Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

...... The HOPE Bulletin ………..

Health, Ongoing Projects, Education

(Vol. 5:10 &11) April-May 2011 AAIIL Worldwide Edition Editor: Akbar Abdullah CALIFORNIA JAMA‘AT PROJECT: APPROVED BY THE CENTRAL ANJUMAN, LAHORE

INTRODUCTION

Editor’s Note: Akbar Abdullah With the anti- sentiments developing in Indonesia and other parts of the world, Hazrat Ameer, Dr. Abdul Karim Saeed Pasha Sahib, set a uniform guideline commensurate with the principles and beliefs of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement. He sternly instructs the Jama‘at to not to deviate from this spiritually inspired truth.

In a letter addressed to the Editor of The HOPE Bulletin, Hazrat Ameer Sahib wrote:

I also want to bring to record that no member of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Anjuman believes in anything other than the following:

We believe that Hazrat Saheb is Mujaddid according to his claim; his claim being upheld, which is in the light of the ‘ e Mujadid’

He is not a Prophet of Allah which he has denied all his life and he had firm belief in the finality of of Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

He was Maseeh Mahood and Mehdi Mahood in the light of what the Prophet Muhammad, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, had foretold and was the ‘imamokum min kum.’

We further and importantly believe that no one can be declared a non-Muslim (outside the pale of Islam) if (s)he does not believe in Hazrat Mirza Ghullam Ahmad Saheb.

www.aaiil.org

Any other view than the ones I have stated are not the beliefs of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishat e Islam Lahore, whose very establishment in 1914 was necessitated by faith contrary to what I have stated…”

JAMA‘AT NEWS

Health of Hazrat Ameer, Dr. Abdul Karim Saeed Pasha Sahib Parveen and I spoke to Hazrat Ameer a few days ago. He sounded very cheerful and talked about his present health condition. He is free from any pain from the gall bladder ailment; however, he is weighing on a decision whether to have it totally removed surgically. One more test is to be carried out this week which will decide whether or not our beloved Hazrat Ameer will opt for the elective surgery.

Members of our global “Prayer Circle” are urged to raise their hands in fervent prayers seeking Allah’s mercy on our beloved Hazrat Ameer and to grant him complete shifa with a speedy recovery. Aameen .

Annual Training ( Tarbiyyathi ) Course in Lahore Amir Aziz, General Secretary of the Central Anjuman, Lahore, informed us that this year the Annual Training Course ( Tarbiyyati ) is being organized by the Central Anjuman to be held in our Lahore Center from 3 rd July to the 17 th July.

All international members desiring to attend the Course are requested to make their visa and travel arrangements in time and intimate their decision to the General Secretary at [email protected]

It is hoped that by participating in this Course you will benefit immensely from this opportunity.

Webcast by AAIIL-Trinidad and Tobago We commend the Institute of Imaamat (Leadership) Training of the AAIIL-Trinidad and Tobago on its recent webcasts. I was pleased to join in one session and listen to our learned Maulana Kemal Hydal talk on the topic “Angels and Jinn.”

For those of you who missed the webcasts, you can view a sample of the recorded sessions by clicking on the topics listed below.

Each session consists of a discourse given by Maulana Hydal on a particular topic, followed by questions by participants, which are answered by Maulana Hydal. In order to join in the (live) discussion, you first have the sign in as a Guest to enter the chat room.

Sis. Roshni Mohammed of AAIIL-TT writes: “ Please email us at [email protected] to comment on the course and request a recorded version. You may also send us emails of persons whom you know will benefit from this.”

2

Prior to the webcast, a link to it is emailed by Sis. Roshni that enables participants to join in.

We hope many of our readers will join these educational meetings and encourage others also to do so as well.

Report on the investigation in Indonesia Br Shaukat A. Ali, Coordinator, Asia-Pacific Region, kept regular contact with Br Iwan Yusuf to ascertain the disturbing situation in Indonesia on the events of unrest befalling on the Ahmadis in certain parts of Indonesia. He has obtained a very encouraging report in favour of our Lahori branch of the Ahmadiyya Movement, which we have reproduced in the “What Our Readers Say” section to respond to the concerns of Br Jalal Ud Dean and others for the safety and well-being of our Jama‘at in Indonesia.

Convening of “Great Du‘a” at Oakland Mosque in California On 23 April, the members of the Oakland Mosque gathered to render “Great Du‘a” in remembrance of the loved ones who had passed away and returned to our Maker.

