Ata-ul-Haye Nasir, Al Hakam

75 years ago, on 20 September 1948, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud, Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad^ra formally inaugurated the town of Rabwah, which served as the new headquarters and residence of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. Huzoor^ra moved from his temporary residence in Lahore to this new Markaz in Rabwah on 19 September 1949. Since then, Rabwah was blessed with the presence of Khilafat until April 1984, when Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV^rh had to migrate from Pakistan to England, due to Ordinance XX issued by General Zia-ul-Haq.

Going back to the establishment of Rabwah, it is worth mentioning that while the Jamaat had successfully acquired this piece of land, the opponents of Ahmadiyyat intensified their jealousy towards the Jamaat. A sudden wave of false propaganda was initiated by the opponent press, which was duly refuted by the Jamaat officials. One can realise the intensity of this propaganda by the fact that even the Government had to issue a detailed statement on this issue.

The Civil and Military Gazette reported:

“Chiniot Land Sold to Ahmadiyyas

“Reasons Explained by Government

“A report has appeared in a section of the Press criticising the sale by the West Punjab Government of 1,034 acres of land near Chiniot, Jhang District, to the Ahmadiyya community at Rs. 10 an acre. The main allegation is that before partition [of British India] certain Muslim institutions were prepared to purchase the same land at Rs. 1,500 an acre. An objection has also been raised that, whereas the principle of District-wise rehabilitation has generally not been accepted, Ahmadiyyas have been afforded facilities of settling down in a concentrated colony, says a Press note.

“This report is misleading and belies the facts. The land in question is barren and has proved uncultivable in the past. Before it was sold to Ahmadiyyas the Government advertised in the Press and invited objections from members of the public but no objection was received for [a] full one month.

“As regards the price, it can be categorically stated that the Government had never received the alleged offer of Rs. 1,500 an acre from any individual or institution. As there was no precedent for [the] sale of land for residential purposes to private bodies in this area, the price was fixed at the rate charged for land sold to Government Departments.

“Ahmadiyyas intend to build a new town in this area for the settlement of the urban population uprooted from Qadian. They contemplate starting schools, colleges, religious institutions and industrial concerns in the proposed town. These plans do not in any way conflict with the reasons which impelled the Government to reject the demand for District-wise rehabilitation of refugees who have settled down in large areas of the province.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 29 August 1948, p. 6)

In response, it was alleged that this clarification was “an afterthought invented to cover up this glaring example of favouritism to a particular sect.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 9 September 1948, p. 2)

Inaugural address by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra

During his address at the formal inauguration of Rabwah on 20 September 1948, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra spoke in detail of the events during the partition of British India, the establishment of the new markaz, its future and responsibilities of its inhabitants. Huzoor^ra led the congregation in reciting the prayers of Hazrat Abraham^as and Hazrat Ishmael^as as mentioned in the Holy Quran, which they offered on re-building the walls of the Holy Ka‘bah in Mecca.

Huzoor^ra said:

“Currently, the world has forgotten the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa. In fact, in addition to the others, even the Muslims themselves have abandoned his teachings. Today, the most blasphemed-against person is Muhammad^sa, the Messenger of Allah. Whether it is an author, philosopher, or historian, everyone attempts to disrespect the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa. The most benevolent person of this world is nowadays the world’s most blasphemed-against person; the most honourable person of this world is considered to be the world’s most disrespected person.

“If we have any jealousy for Islam or any love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa in our hearts, it is our duty to once again establish the majesty of the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa, even at the cost of sacrificing our own lives, or the lives of our wives and children. In fact, even if thousands of our coming generations are sacrificed, it will be a source of great honour for us. We had initiated this task in Qadian; however, in accordance with the Divine foretellings and Allah’s glad tidings, we had to migrate from Qadian. Now, under the same foretellings and prophecies, we are establishing a new town on this uncultivable land, with the aim of raising the name of Allah the Almighty. […]

“Nowadays, the people’s hearts are [generally] vacant from the true love for the Holy Prophet^sa, and they are unaware of the true insights of the Holy Quran. […] They do have a desire to obey the Holy Quran, but their desire is to obey the incorrect interpretation that has been established in their hearts. Thus, Islam cannot become victorious in the world, until the victory of Ahmadiyyat. This point is so easy to understand that I wonder why the Muslims fail to comprehend, and why they do not contemplate that, despite their love for the Messenger^sa, they are facing humiliation in the world.”

