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"With spring comes the renewing crossroads of Passover, Holi, Easter and Ramadan. We’re truly blessed to be able to observe these freely in America. This year we may even be able to celebrate them in our respective houses of worship again, God willing, as we strive harder together in our jihad against coronavirus. As Ahmadi Muslims, my family and I will join millions worldwide in also commemorating the reneissance of Islam through the genesis of our Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on March 23. It’s called “Promised Messiah Day” in recognition of our holy founder Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, whose name means child or servant of Ahmad, another name of Prophet Muhammad, Qur’an 61:7. Hazrat Ahmad came, as sacred Scriptures and Prophets foretold, from the east waging a metaphysical battle against unrighteousness with enlightenment “in the spirit and power” of his brother Messenger Jesus son of Mary, Messiah sent to the children of Israel, Word of Allah bestowed upon Mary, strengthened with the Holy Spirit, but this time he came for you, me and all people. His advent complements the Divine precedent of how Prophet Elijah came again in the person of John the Baptist, Matt. 11:4, as predicted in Malachi 4:5. It was on Saturday, March 23, 1889, that Messiah Ahmad constructed the spiritual Ark of our Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Ludhiana, India, under Divine directive. He took Bai’at, the oath of allegiance, from 40 devoted followers, some of whom were our great-grandparents, to strive to reform their moral, social and spiritual character helping to revive Islam’s revolution from within. To this day, members of the community live by the same 10 conditions of Bai’at, Initiation, that those early Disciples imbibed over a century ago. This is how we celebrate Promised Messiah Day along with prayers, self reflection, gratitude, and greater services as reminded by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, fifth Caliph of Messiah Ahmad. Messiah Ahmad taught from Divine Revelations and historical manuscripts how Jesus Christ survived crucifixion, migrated to India in search of the lost tribes of Israel, and naturally died at an old age in Srinagar, Kashmir, in his renowned treatise “Jesus in India.” The tomb of Jesus can still be found in the Roza Bal of Khanyar Rd. Hazrat Ahmad came as the latter day prophet and leader to unite mankind in kinship under One God, end religious wars, condemn bloodshed, and restore morality, absolute justice and true peace. Following his healing example can cure many of society’s existing ills. He divested Muslims of extremist beliefs and practices by championing Islam’s true teachings. He declared that a bloodless, intellectual “jihad of the pen” would replace a “jihad by the sword” which is sanctioned only in protection of “cloisters, churches, synagogues, and mosques” defending religious freedom for all in a lawless land after migration, Qur’an 22:41. He penned more than 80 books and tens of thousands of letters, delivered hundreds of lectures and engaged in scores of public debates. He fed thousands of visitors spanning diverse faiths, even if diametrically opposed, home cooked meals in his public kitchen for all called “Langar Khana.” He founded bridge building charities for humanity’s relief that rectified economic disparities. He recognized the great religious founders and saints, including Zoroaster, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Krishna, Buddha, Confucius, Lao Tzu, and Guru Nanak, and explained how their original teachings culminated in Prophet Muhammad’s Islam. He also warned the world of cataclysmic disasters, including three world wars, should humanity reject God and His Messengers, and continue to abound in iniquity, injustice, dishonesty and transgression. An awakening admonition that stands as relevant today as it did back then. Despite facing bitter faith-based persecution in numerous Muslim majority nations, our Ahmadiyya Muslim community continues to grow and thrive under the leadership of our spiritual Caliphate, while advocating for universal human rights for all religious and other persecuted minorities. In accordance with the prophecy of Prophet Muhammad, our Caliphate “on the precepts of prophethood” cares for the Community and continues to spread “love for all, hatred for none.” As Americans, my family and I are thankful and grateful that we can celebrate our respective observances alongside fellow faithful believers whether it’s virtually on Zoom or in person at last in the sanctuary of our Baitul Aman “House of Peace” Mosque in Meriden. Whatever you may be commemorating, remember to keep our shared God and absolute justice in sight, keep it blessed and unifying, and be as festive as you can be! Happy Promised Messiah Day! Zahir Mannan serves voluntarily as the outreach secretary for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in CT, Chaplain for CT State Police and Meriden PD, and Northeast Regional Outreach Secretary for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, USA."
<https://www.nhregister.com/opinion/article/Opinion-Promised-Messiah-Day-The-Awaited-One-16012272.php>