Voice of British Muslim Women

Kholood Tahir Munir, London

_{(Editor’s note: His Holiness Khalifatul Masih V has delivered two inspirational addresses to Ahmadi Muslim women in the last few months. We reflect over these through a series of blogs as we learn from the guidance contained within.)}

The physical presence of His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper) has the power to melt hearts and being addressed by His Holiness live and in person is such an unworldly experience that there are no words that can describe it. It has happened so often that the impact of His Holiness’ words is so powerful, that they are left echoing in your mind for days to come. And it is literally beyond my comprehension how every time, even though there are hundreds of other attendees in the hall, it feels like beloved His Holiness’ words are meant just for me, that  His Holiness  can see straight into our heart and knows exactly the challenges we are facing and knows precisely how to solve them. Indeed, this year’s National Ijtema and the Ladies Session at Jalsa Salana UK were no different.

Our schooling years, some would argue, are the most important years of our life. Every day when we sit in our classroom at school, with our books open in front of us and pen in hand, we are not only learning about the Laws of Newton, the Theorems of Pythagoras and Shakespeare’s literature, but more importantly we are learning about ourselves.  We are finding out who we are and finding out what matters to us the most. Naturally we turn to your surroundings, the society and our friends to find this, and often it becomes instinct to board the people-pleasing train in fear of being outcasted for being different. Many would agree that navigating our education, faith, and identity in an environment full of overbearing pressures to fit in and to be liked, is no easy task. Since His Holiness’ addresses at Jalsa and Ijtema, this year whenever faced with such a situation, his words of “never forget who you are” and “take pride” resound in my mind and I find so much strength and comfort, that I am always left without even a shadow of doubt to do the right thing without any reservations or fear of being judged by others. Indeed,  His Holiness’  addresses have made it crystal clear in my mind that it is only God we should be trying to please and only His approval we should be seeking and at so many points of my life this has lesson has been the most invaluable for me.

One of the western world’s renowned myth about Islam is that Muslim women are oppressed. Having grown up in these societies, which themselves are deeply rooted in gender inequality, the gender pay gap and lack of women in leadership roles to name but two examples, I can say without a doubt that in my entire life, I have felt most liberated and empowered during  His Holiness’  addresses to women. In every address from as early as I can remember, His Holiness has given us such precious and vital guidance, and although I did not understand it then, with time I have come to understand that every word is solely for our best interests, to protect us and to protect the moral standards of society. In all the world, I have come across no such leader who cares for us, who prays for us, guides us, who shares in our losses and happiness, who motivates us to to “appreciate all the opportunities offered” to us, and encourages us to not only to pursue, but to “seek to excel” in our education. Through these words, I have built my confidence and have been inspired to work even harder in my studies and have felt empowered to be able to do so. Indeed, to have had the incredible privilege to grow up under the guidance of Khilafat, I consider myself the luckiest person in the world, Alhamdolillah (all praise belongs to Allah). No matter how much we thank God for bestowing us with this blessing, it would never be enough, I pray we become worthy and deserving of this immense blessing and that we are ones to take heed of the  invaluable guidance His Holiness gives us and always stay protected against the ills of society. Ameen.

I end with a quote from His Holiness’ addresses, one which I mention above and one which whenever I read, fills my heart with strength, power and confidence: “So remember why you have this chance and never forget who you are; rather, take pride in your faith and religion.”