Huzoor^ra further said that Ahmadi Muslims are in very small numbers compared to other Muslims, however, Ahmadis are serving Islam and preaching its peaceful message with far greater zeal:

“At this time, Ahmadi missionaries have spread in all corners of the world, and they are contesting with Christianity [through theological arguments], and this contest is not an ordinary one, but rather, various significant Christian powers have acknowledged that ‘their efforts are impactful’. Around 15 to 20 years ago, a very big conference of Christians was held in Lucknow, which was attended by some European Christian missionaries as well. In that, a question was raised as to what is the reason that no honourable and educated person now converts to Christianity in Northern India. All missionaries who were specialists in this matter, responded that since the claim of [Hazrat] Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Sahib^[as] of Qadian, the progress of Christianity has ceased, for he has confronted Christianity so emphatically that wherever his literature reaches, Christianity is unable to progress. Then, a very significant committee was formed concerning Africa, by the Church of England, whose annual income is far greater than even that of many of our provinces. They spend about 400 to 500 million rupees on the propagation of Christianity. The report that was prepared by that committee, states that the progress of Christianity in Africa has ceased just because of Ahmadiyyat. […]

“This is the acknowledgement from our opponents in regard to our preaching efforts. … Where did we get this strength from, and why did we have such a passion? The reason is that the Founder of the Ahmadiyya [Muslim] Community, the Promised Messiah^as, inflamed such zeal, and we desire to once again make Islam victorious over the world. Hence, as long as the [non-Ahmadi] Muslims are opposing Ahmadiyyat, it will continue to create hurdles in the way of Islam’s victory, and as soon as they join the fold of Ahmadiyyat, the sooner will be the victory of Islam in the world. The reality is that among the various movements that are currently working in this world, all of them have certain worldly objectives, however, there is only one [purely] religious movement among the Muslims, and that is Ahmadiyyat. […] In short, there is only one factor through which the Muslim world can unite once again and can ultimately become victorious over the whole world — that factor is Ahmadiyyat.” (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 11, pp. 433-436)

Advising Ahmadis to propagate the message of Ahmadiyyat to the Muslim world, Huzoor^ra said:

“You ought to advise the Muslims that their success and the progress of Islam and the whole world require them to accept Ahmadiyyat as soon as possible. What is the matter that halts them from inclining towards us? The whole of our history testifies that we have served the Muslims at every juncture, though we have always faced opposition from them in return. But still, we remained unharmed. […] The reality is that the world left no stone unturned in opposing us and still continuing to do so, however, it is an established fact that Ahmadiyyat will surely become victorious in the world. […] Allah the Almighty has associated the progress of Islam with Ahmadiyyat. The one who objects to Ahmadiyyat, in fact, objects to Islam. The one who desires to ruin Ahmadiyyat, in reality, wishes to ruin Islam. Moreover, while God has blessed us so immensely by associating the future progress of Islam with us, who are very weak and without any [worldly] means, it is our duty as well to sacrifice everything we possess in His way. […]

“We pray to Allah the Almighty that He may instil such great passion of Faith among those who inhabit here and inculcate in them immense love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa, that they disseminate in the world enthusiastically and do not return until the majesty of the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa is established in all corners of the world. No doubt, the world would say,  ‘They are mad’, but a day will surely come when — the earth and the heavens can cease to exist, this Divine promise cannot remain unfulfilled — God will establish the majesty of the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa through our hands. […] Just like the so-called wise people proved to be unwise in the past, in the same way, the so-called wise people of today will prove to be unwise, and Islam will stand victorious in the world.  Let us now raise our hands and pray to Allah the Almighty in our hearts as well that may He bless our intentions and enable us to fulfil this sacred duty with complete honesty.” (Ibid., pp. 436-442)

A visit to Rabwah by some journalists

On 7 November 1948, some prominent journalists from Lahore visited the newly established Rabwah. Reporting on this, The Civil and Military Gazette published a photograph of Rabwah (seen in the beginning), in which members of the Jamaat and some non-Ahmadi journalists can be seen with Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud, Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad^ra. The newspaper wrote under the heading “New Headquarters for Ahmadiyyas: Rabwah Allotment Site Near Chiniot”:

“A group of Lahore journalists had a pleasant outing when they were taken on Sunday to Rabwah—the proposed township site, where the Ahmadiyya community has been granted 1,034 acres of land to rebuild its headquarters. Rabwah is situated about 10 miles from Chiniot on the Sheikhupura-Sargodha road.

