Voice of British Muslim Women

Bareera Ghaffar, Birmingham

As it celebrates its 100 years, I reflect on how Lajna Ima’illah, the women’s auxiliary organisation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community enables and encourages not only me, but many women around the globe to serve Islam Ahmadiyyat. It is like being swathed by the true and pure sense of sisterhood, like cold hands are drawn to the comfort of a fire, it is to feel the warmth and vigour of womanhood, spirituality, and community.

Ubuntu (Zulu pronunciation: [ùɓúntʼù] – is a Nguni Bantu phrase meaning “humanity,” which at times can be translated as “I am because we are” (also “I am because you are”), or “humanity towards others”. This ancient African philosophy is stitched into the very fabric and teachings of Lajna Ima’illah. It embodies the essence of ‘I am because we are”. This philosophy is also in line with the Islamic concept of Huqoq Al ‘Ibaad (our duties towards humankind).  The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community has said the main commandments of the Holy Qur’an are two: (1) Unity of God and love and obedience to the Almighty Creator Who possesses the greatest attributes, and (2) kindness towards humankind.

To serve, is part of the very foundation of Islam Ahmadiyyat and is an act of spirituality. Service to mankind is an act of worship, here we have an entire auxiliary organisation of learned, committed, innovative women who serve. Who serve in the name of God. As stated by His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper) in an address in 2019 “My philosophy is that if women work outside the shade of men, they flourish”. We see this, with the Grace of Allah the Almighty there are many areas of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community run by women and that women work in, that women flourish in, be that within outreach, security, press and media, teaching, translations of books and programmes, producing, hosting, graphic design…etc the list is endless. Secularly, the women of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community thrive in the fields they are in and are willing to help and share their expertise and give guidance to other women who aspire to be in those fields.

To add, within this Lajna Imaillah is PAAMA (Pan African Ahmadiyya Muslim Association) Lajna, whose very aim is to form a bond and enrich women of the African diaspora who have moved to different countries and show them, that they have a community and that their expertise is very much needed and embraced. Now, if it was not the shared sense of devotion and love for God, why would so many women spend their time in these different roles? Where would one find the strength and will power to want to continuously learn new skills amongst all one’s roles and responsibilities to be able to help in Lajna Ima’illah departments. It is the absolute belief in The Promised Messiah and Mahdi and the pledge at the hands of the worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper) that women serve, it is with his support and guidance we continue to flourish. It is this commitment that allows us all to serve.

Personally, to be able to serve Ahmadiyyat as part of Lajna Ima’illah is one of my greatest honours. Serving Lajna Ima’illah is to consistently pray to improve oneself and to consistently remind oneself that what you are doing is for the propagation of Islam Ahmadiyyat, it is to constantly renew our intentions and acknowledge that the work we do and how we serve in our various departments is much bigger than us.  It is acknowledging what a privilege it is, to be mentored and learn from so many women who are experts in what they do and are so willing to advice and teach all out of the goodness of their own hearts.

I believe and often say that women working together and having safe and secure platforms to truly express themselves is a mighty force, and Lajna Ima’illah is an example of such a force. To quote His Holiness Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (may Allah be pleased with him), founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association at the launch of the auxiliary organisation in 1922: ‘‘Aside from gaining personal and spiritual knowledge, henceforth the successful progress of the Community is also dependent on efforts by women.” Therefore, the question we should ask ourselves is ‘how can I help?’ because all skills and expertise are embraced within the various departments of Lajna Ima’illah and all one needs is the willingness to learn and want to be embraced by the love that comes with it.