Voice of British Muslim Women

Hania Arian, London

Regardless of our faith, age, occupation, or geographical location, the Covid 19 pandemic has been a costly affair for us all; emotionally, physically and, for many, spiritually. Personally, one of the greatest losses I have experienced is that I have not had the opportunity to be in the physical presence of our beloved Khalifa, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper) since the start of the pandemic. Sadly, this also reflects the time since I have had the blessed opportunity to Pray, in congregation, behind His Holiness – supplicating before Allah behind the Imam of the time brings with it a special closeness to Allah and an unparalleled satisfaction. I pray that time quickly comes again.

It is while writing this that the length of that time, without a single glimpse, has hit me fully; two years that have felt like twenty. And it is in this time that I have felt even a sliver of what Ahmadi Muslims around the world, who sadly have not had the blessed opportunity to physically meet His Holiness, may feel.

Though I always knew, I have now truly realised how incredibly blessed I am to have had these opportunities. The highlight of my life has always been the meetings with His Holiness that every Ahmadi Muslim eagerly waits for. Then, there were the times where I managed to unexpectedly catch a glimpse of His Holiness. The days spent eagerly waiting to see him on his way to Prayers, at Jalsa (Annual Convention), the Eids where we were able to greet His Holiness as he graciously came to give Eid greetings after Eid Prayers, seeing His Holiness leave his office as we passed by the Fazl Mosque; these countless treasured memories jotted woven into my life.

There is this indescribable feeling that overcomes one in His Holiness’ presence. A feeling of excitement mixed with eagerness mixed with happiness mixed with a unique nervousness. It is a feeling that cannot be put into words yet ask anyone and they will know what I mean. This is the feeling of meeting the one whom you love and respect so greatly, that nothing else can compare. It is what unites us and what makes the whole world a unified community for every Ahmadi Muslim.

Wherever you turn, love and welcoming arms await; for we are one under Khilafat. We are enriched and secure in the knowledge that our beloved Khalifa (may Allah be his Helper) will always be there for us and we for him. For, without a doubt, we are his, and he is ours. 

Which other leader meets with every single person, young, old, poor and rich, under his leadership? Who loves us as a father does his children and who prays for every single one of us, every single day of the year. Who catches us as we falter and helps guide us to the right path. I do not know of anyone apart from our beloved His Holiness.

For now, until I am once again awarded an opportunity to be His Holiness’s physical presence, being able to see him on MTA, our Community’s satellite TV, shall have to suffice. With Allah’s grace, through the weekly Friday Sermons and through the programme ‘This Week With Huzoor’, I forever feel close to His Holiness.

I am therefore extremely grateful to Allah, that through His Holiness, He has given me an opportunity to be closer to Him. All praise belongs to Allah, that I was born under Khilafat and that I did not have to find my way to it.