“At an estimated cost of Rs. 13 lakhs, Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad^[ra] (the Head) explained to newspapermen, it was planned to build an ideal township with hospitals, educational institutions and research institutes and provide all possible facilities for settlers in an area declared unirrigable and uncultivable by the Government. Attempts will be made to pump water from the River Chenab.

“The party of journalists was also taken fifteen miles further and shown another suitable site for an industrial town eight miles nearer the fertile canal colony town of Sargodha.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 9 November 1948, p. 4)

The same newspaper, in its 11 November 1948 issue, published a photograph of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra, with the following caption:

“Ahmadiyyas’ H.Q.

“Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad^[ra] (head of the Ahmadiyya Community), explains to newsmen and others on the site his plans for the new community at Rabwah, near Chiniot—reported and pictured in Tuesday’s ‘C. and M.’” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 11 November 1948, p. 6)

On 27 June 1955, during a speech in Hamburg, Germany, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra narrated the details of the newly-established Markaz of Ahmadiyyat, Rabwah, and stated how Allah the Almighty enabled the Jamaat to establish an astonishing town on barren land, which comprised only three tents at the outset. In the beginning, there was very little drinkable water, and when the water samples were sent to Lahore for assessment, the doctors declared it to be harmful to humans. At that time, Huzoor^ra stated, Allah the Almighty told him through a revelation that drinkable water would surely be available there, and now, in accordance with the promise of Allah, there is enough drinkable water. Huzoor^ra said that it was a great sign of the existence of Allah and the truthfulness of Ahmadiyyat.

Reporting on this, a local newspaper, Hamburger Anzeiger, wrote on 28 June 1955:

“The head of the Islamic Ahmadiyya Movement, Caliph Hazrat Mirza Mahmud Ahmad^[ra] […] described at a reception in the Europäischen Hof how the current headquarters of the movement ‘Rabwah’ in Pakistan was founded in 1950 [sic, 1948]. From a village in the middle of a desert, it has developed into a large city with secondary schools and a seminary for Muslims.” (“‘Prince of the Faithful received at Town Hall’: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud in Hamburg, Germany, 1955”, Al Hakam, 18 August 2023, Issue 283, p. 11)

In the following decades — prior to the anti-Ahmadiyya laws that prohibited Ahmadis from professing their Faith and the subsequent migration of Khilafat from Pakistan — the humble town of Rabwah served as a great centre for the propagation of the peaceful message of Islam to all corners of the world.

Early Jalsas

The first ever Jalsa Salana in Rabwah took place on 15 to 17 April 1949.

On 23 April 1949, The Civil and Military Gazette published a photograph of the Jalsa Salana Rabwah, with the following caption:

“Ahmadiyas Meet at Rabwa

“A general view of the huge gathering (more than 17,000) at the annual public meeting of the Ahmadiya community held at their new centre Rabwa, near Chiniot.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 23 April 1949, p. 4)

Reporting on the second Jalsa Salana Rabwah, held on 26 to 28 December 1949, The Civil and Military Gazette wrote:

“World Ahmadya Conference at Rabwah

“A representative conference of Ahmadis from all over the world will be held shortly at Rabwah, the Pakistan headquarters of the community, it is learned.

“The conference will review world conditions, in the light of which it will decide on ‘better and more effective ways of propagating Islam in foreign countries.’

“It is expected that, two representatives each from Britain, Europe, the Middle and Far East, America and Africa will participate in the conference, in addition to one missionary from each of the 70 missionary centres which the Ahmadya community has overseas.