After the Asr prayer, the “Great Du‘a” function started with Br Zafar Abdullah, President of AAIIL, California, who read a soul searching poem. He was followed by a speech by Ahmad Nawaz Sahib, who spoke eloquently on the need for human respect of nature as laid down in the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith . Being “Earth Day,” his speech was appropriate to the occasion. Jazak Allah!

Maulvi Mohammad Mustapha, President and Chief Imam of the Oakland Mosque, led the “Great Du‘a” and the Maghrib prayer that followed.

A sumptuous dinner was served to the guests before they departed.

On this year’s “Great Du‘a,” a larger number of ladies participated compared to the men in attendance.

General Secretary’s tour of the Caribbean and Jama‘ats in Europe Those readers who were unable to download our attachment on the January to March 2011 tour of Amir Aziz, General Secretary of AAIIL, to Holland, Germany, Suriname, Guyana and Trinidad can now do so by clicking on the following link: http://aaiil.org/text/articles/hope/2011/hopebulletin2011.shtml

“Allah will exalt those of you who believe and those who are given knowledge to high degrees” (58: 11).

“And say, O my Lord! increase me in knowledge” (20 : 114).

“And whoever is given knowledge is given indeed abundant wealth” (2 : 269).

3

PRAYER & HEALTH NEWS

Acknowledgement from Hazrat Ameer Sahib Dear Akbar, Assalamu Alaikum.

Thanks for the request you have placed for Ikram. I have come to visit him in the hospital. He is in good cheers and awaiting his surgery tomorrow. Please continue to pray for a successful operation followed by a long healthy life ahead of him. Aameen .

Pasha

Du‘a-e-shifa from Shaukat A. Ali, Coordinator, Asia-Pacific Region Dear Saeed Bhai Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahe wa Barakatuhu.

We were sorry to learn that Major Ikram Saeed has not been well and are praying fervently for the complete success of the surgery as well as speedy and complete recovery which leaves no ailment behind - aameen .

We are also praying that Allah ta’ala grant solace to all his loved ones at this time of anxiety.

---

Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahe wa Barakatuhu.

We are praying fervently that Merciful Allah guides the surgeon and his team to complete the procedure successfully and without any complication. We are also praying for the complete success of the outcome as well as speedy and complete recovery which leaves no ailment behind - aameen .

Allah hafiz. Shaukat

Du‘a-e-shifa from Jalal Ud Dean, Fiji Dear Br JAK Assalaamu'Alaikum Wr Wb

Thanks for the update on the complex surgical procedure to follow.

At Jummah today, we held special Dua for Major Ikram. Insha-Allah Major Ikram will have successful outcome on his surgery.

Pleasant Regards

J. U. Dean 4

Condolences The following messages of sympathy and condolence were sent after the sad and untimely demise of Brs Jenab Abdul Hamid Ganai (Jammu Jama‘at ), Mohammad Abass Saboerali (Suriname Jama‘at ), and Ch. Mohammad Hayat of Pakistan.

Riaz Ahmed Choudhary, President, AAIIL, Jammu, India on the late Br Saboerali We the members of AAIIL Jammu too share the grief and sorrow at the sad demise of our Brother Mohd. Abass Saberali. May Almighty Allah give enough courage to the family members for bearing this irreparable loss and place the departed sole in Jawahar-e-Rahmat. Amin .

I would like to inform with grief and sorrow that one of our senior member of AAIIL Bhaderwah (J&K) India and our maternal uncle Jenab Abdul HAMID Ganai passed away on 6th April 2011 after brief illness. The Namaz Janaza was performed by Brother Abdul Shakoor Ganai and burial took place in their ancestral Grave Yard.

Though there was apprehension of some trouble from the majority Muslim Brothers but by the grace of Almighty Allah everything passed peacefully. Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Ilehi Rajeoon.

In fact, the untimely demise of Jenab Abdul Hamid Ganai, who remained closely associated with Jamaat activities even during his Govt Service is a great loss. He had a very good knowledge of Islam and Ahmediyia movement and in spite of hostile attitude of the Majority Muslim community towards members of AAIIL in this part of world he used to engage people for discussion and interactions in order to remove misconception about Ahmedyiat and Islam. He was very much interested to render his services for AAIIL Delhi and other parts of India after his retirement from govt services but unfortunately things could not materialise. “Surely We are for Allah and to Him we return.”

