11:30- All the members taking part in the Tabligh trip to Guatemala gathered in Islamabad, Tilford. Upon the request of Sadr MKA UK, beloved Huzoor (aba) graciously granted permission for a Mulaqat. We were anxiously waiting in Islamabad to see our beloved Imam and capture the most precious moment of our Tabligh Waqf e Arzi Trip. The mixed feeling of excitement and nervousness was evident on everyone’s faces.

Sadr Sahib was told that Huzoor (aba) will be going up to the MTA studios for a virtual Mulaqat and that we should line up outside the Private Secretary Office for a mulaqat with Huzoor (aba). In anticipation of this moment, all Khuddam lined up at the bottom of the office stairs to catch a glimpse of our Imam.

Around 11:30am, beloved Huzoor (aba) walked down the stairs from the Private Secretary Office. Seeing Huzoor (aba) come towards us, surrounded by Allah’s Noor, all of us were stunned to say something. Once Huzoor (aba) was close to us, we managed to say ‘Assalamo Alaikum Huzoor’.

Beloved Huzoor (aba) asked, “Who’s going to Guatemala? How many are you?”, whilst looking around and then stopping at Attaur Rahim Ahsan Sahib, who is currently serving as Muavin Sadr in MKA National Amila. Ahsan Sahib answered saying that it is 10 of us but due to wearing a mask Huzoor (aba) did not hear him. So, Hibat ul Mohsin Abid Sahib, who is currently serving as Mohtamim Tabligh in MKA National Amila and is also Ameer-e-Qafilah for this trip, answered: “We are 10 who will be going.”

Beloved Huzoor (aba) then asked, “What are you going there for? What is the plan?”

Mohsin Sahib replied that we are going for Tabligh and we have planned around 9-10 Tabligh activities with the Amir and Missionary In-charge Sahib of Guatemala, Amir Nafees Sahib.

Beloved Huzoor (aba) looked around again and stopped at Rabeeb Mirza Sahib (Murrabi Silsila) who is currently posted to MTA translation, and said, “You guys are also taking Maulvi Sahib with you? Are you taking him for Islah [reformation]?” Huzoor (aba) had a beautiful smile after saying that.

Beloved Huzoor (aba) then asked, “For how long are you going? Two weeks?” Mohsin Sahib answered that we are going only for a week and will depart from there next Saturday.

After that Huzoor (aba) asked, “Who knows Spanish?“ Mohsin Sahib replied, “Only Tahir Rehman Sahib”. Upon this Huzoor (aba) said, “Acha. That’s fine. Just be like the mutes and talk in sign language.” Huzoor smiled and said, “Allah Hafiz” twice before he made his way to the MTA studios.

We all were brimming with passion and were feeling ready to embark on this grand expedition.

Rabeeb Mirza Sahib (Murabbi Silsilah) led us in silent prayer before we made our way to Heathrow Airport on the minibus. MKA Amoomi sent Baseer Ahmad Sahib to drop the team at the airport and ensure a safe departure.

A picture with Sadr Sahib before Mulaqat with Huzoor Aqdas (aba)

13:00 – We went through check-in. Some people commented on the hoodie we were wearing saying that it was looking nice and asked where we were going.

13:50 – Congregational Zuhr & Asr prayers in the multi-faith prayer room at Heathrow Airport. Rabeeb Mirza Sahib (Murabbi Silsila) led the prayers.

15:00 – An American man started speaking with Tahir Rehman Sahib and Fatten Anjum Sahib (Murabbi Silsila) pointing at the Ahmadiyya logo and the phrase is written in Spanish, ‘Musulmanes Por La Paz’, on the hoodies we were wearing saying that it says ‘Muslims for Peace’. He then asked if we have a mosque/centre in Los Angeles as he sees this logo and the phrase ‘Muslims for Peace’ every day on the way to work as it is near a traffic light.

Group picture during a layover at Los Angeles Airport.

Tahir Sahib told the man about our mosque in Los Angeles where his relatives live and the man could go visit anytime and get more information about our Jama’at.

15:20 We departed from London on a United Airlines flight to Los Angles from where we will take a connecting flight to Guatemala City.

18:30(GMT-8) – Arrived at Los Angeles Airport. Fatten Anjum Sahib (Murabbi Silsila), Fahim Nasir Sahib, and Sami ullah Sikandar Sahib were taken separately into interrogation rooms where they were asked about where they are going and why they are going.

Fatten Anjum Sahib told the interrogators that we are going for a Tabligh trip to Guatemala where we have some inter-faith programmes planned and also are meeting the British Ambassodor and spreading the peaceful message of Islam which is portrayed wrongly on social media.

Fatten Sahib also introduced the Jama’at to the interrogator and also told him about beloved Huzoor (aba) visiting the US. At the end, before Fatten Sahib was allowed to leave the interrogator asked him what Huzoor’s (aba) name is out curiosity as he wanted to further research on the Jama’at.

22:20(GMT-8) – The team boarded flight from Los Angeles to Guatemala City.

Monday, 9 May 2022

4.30am
Offered Fajr Namaz in congregation.