“The conference will be held early next year, after the forthcoming annual session of the Ahmadya community, which will be held at Rabwah from December 26 to December 28.—Star.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 18 December 1949, p. 5)

After the Jalsa, the same newspaper wrote:

“Rabwah, Dec 30 (Star).—The three-day annual session of the Ahmadya community held at Rabwah, its new headquarters in Pakistan, concluded last night. Nearly 30,000 Ahmadis from all over the world attended. […] A resolution was unanimously passed felicitating Indonesia on the attainment of her freedom.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 31 December 1949, p. 11)

Reporting on the Jalsa Salana Rabwah 1955, The Civil and Military Gazette wrote under the heading “Ahmadiya Conf. Concludes”:

“The ninth international conference of Ahmadiya community concluded at Rabwah yesterday.

“More than 30,000 Ahmadis from all over Pakistan, Indonesia, East and West Africa, Egypt, Palestine, India and European countries attended the conference. […] The conference, besides other prominent community leaders, was addressed by Mirza Bashiruddin Ahmad Mahmood^[ra], Head of the community, and Chaudhri Muhammad Zafrullah Khan, Judge of the International Court at The Hague.

“‘Ultimate victory of Islam is bound to come,’ declared Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad^[ra], while addressing a mammoth gathering at the closing session of the conference. He made an impassioned appeal for united effort to promote true knowledge and [the] true meaning of the message and teachings of the Holy Quran.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 30 December 1955, p. 3)

Mentioning the special trains for the Jalsa Salana Rabwah in 1956, a news report stated:

“Special Trains to Rabwah

“The NWR administration will run special trains from Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, Lyallpur and Sargodha to Rabwah from December 25, in connection with the Ahmediya community annual conference to be held at Rabwah from December 26 to 28, it was announced in Lahore on Thursday.—APP” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 21 December 1956, p. 3)

Visitors

Obviously, Rabwah attracted the attention of Ahmadis from all over the world – due to the presence of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya – but one must note that this small town also hosted various dignitaries, officials, and people belonging to different walks of life, who had the opportunity to meet Hazrat Khalifatul Masih.

For instance, in January 1951, Alhaj Abdul Wahhab al-Askari of Iraq visited Rabwah. He was the representative of Iraq in the مؤتمر العالم الإسلامي (World Muslim Congress), and the editor of an Arabic magazine, As-Salaam al-Baghdadia. On 24 January, a reception was held in his honour. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 13, pp. 294-295)

On 23 April 1951, the Punjab’s Rehabilitation Minister, Sheikh Fazal Ilahi Pracha visited Rabwah and had a meeting with Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra. Reporting on his visit, The Civil and Military Gazette reported:

“The Punjab Rehabilitation Minister, Sheikh Fazal Ilahi, who is touring Jhang, Sargodha and Gujrat districts to gather first-hand impressions about the rehabilitation and land settlement work in the province, arrived in Sargodha on Monday. […] On his way to Sargodha, the Minister paid a visit to the Ahmadiya colony of Rabwa where he met Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud^[ra], head of the Ahmadiya community, foreign students at the colony and leaders of the community.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 25 April 1951, p. 4)

Another visitor was a professor at Forman Christian College Lahore, Stanley Brush (1925-2016), who visited Rabwah during the Jalsa Salana and met with Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra. For more details on his visit, see “Guests of a Caliph – December 1953”, Al Hakam, 12 October 2018, Issue 30, pp. 6-7)

Education and academics

Soon after its establishment, Rabwah became a centre of academic excellence, under the guidance and supervision of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra. Talim-ul-Islam College was a shining example of Rabwah being an epicentre of academic excellence. After the Partition of India, Talim-ul-Islam College was initially established in Lahore, and then in 1954, it was shifted to Rabwah.

