. The US President sent federal troops to Central High School in Little Rock, Ark., to enforce integration of black students on 24 September 1954. (Wikipedia).

Seventh Annual Ahmadiyya Muslim Convention

The Seventh Annual Ahmadiyya Muslim convention USA was held in Pittsburgh, PA on 4-5 September 1954. More than 250 attended. (Tarikh Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 16, p. 431).

Syed Jawad Ali Shah Appointed Missionary

Syed Jawad Ali Shah was appointed as US missionary from 27 December 1954 and took over as Secretary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA in Washington D.C. 

His missionary efforts continued for six years. He returned to Pakistan in July 1960. (Al-Fazl, 20 April 1956, Al-Fazl, 30 July 1960).

He returned to the US in January 1963 and worked in Washington D.C., Chicago, and St. Louis. He finished his tenure of duty on 14 March 1971.(Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA, 50th Jalsa Salana Souvenir, June 1998, p. 57, Al-Fazl, 18 October 1994, p. 7).

Mission in Harlem

A mission started working in a rented house in Harlem, Manhattan (New York). The propagation work continued in spite of great difficulties. The mission continued to work at different rented houses. Then a house was procured in Brooklyn, New York. Missionary Chaudhri Ghulam Yasin had been working here for fifteen years. (Tabshir file USA).

Life Magazine Article

The American weekly magazine Life published a detailed feature on Ahmadiyya Islam on 9 May 1955. It wrote that in 1890, a reformer Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian interpreted Islam for the modern era, and that his coming was foretold both in the Bible and the Quran. He claimed to be both the Messiah and the Mahdi. His teachings were liberal and pacifistic. A newspaper from Peshawar, Pakistan, analyzed the article. It stated that Jama’at Ahmadiyya International took a big stride in preaching activities all over the world. Due to its efforts in the last half century, western countries are acquainted with Islamic teachings. (Loh-o-Qalam, Peshawar, October 28, (1955) and Daily Al-Fazl, November 11, (1955), p. 5, Tarikh Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 17, pp. 283-289).

Eighth Annual Ahmadiyya Muslim Convention

The Eighth Annual Ahmadiyya Muslim Convention USA was held in St. Louis, Missouri on 3-4 September 1955. Following missions were represented: New York, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, Dayton, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Boston and Youngstown. (Al-Fazl, 22-24 November 1955, Tarikh Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 17, p. 314).

Khalifa’s Message

Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him) wrote a message for Ahmadis of the USA about the system of Al-Wasiyyat. (Tarikh Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 17, pp. 104-112).

Prof. Stakman Speaks in Rabwah

Prof. Stakman, Agriculture Advisor Rockefeller Foundation USA delivered a speech on “Agriculture and Science” on 31 January 1956 at Rabwah, Pakistan. He had an audience with the Promised Reformer. (Al-Fazl, 1 February 1956, pp. 1-8).

Biographies of Religious Leaders

A New York firm published a book “Biographies of Religious Leaders.” It came to the knowledge of Khalifatul-Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him) that offensive language was used against Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). (Tarikh Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 18, p. 217).

Khalifatul-Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him) instructed to write a reply to the American Firm who wrote derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet. The firm was informed accordingly. Timely reply forced the firm to send a written apology. (Tarikh Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 18, p. 219).

Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Passes Away

Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sadiq, pioneer of Ahmadiyya Mission in USA, passed away on 13 January 1957. (Al-Fazl, 15 January 1957, p. 1).

Chaudhri Zafrulla Khan Gives Lectures

Chaudhri Muhammad Zafrulla Khan gave lectures at Columbia University and the northeastern state of Maine as follows:

Bernard College for Women on “Islam.”

Muslim Association on “Islamic Faith” on 26 February 1957.

Muslim Association on “The moral and spiritual values of Islam” on 2 March 1957.

Muslim Association on “The social and economic values of Islam” on 7 March 1957.

Bowdoin College on “Universe, design or accident” on 7 March 1957.

A speech to American Friends of the Middle East on 26 March 1957.

Tenth Annual Ahmadiyya Muslim Convention

The Tenth Annual Ahmadiyya Muslim Convention USA was held in Dayton, Ohio on 31 August to 2 September 1957. Planning of the Jama’at and financial budget were discussed. The message of Wakil-ut-Tabshir was also read. (Al-Nur April-September 2020, p. 164).

Wife of Missionary Passes Away

The wife of missionary Syed Jawad Ali died on 14 March 1958 in a Pittsburgh hospital and was buried there. Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih IV led her funeral prayer in absentia as a martyr. (Shuhada-e-Ahmadiyyat, Aaghaz-ta-Khilafat-4, p. 131).

Eleventh Annual Ahmadiyya Muslim Convention

The Eleventh Annual Ahmadiyya Muslim Convention USA was held in Pittsburgh, PA. Following missions were represented: Boston, Cambridge, Trenton, Winston Town, New York, Montclair, Newark, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Louisville, Annesburg, Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, Youngstown, Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, Dayton, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, St. Louis, Canal Zone and Canada. The meetings of Lajna Ima’illah and Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya were held on 30 August. (Al-Fazl, 7 June, 11, 23 September, 11-12 November 1958, Tarikh Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 20, p. 287).

Majlis Ansarullah Formed

Majlis Ansarullah was formed at the twelfth Annual Convention of US held in Chicago on 5-6 September 1959. First President was Ahmad Shaheed of Pittsburgh and Secretary Muhammad Sadiq of New York (Personal file of Syed Jawad Ali Shah 1959, p. 28).