We would like to request our members of the jamaat throughout the Globe to pray for the departed soul. May Allah bless his soul in the heaven of eternity and enter him in paradise. We also pray for the bereaved family that may Allah descend solace on their hearts to bear this great loss with patience and perseverance.

Yours truly, Riaz Ahmed Choudhary President AAIIL Jammu

Shahid Aziz, General Secretary, AAIIL, United Kingdom on the late Br Saboerali Dear Abkar bhai Assalamu alaikum.

Please pass on my condolences to the late brother Saboerali’s family. I met him a few times when I was in Surinam and found him to be a very sincere and dedicated Muslim. May Allah grant him a place close to Himself in heaven and give solace to his family.

Kind regards Shahid

5

Ahamed Hosein, President, OAAIL, Toronto, Canada on the late Ch. Muhammad Hayat Assalaam O Alaikum Brothers and Sisters of the world Jamaat

I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of brother Chaudhary Muhammad Hayaat Sahib.

To the family and close members I graciously extend our deepest sympathy on behalf of the Ontario Ahmadiya Anjuman Ishiati Islam (Lahore). “From Allah we come to him do we return.”

May the soul of brother Chaudhary Muhammad Hayaat Sahib rest in peace.

Wassalaam O Alaikum. Ahamed Hosein President OAAIL, Toronto Canada

Riaz Ahmed Choudhary, President, AAIIL, Jammu, India, on the late Ch. Muhammad Hayat Assalam-o-Alaikum wrwb.

We the members of AAIIL Jammu also condole with grief and sorrow the untimely death of Ch. Mohammad Hayat, a senior member of AAIIL, and pray to Almighty Allah to place the departed soul in Jannat-ul-Firdouse. Ameen.

Inna Lillahe Wa Inna Ilehi Rajeoon.

Allah Hafiz Riaz Ahmed Choudhary President, AAIIL Jammu

Du‘a-e-shifa All the members of our global “Prayer Circle” are requested to pray for the shifa and well being of Major Ikram Saeed of Pakistan, our beloved Hazrat Ameer , Dr. Abdul Karim Saeed Pasha Sahib, Captain Abdus Salam Khan, and Ch. Abdul Sattar of the U.S.A., and for Parveen’s brother in Fiji.

During the month of May we celebrate Mothers Day in the West. Please pray for the mothers of Dr. Khursid Tareen (India), Dr. Zahid Aziz and Shahid Aziz (United Kingdom), Jalal Ud Dean and Nazimud Dean (Fiji), Muhammad Ali (Pakistan), and other mothers in our Jama‘at who are ailing.

MOTHERS DAY REMEMBERED

[Submitted by Br Jalal Ud Dean, Fiji]

Br Jalal Ud Dean, Chairperson of Interfaith Search Fiji Council, circulated the article below, which was much appreciated by Fiji the society of mixed-ethnicity individuals. 6

Mothers Day In Fiji, we shall recognise and celebrate Mothers’ Day next Sunday 8th May 2011.

It is important that we attach some scripture linkages to our mothers since that is where we have all come from and into this world. Accordingly I’ve taken some extracts from our three mainstream scriptures of Christianity, Hinduism and Islam to garnish this article.

A mother in the family is the most important person in that family. She becomes the children’s first teacher to guide them to do good things and move them away from bad things. The mother really makes up the family and the family constitutes the basic unit of society. It can be generalised that successes in the world are to some extent responsibilities of mothers, as mothers mentor their children for their children’s betterment.

The very first years of every individual’s life, that is, its childhood is spent in the family. Children all over the world get the earliest and the most fundamental lessons in socialization and civilization in the family from mother.

Mothers have an ideal leading position in the family and the success of every family has been the mother. The life cycle of a mother starts when she is a baby and depends on her own mother for full support. Then the baby grows up and later becomes a mother and has her own children. When the children are grown up and have their own family, their mother becomes old and becomes dependent on her children and grandchildren as her source of support.

The happiest mother is one whose grown-up children look after her. We see nowadays, it is just so, especially with those of us who follow classical family traditions. We must move away from modern Mothers’ Day practice of thinking and visiting our mothers only one day in the year, when it is Mothers’ Day.