Talim-ul-Islam College would host various academic debate competitions as well. For instance, a report stated:

“Inter-Collegiate Debate at Rabwa

“Rabwah, Feb. 14—An Inter-collegiate debate in Urdu was held at T.I. College, Rabwah. The topic for the debate was: ‘Is iwan ki rai men Aqwam-i-Muthadda ka wajood aman-i-alam ki rah men sab se bari rukawat hai.’” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 15 February 1956, p. 3)

In addition to Urdu, Rabwah hosted English debate competitions as well:

“Rabwah College Debate

“The T.I. College Union, Rabwah, will hold its fourth all-Pakistan inter-collegiate debates in English and Urdu on February 9 and 10. The topic for the English debate will be: ‘Individual Is More Important Than Society.’ ‘Nation No More Needs Politicians’ will be the proposition for the Urdu debate.

“Some 20 prominent debating teams from different colleges from all over Pakistan are expected to participate. A picnic party will also be arranged in honour of the speakers on the banks of the river Chenab on the first day of the debate.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 4 February 1958, p. 5)

On 13 February 1958, the same newspaper published a photograph of some college students with Hazrat Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmad^rh, the then Principal of the TI College, under the heading “Debate at Rabwah”, with the following caption:

“Some of the prize-winners with the Principal of the TI College at Rabwah after the fourth annual All-Pakistan inter-Collegiate debate there.”

On 19 June 1955, Mian Afzal Hussain (1889-1970), the then Vice-Chancellor of the Punjab University, visited Rabwah and addressed the Convocation ceremony of the Talim-ul-Islam College. The Civil and Military Gazette published a detailed report on this event, along with some photographs, under the heading “Train Students to be Good Citizens – Talim-ul-Islam College Convocation”:

“The Principal of the College, Mirza Nasir Ahmad, in his report, supported the stand taken by the Vice-Chancellor in regard to restricted admissions to colleges. Reviewing the history of the college, the Principal said despite various setbacks which the institution received one after the other, it had made commendable progress in every field and today ranked among the best institutions of the province.

“He also demanded revision in the present system of granting Government aid to private colleges and suggested efficiency as the only criterion for the assessment of the grants.

“Agreeing to the view of the Principal, Mian Afzal Hussain said: ‘He favoured the idea of giving grants on the recommendation of the University, as it was most competent to assess the needs of various institutions.’” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 21 June 1955, p. 3)

On 12 March 1957, the then Education Minister of West Pakistan, Sirdar Abdul Hameed Khan Dasti, addressed the Convocation of the Talim-ul-Islam College Rabwah:

“Rabwah College Convocation

“From Our Own Correspondent

“Jhang, March 12—Sirdar Abdul Hameed Khan Dasti, the Education Minister of West Pakistan, delivered the convocation address at the Talimul Islam College, Rabwah.

“He also thanked the Principal for extending an invitation to him to visit this institution, notable for the visits of distinguished personalities. He impressed on the graduates, in his address, to follow truth, in thought and practice.

“Mirza Nasir Ahmad, the Principal, gave away the degrees.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 13 March 1957, p. 4)

Sports

This small town of Rabwah not only became a hub of academic excellence, but it also flourished in the field of sports. Below are some glimpses from the early years.

On 1 April 1951, The Civil and Military Gazette published a photo under the heading “Indo-Pakistan Volleyball Contestants”, with the following caption:

“The three Pakistani teams, namely the Muslim Sports, the United Club of Lahore, and the Ahmadiya Club, Rabwah, who participated in the first Indo-Pakistan Volleyball Tournament held at Batala.”

In its 15 February 1955 issue, the same newspaper wrote under the heading “T.I. College Win Championship – Rowing tourney”:

“T.I. College, Rabwah, won the Ghani Zaman Open Rowing Championship with 18 points which concluded on Sunday at the River Ravi.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 15 February 1955, p. 6)

The same newspaper wrote on 25 November 1955, under the heading “Pakistan Volleyball Tournament”:

“Okara. Nov. 24—Eight matches were decided today in the All-Pakistan Volleyball Tournament held in the Municipal Park here.