6.45am
We got ready to do some essential shopping for food preparation in the camp and for the accommodation before driving to The Camp at 8am.

8,00am
Cleaned and set up our campsite. Three of the team, Akbar Butt Sahib, Mohammad Malas Sahib and Jamil Bhatti Sahib, were in the kitchen preparing breakfast and lunch, and cleaning the kitchen area.

Mohammad Malas Sahib (Left) and Jamil Bhatti Sahib (Right) working in the kitchen.

Fatten Anjum Sahib overlooked the food stall serving hot beverages and breakfast. For breakfast, 50 doughnuts and 40 sandwiches were served.

Qammar Sethi Sahib and Shahmeer Baloch Sahib offered assistance for the American Waqf-e-Arzi team with clearing out some equipment and medicine which needed to be sent to Ukraine.

We have noticed that whenever we are serving something to someone or are interacting, we are observed by the people around us very closely. Everyone has a close eye on us.

A few of us also had a chance to speak to people around us; a Khadim was wearing a ‘Jinnah’ cap whilst serving, so a volunteer worker from a camp in Ukraine approached him and asked him regarding the ‘Jinnah’ cap if it’s connected to Islam. The Khadim answered that in Islam we must cover our heads for prayers and the ‘Jinnah’ cap is just formal cap worn in Pakistan. The volunteer really liked the cap.

One Khadim was serving coffee to someone. The person was very happy about the Khadim’s work so he started sharing stories and showing pictures of his volunteer work in this crisis.

Another Khadim was approached by a lady who is also a volunteer from an Israeli camp. She was asking where we guys are from. The Khadim told her that the camp is originally from the Humanity First team from Germany and six of us have come from the UK as volunteers to help. She also asked from what community we are from and was very keen to learn about Ahmadiyyat which she never heard about before. She also said that she will search for Ahmadis in Kababir and wants to learn more about the blessed movement.

3.30pm
Lunch was served to everyone; approximately 50 plates of warm food (Rice and Chickpeas Salan) were served.

Two Ukrainian families, which included some medical patients, were helped in crossing the border to Poland.

Mohtamim Khidmat-e-Khalq Akbar Butt Sahib placed all the medicine in the medical tent in their respective order and also checked to see if they are still useable.

The Israeli medical camp also brought a patient to our medical tent for treatment. This shows how the blessings of Allah have been showering on us this whole time.

6.30pm
A lady came to drink ‘Chai’ (tea) who is working for a different medical team further ahead within the camp. She asked us regarding Humanity First. Two Khuddam introduced Humanity First to her, so she expressed her desire to help the Humanity First medical team instead. This shows how the blessings of Allah come in such mysterious ways. Who knew that Chai would attract that many people towards the Humanity First camp and learn more about Humanity First and our beautiful teachings of Islam?

Throughout the day, a lot of refugees were helped by us carrying their heavy bags to either the border or from the border to the refugee bus station.

At the end of the day, we served 600 cups of coffee and 350 cups of Chai.

We also helped with the construction of a mosque on the campsite.

9.30pm

After Maghrib & Isha Namaz, we had a talk with Athar Zubair Sahib about the guidance he has received from beloved Huzoor (aba) throughout his time serving for the Jama’at. One piece of advice he gave us was that we should keep our hearts clean and keep doing ‘Taubah’ (repentance for our sins) and ‘Istighfar’ (seeking forgiveness).

Sunday, 8th May 2022

By the Grace of Allah, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK has been given the blessed opportunity to provide assistance with humanitarian work in the camp set up by Humanity First Germany in Medyka – located on the Poland/Ukraine border.

6.00am
The journey started from Luton, with everyone gathered at Mohtamim Khidmat-e-Khalq Akbar Butt Sahib’s parents’ house. It started journey with Dua (silent prayer), before two Khuddam from Luton Jama’at dropped us off at the Luton Airport.

12.00pm
Arrived at Kraków Airport where we collected our luggage. After collecting car keys for the hired cars, we drove to the Humanity First camp site.

Near the border we saw for approx. 10 kilometres thousands of cars, vans and trucks in a queue to cross the borders back to Ukraine, due to the ongoing crisis occurring in the nation.

5.00pm
We met up with Muhammad Athar Zubair Sahib who is the in-charge of the Humanity First Camp. He briefed us on what to expect, what the situation is and what our work will be like for this week.

He also shared a few incidents how Allah the Almighty has been blessing this scheme since the beginning. How all difficult situations have turned into blessings after praying to Allah and requesting beloved Huzoor (aba) for prayers.

6.00pm 
Jamil Bhatti Sahib, who is serving as Regional Qaid for Baitul Ehsan Region, was given the duty of cooking the food provision. He was briefed on this by the individual previously in-charge.

We were then given a tour of the site and where all our belongings are stored if needed.

8.00pm
Our team familiarised themselves with the people around us and began to start working at different stations in the camp which consisted of handing out hot beverages, hot food and helping people carry their luggage to the border.

10.00pm
Offered Namaz (Islamic prayer) in congregation before coming to the accommodation to rest. After setting up our sleeping places, we had a short briefing about what we had done today and what improvements should be made for tomorrow.