The Bible (Christian) “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour your father and your mother which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:1-4)

“But if any widow has children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God.” (1Timothy 5:4)

Manava Dharma Shastra (Hindu) “The trouble that a mother and father endure in giving birth to human beings cannot be redeemed even in a hundred years. He should constantly do what pleases the two of them.” (2:226)

The Qur’an (Muslim) “And thy Lord has decreed that you serve none but Him, and do well to parents. If either or both of them reach old age with thee, say not fie to them, nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word. And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy, and say: My Lord, have mercy on them, as they brought me up (when I was) little.” (17:23, 24, 26)

7

“And We have enjoined on man concerning his parents — his mother bears him with faintings upon faintings and his weaning takes two years — saying: Give thanks to Me and to thy parents. To Me is the eventual coming.” (31:14)

Obedience to mothers is placed next to submission to God, for among fellow human beings; none has a greater claim upon a person than his/her mother.

You should all be very proud of your mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

To all our mothers and mothers-to-be, we say to you all “Happy Mothers’ Day.” For those who do not have a mother, please remember them in your prayers.

I’ve enclosed a photo-clip of my mother.

FEATURE REPORT [Contributor: Shahid Aziz]

Did God punish Japan?

“And whatever misfortune befalls you, it is on account of what your hands have wrought and He pardons much.” (The Holy 42:30)

In the wake of the disaster in Japan people are asking why did Allah allow such things to happen. The answer is that He does not. He has created laws according to which the world runs and He does not interfere in the operation of those laws.

He gave human beings intelligence to decide the consequences of their actions. So it is not Allah who is responsible for these things but humans beings themselves. We now know that the automatic gates which were supposed to close to stop the water from coming were faulty. It was known that these gates are faulty but nothing was done to repair them. When the tsunami struck firemen tried to close the gates manually and 5 of them were washed away to sea. Was it Allah’s fault that the gates did not close or human negligence? 8

Similarly, Allah did not put nuclear reactors on a fault line, humans did. Unless we take responsibility for our own action we will not be able to avoid future disasters. As Allah asks in the Holy Quran that when something good happens humans do not attribute it to Allah but when something bad happens they always blame Allah, why is that?

Our readers may listen to the entire khutba by opening the following link: http://www.virtualmosque.co.uk/did-god-punish-japan/

SPIRITUAL EDUCATION

[A new feature in our HOPE Bulletin . – Ed .]

Difficulty in the path of Allah Until man has not faced and triumphed over innumerable difficulties and trials in the path of the Almighty, he will never be able to obtain the desired success. This is why the Holy Qur’an asks: “Do men think that they will be left alone on saying, We believe, and would not be tried?” (29:2).

Those who think that mere belief alone without trials is sufficient should remember that in another place of the Holy Qur’an they are designated as non-believers: “And there are some people who say: We believe in Allah and the Last Day, and they are not believers” (2:8).

The same point is emphasised in another verse of the Holy Qur’an which runs as follows: “The dwellers of the desert say: We believe. Say: You believe not, but say, We submit; and faith has not yet entered into your hearts. And if you obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not diminish aught of your deeds. Surely Allah is Forgiving, Merciful” (49:14).

Many people are like these, but to become a true, firm and sincere believer it is necessary to undertake strenuous religious discipline as well as to pass through severe hardships and calamities and emerge with one’s faith intact and even stronger. [ Malfuzaat ]

Shaukat A. Ali’s impressions on the “Great Du‘a ” session Dear Brother Mohammed Mustapha Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahe wa Barakatuhu

I pray that you and your loved ones are in best of health and high spirits by the grace of Compassionate and Merciful Allah.

We are pleased to note that you are again arranging the “Annual Grand Dua ” for the departed souls. It is indeed gratifying to note that you and your Jamaat publicly remember and recognize the services rendered by our loved ones and the members of the Jamaat who have preceded us to the Hereafter. 9

Whilst I do not want to add any particular name to the list of departed souls, I suggest we pray for all our parents, spouses, siblings, children, relatives and members of the Jamaat who have left this world to meet with our Maker.

“Our Lord, make them enter the Gardens of perpetuity, which You have promised them and such of their fathers and their spouses and their offspring as are good.” (40:8)

Allah ta’ala has told us concerning the development of life on this planet and that He has appointed a term for all of us. Some of us will leave before the others but all of us have to ultimately leave this world. We read in the Holy Quran:

“He it is Who created you from dust, then from a small life-germ, then from a clot, then He brings you forth as a child, then that you may attain your maturity, then that you may be old; and of you are some who die before and that you may reach an appointed term, and that you may understand. He it is Who gives life and causes death. ” (40:67-68).

Almighty Allah reminds us repeatedly to attain Taqwa and to do good and that our actions, deeds and words are being recorded. We are told to be patient and that we will be tried to test us and that we do not know where we will die. For instance:

Every soul must taste of death. And We test you by evil and good by way of trial. And to Us you are returned. (21:35) .