“The match between Rabwah and Peshawar Volliers which ended in the former’s victory, was most thrilling.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 25 November 1955, p. 6)

Reporting on the Table Tennis competition of the Talim-ul-Islam College, the same newspaper wrote under the heading “Talimul Islam College annual sports”:

“Staff Singles: Mirza Nasir Ahmad, Principal, beat Prof. Naseer Ahmad Khan.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 11 February 1956, p. 5)

Mentioning a hiking trip by the Talim-ul-Islam College, a report stated:

“Hiking Club proceeds on tour of Swat

“The TI College Hiking Mountaineering and Youth-Hostelling Club left Rabwah on July 1, for a month’s tour of Swat. The party consisted of 16 members including three professors. The party took with them medicines like quinine etc. to be distributed free.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 3 July 1956, p. 6)

On 23 February 1957, Talim-ul-Islam College, Rabwah, won the Bumping Boat Race. A report stated under the heading “T.I. College Win Bumping Boat Race Trophy”:

“The Punjab University bumping boat race competition concluded yesterday when the Talimul Islam College, Rabwah, won the championship by maintaining their lead throughout the competition.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 24 February 1957, p. 8)

Mentioning TI College’s victory in the West Pakistan Rowing Championship, a report stated:

“Victory to T.I. College

“W. Pakistan Rowing Championship

“‘C. & M. G’ Sports Report

“Talimul Islam College, Rabwah, won the West Pakistan open rowing championships, which concluded in Lahore yesterday afternoon on the Ravi.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 9 March 1957, p. 12)

On 11 November 1957, the Talim-ul-Islam High School won a football match against the Sadhorah Muslim High School. A report stated under the heading “Talimul Islam XI Beat Jhang School”:

“Jhang, Nov. 11—The Talimul Islam High School (Rabwah) sent a football team here Last Friday.

“In a match with the Sadhorah Muslim High School, the visitors beat the home team by three goals to nil. The general standard of the game was high and the finishing of the Rabwah team was particularly good.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 12 November 1957, p. 12)

In 1958, Talim-ul-Islam College, Rabwah, won the West Pakistan Open Rowing:

“T.I. College Win Championship

“West Pakistan Open Rowing Concludes

“‘C. & M. G.’ Sports Report

“Talimul Islam College, Rabwah won the 11^th West Pakistan Open Rowing Championship Trophy with 28 points which concluded last evening at the West Pakistan Rowing Association Training Centre, river Ravi, Lahore, before a fairly large gathering.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 22 February 1958, p. 11)

Mentioning a Kabaddi tournament, a news report stated under the heading “Victory for T.I. College”:

“Interesting Kabaddi was witnessed yesterday afternoon, the opening day of the Panjab University Kabaddi Tournament when Talimul Islam College, Rabwah, defeated Islamia College Lahore by 35 points to 28 after a well-contested quarter-final at the Panjab University ground Lahore.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 30 September 1958, p. 12)

The same year, Talim-ul-Islam College Rabwah won the Punjab University (North Zone) Football tournament. A news report wrote under the heading “T.I. College Win ‘Varsity Zonal Soccer”:

“Sargodha. Oct. 24—Talim-ul-Islam College of Rabwah became champion of Punjab University (North Zone) Football Tournament when they eliminated Government De-Montmorency College Sargodha yesterday in their third meeting at Rabwah.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 25 October 1958, p. 6)

Reporting on the Punjab University’s Basketball tournament, a news report stated under the heading “TI College in Varsity Final – Board Basketball”:

“Talimul-Islam College, Rabwah will meet Forman Christian College in the final of the Panjab University Basketball Tournament when the T.I. College eliminated the Murray College, Sialkot by 33 points to 26 while the Formanites defeated the Gordon College, Rawalpindi, by 61 points to 38 in the second semi-final on Friday evening at the Panjab University ground courts, Lahore.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 14 November 1959, p. 8)

Healthcare

The small town of Rabwah also developed good quality health facilities. On 21 March 1958, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra inaugurated the Fazl-e-Omar Hospital building. A news report stated under the heading “New Hospital in Rabwah”:

“The Ahmadiya Community Chief, Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmed^[ra], inaugurated the newly-built Fazli-Omar Hospital here.

“The hospital is scheduled to have eight blocks, out of which two blocks have been completed. The Chief Medical Officer of the hospital, Dr. Sahibzada Mirza Munawar Ahmed, said after the inaugural ceremony that the hospital was equipped with full modern surgical equipment and on completion would be one of the best hospitals of Pakistan.” (The Civil and Military Gazette, 23 March 1958, p. 13)