Who created death and life that He might try you (as to) which of you is best in deeds. (67:2).

Every soul will taste of death. And you will be paid your reward fully only on the day of Resurrection. Then whoever is removed far from the Fire and is made to enter the Garden, he indeed attains the object. And the life of this world is nothing but a provision of vanities. (3:185).

O you who believe, seek assistance through patience and prayer; surely Allah is with the patient. (2:153).

Surely Allah is He with Whom is the knowledge of the Hour, ...... And no one knows in what land he will die . (31:34).

To conclude this message, let us pray:

Our Lord, forgive us and our brethren who preceded in faith, and leave no spite in our hearts towards those who believe. Our Lord, surely You are Kind, Merciful. (59:10)

Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire. (2:201) Aameen.

May the blessings of Allah be upon you, your loved ones and all the members of the Jamaat .

Please convey our Salaams to all the members and their loved ones.

Wassalam, Shaukat

10

POEM [Courtesy A Spiritual Note ]

I knelt to pray...

I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do. I had to hurry and get to work For bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer, And jumped up off my knees. My religious duty was now done My soul could rest at ease.

All day long I had no time To spread a word of cheer. No time to speak of Allah to friends, They'd laugh at me I'd fear.

No time, no time, too much to do, That was my constant cry, No time to give to souls in need But at last the time, the time to die.

I went before the Lord, I came, I stood with downcast eyes. For in His hands God held a book; It was the book of life.

God looked into His book and said “Your name I cannot find. I once was going to write it down... But never found the time!”

PUBLICATION

Web link to The HOPE Bulletin on Central Anjuman’s official website The aaiil.org Webmaster will place online, at http://aaiil.org/text/articles/hope/hopebulletin.shtml, some selected issues of The HOPE Bulletin and some articles and special photographic supplements which do not carry any sensitive or confidential matters of our worldwide Jama‘at .

11

The Light – UK Edition To access current and previous issues, kindly click on the following weblink: http://www.ahmadiyya.org/

We strongly recommend that you access the blog interaction on the weblog located on this website.

We further note the addition of the latest book publications on this website shown as under:

• The Religion of Islam by Maulana Muhammad Ali 1936/1950 edition placed online — 14 April 2011 • Correction of an Error – Translation of Ayk Ghalati Ka Izala by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad — 2 April 2011 • Revised 2010 Edition of the English translation of the Holy Quran — 11 March 2011

WHAT OUR READERS SAY

Jalal Ud Dean, Suva, Fiji Islands

Assalaamu'Alaikum Wr Wb.

Thanks for the Salana Jalsa supplement of 2010.

I was watching the BBC news on TV last night.

Indonesia had some serious ethnic minority victimisation riots carried out by majority Sunni groups.

Minority groups affected were Christians, their churches and the Ahamdi group.

Churches were stormed and burnt and some members of the church were seriously assaulted.

The news showed extreme violence against Muslim homes and mosques which belonged to Ahamadis.

The BBC anchorman was obviously a non-Muslim and he did not differentiate which Ahmadi (Lahore or Qadiani).

However, recollecting from your previous news circulatories, Ahamdiyya Anjuman holds majority of all Muslim minorities in Indonesia and hence rather highly probable that our Ahamdi brothers and sisters fell victim to those hooligans.

Hooligans, as seen on the TV, included people from wide sector of the Indonesian community, including girls and women hurling large stones at Ahmadis and beating Ahmadis with baton-like sticks. The TV shoot showed many getting hurt and bleeding. 12

There were loud utterances in some language I do not understand (maybe Indonesian or Javanese) and clearly orchestrated assault against Ahamdi men, women and young boys and girls.

Perhaps our other members in Indonesia are aware and may be able to update the rest of us.”

[This letter was published in our March edition of The HOPE Bulletin , which we reprint so we can respond to it by publishing Br. Shaukat A. Ali’s letter as under. – Ed .]

Report on the investigation in Indonesia submitted by Shaukat A. Ali, Thailand …I am pleased to report that the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Indonesian Government has issued a booklet which shows the differences in beliefs of the two Ahmadiyya Jamaats in Indonesia. They have officially recognized that there is nothing in the beliefs of the Lahore Section of the Ahmadiyya Movement which is against the beliefs of other Muslims. However they have stated that beliefs of the Ahmadiyah (Qadiani) Jamaat are not in accordance with the beliefs of the other Muslims.

Some members may have seen recent media reports that some Ahmadiyah (Qadiani) mosques have been sealed or taken over by the majority Sunni groups. It is true that some provinces have already banned the Qadiani Jamaat from operating in their provinces because of the pressure from these radical groups.

Alhamdulillah , so far our members and properties, including our Mosques, schools and other properties, are safe. Whenever there was any talk of attacks or demonstration against our Jamaat the authorities have stepped in on our behalf to explain that we are different from the Qadianis.

In view of the above, please continue to pray that there is no restriction on our activities in Indonesia in the future….

Reaction from members on the Government investigation of our Indonesian Jama‘at Shahid Aziz, General Secretary, AAIIL, United Kingdom Dear Akbar AA.

I was restless all day and could not get down to work because of the meeting in Indonesia. When I read your email I cried with joy. May Allah bless the members in Indonesia for their sterling efforts and grant them complete success.

Kind regards Shahid

Begum Fauqia Aziz, United Kingdom We are Allah's Jamaat and He will protect the Right amongst us. May He guide and help those, who can with their words and Allah’s blessings, will convince the doubters. Our prayers are with them and with those who bring us the news.

With Dua Sister Fauqia Aziz (UK) 13

Dr. Khaliel Ghafoerkhan, Paramaribo, Suriname Dear Akbar, Assalamu Alaikum.

I am following the case and very happy to read the positive news for our Jamaat in Jakarta. Al hamdolillah!!

Allah hafiz . K.Ghafoerkhan.

Br. Ebrahim Mohamed, President, AAIIL, South Africa As Salamu Alaikum,

We thank almighty Allah for His help. He helped us in South Africa in the 80s and we should not despair of His help in other parts of the world, especially in Indonesia. We will continue praying that the shackles of religious persecution and oppression be removed from all our Jamaats and that we may proceed with our work in peace.

Was Salaam Br Ebrahim, SA

Br. Mohammad Haroun comments on the tour of Amir Aziz DEAR BRO. AKBAR, A/A.

THIS REPORT IS A VERY GOOD INDICATION HOW OUR JAMAATS AROUND THE WORLD IS PROGRESSING. IT IS VERY HEARTENING TO KNOW THE PROGRESS BEING MADE IN BERLIN, WITH THE MOSQUE AND OTHER ISSUES SURROUNDING THE MOSQUE.

AS A GUYANESE I AM GLAD THAT SOME SORT OF SUPPORT WILL BE GIVEN TO THE GUYANA JAMAAT TO HELP BOOST THE MEMBERSHIP AND THE PROPAGATION EFFORT. AN EXCELLENT REPORT AND EVERY AHMADI SHOULD BE PROUD OF THE STATUS OF OUR JAMAATS AROUND THE WORLD.

ALLAH HAFIZ BRO. HAROUN

“And with none but Allah is the direction of my affair to a right issue. In Him I trust and to Him I turn” (11:88).

14

HOPE MEMBER SERVICE

Recipe of the Month

Peanut butter cookies Ingredients • 1/2 cup shortening • 1/2 cup peanut butter • 1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar • 1/2 cup sugar • 1 large egg • 2 tablespoons milk • 1 teaspoon non-alcoholic vanilla extract (or 1/4 teaspoon vanilla powder) • 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour • 1 teaspoon baking soda • 1/2 teaspoon salt • Sugar • 48 Kisses chocolates

Method of Preparation • Heat oven to 375° F. • Cream together shortening, peanut butter, brown sugar and 1/2 cup sugar. • Add egg, milk and vanilla. Beat well. • Stir together flour, baking soda and salt. Add to creamed mixture. • Beat on low speed until stiff dough forms. • Shape into 1-inch balls. Roll in sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet. • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. • Top each cookie immediately with an unwrapped chocolate piece, pressing down firmly so that cookie cracks around edge. Remove from cookie sheets to cool.

Yield: 4 dozen cookies

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRESENTATION

A caravan of camels

The following is a picture of a caravan of camels in the desert. Look closely; the camels are actually the white specs. The black you see are just the shadows cast by the camels.

This photograph was judged one of the best of 2005.

15

CONTACT INFORMATION

Akbar Abdullah Editor, The HOPE Bulletin Mailing Address : P.O. Box 232811 Sacramento, California 95823-0430, U.S.A. E-mail Address : [email protected] Telephone Number : (773) 539-6892

16