The Ahmadiyya Gazette magazine, by the Ahmadiyya Movement in the USA

Intro
The Ahmadiyya Gazette was started by Khalil Ahmad Nasir (Missionary in-charge in the USA from 1948 to 1959). The 4th edition seems to be from June-1950 and is available online herein. The next available edition is from 1956, then it jumps to 1967, it is unclear where these missing editions went.

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1950
Jun1950.pdf (ahmadiyyagazette.us)

This seems to be the 4th number of the Ahmadiyya Gazette (June-1950). It starts off with Khalil Ahmad Nasir reporting how the Qadiani-Ahmadi’s miraculously came up with $50,000 and bought the residence in Washington D.C. which was called the American Fazl Mosque.

Khalil Ahmad Nasir then gives a list of Donors, he alleges that all the Ahmadi’s of Dayton have given $155.00, Khalil Ahmad Nasir alleges that Ahmadi’s in Pittsburgh have given $349.00. Khalil Ahmad Nasir alleges that 2 Ahmadi’s in Indianapolis (Sister and Brother Ahmad Ali) have given $100. Khalil Ahmad Nasir alleges that he received $30 from 2 Ahmadi’s in Kansas City (Sister Kareema and Sister Aaliyah). Khalil Ahmad Nasir alleges that a sister Kareema from Chicago also gave $5. Khalil Ahmad Nasir alleges that Ahmadi’s in Cincinatti have given $25, that brings the total amount to $664. He also admits that the Dayton mission has an outstanding loan of $500 that it needs to repay and another loan to an Ahmadi, Bro Ameer Ali from Youngstown, Ohio.

Khalil Ahmad Nasir explains how the management of missions in the USA will be broken into circles.

1—New York Circle–managed by Maulvi Ghulam Yaseen, covered the states of Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Maryland.

2—Pittsburgh Circle–managed by Abdul Qadir, covered Pennsylvania, Ohio and Michigan.

3—Missouri Circle–managed by Maulvi Shukar ilahi Hussain, covered Missouri, Illinois and Indiana.

This edition of the Ahmadiyya Gazette (June-1950) also has some of the diary of Rashid Ahmad from March 4th to April 8th-1950 from Rabwah. Rashid Ahmad talks about all the water that is available in Rabwah. Om March-12, Rashid Ahmad gave a speech (he talked about American Ahmadi’s) at an Ahmadiyya event in Sarghoda. Rashid Ahmad explains how he rubbed shoulders with Sheikh Mubarak Ahmad and he told Rashid Ahmad about how clean Qadian used to be, it seems that Qadian was extremely dirty and had sewage in the streets in the early 1950’s. Mufti Muhammad Sadiq gave a Friday Sermon while the 2nd Qadiani Khalifa was in Lahore. Rashid Ahmad met Dr. Mirza Munawar Ahmad (son of the 2nd Qadiani Khalifa).
Rashid Ahmad mentions how an Ahmadi Maulvi from Holland had just returned to the headquarters. Rashid Ahmad alleges that there was an Ahmadi from Sudan who was in Rabwah. Rashid Ahmad mentions how Maulvi F. R. Hakeem gave a speech at the school that Rashid Ahmad at on “Islam in West Africa”. Rashid Ahmad alleges that Maulvi Abdul Khaliq was sent to Iran as a Qadiani-Ahmadi Maulvi. Rashid Ahmad alleges that Saud Ahmad was sent to West Africa (either Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana or Nigeria). Rashid Ahmad alleges that money was collected in Rabwah for the American Fazl Mosque (which was a private residence). Rashid Ahmad explains how Ahmadi’s regularly did tabligh/dawah in their locale (a 15 miles radius around Rabwah). In April of 1950, Maulvi Muhammad Ibrahim returned from serving 3 years in Italy and 2 years in West Africa, he is the brother-in-law of Maulvi Ghulam Yaseen (who was working in the USA). The wife of Maulvi Muhammad Ibrahim had died in Rabwah and left 9 children to be raised by their father only, in these circumstances, Rashid Ahmad was allowed to marry one of his daughters. The 2nd Qadiani-Ahmadi Khalifa had severe gout in those days. Rashid Ahmad alleges that the 2nd Qadiani-Ahmadi Khalifa was sitting with his doctor in a Majlis-e-Shura and was constantly taking medicine. Mufti Muhammad Sadiq told Rashid Ahmad that he spoke 7 languages, including Esperanto (a total lie). Maulvi Nur Ahmad Munir (allegedly a Qadiani-Ahmadi Maulvi working in Syria) gave a speech at the school that Rashid Ahmad was attending. Rashid Ahmad alleges that Mufti Muhammad Sadiq led many Friday prayers in 1950 since the 2nd Qadiani-Ahmadi Khalifa was sick. Rashid Ahmad alleges that a German Ahmadi named Mr. Abdul Karim Duncker was in Rabwah. Rashid Ahmad alleges that Zafrullah Khan was in Rabwah in April of 1950.

The Ahmadiyya Gazette (June-1950) then gives reports from abroad, the first one is from England, it is reported that Maulvi Mushtaq Ahmad Bajwa is the Imam of the Fazl Mosque in London and he has been away touring and etc. An American Ahmadi, Brother Nasir Muhammad Sial (who was the secretary for the 2nd Ahmadiyya Jalsa in the USA in 1949) went to London and worked with the Ahmadiyya center, he is scheduled to return to Rabwah shortly. Another American Ahmadi named Chaudhri Mohammad Abdullah seems to have visited the Ahmadiyya missions in France and Switzerland. Ahmadiyya sources allege that he even visited London and gave a speech at the famous Fazl Mosque.

The Ahmadiyya Gazette (June-1950) reports that Ahmadi’s are working on building a temple in the Hague, Netherlands. The 2nd Qadiani-Ahmadi Khalifa says that he wants Ahmadi women to pay for the new temple in Holland (Netherlands).

The Ahmadiyya Gazette (June-1950) reports on Ahmadiyya in Spain and the work of Maulana Karam ilahi Zafar. They allege that he was on the radio for 45 minutes and talking about Ahmadiyya.

The Ahmadiyya Gazette (June-1950) reports on Ahmadiyya in Switzerland and the work of Shaikh Nasir Ahmad. He seems to have a German magazine entitled, “Der Islam”, he is also working on a German translation of the Quran.

There is a financial report given thereafter, this covers the first 4 months of 1950. Allegedly, only $530.52 were given as chanda by the entire USA jamaat. Allegedly, Ahmadiyya headquarters sent $1872.90, which brought the USA budget to $2403.42. This money was spent on Ahmadi Maulvi’s, Khalil Ahmad Nasir (and his family), Ghulam Yasin, Shukar Ilahi and Abdul Qadir = $1560. $338.43 was spent on rent for Ahmadiyya offices, $11.13 on stationary, $219 on conveyance, $142.06 on mail, $19 repairs to office furniture, $95 on Literature and Gazette and $68,75 on miscellaneous.

The Ahmadiyya Gazette (June-1950) then gives a financial report on the Muslim Sunrise. On April 30, 1950, the Cleveland mission of Ahmadiyya had given $30.50, Sheikh Nazeer Elahi gave $10, the Indianapolis mission gave $30 and $4.50 for miscellaneous. Thus, total income for April was $75. However, the debits are $745.75, thus the newspaper was roughly $700 in debt. The printing of the 1st Quarter costed $176.81, the second quarter costed $180.41, envelopes and mailing charges were roughly $71. The total debt from Jan to April-1940 was $428.29. There was a previous debt carried forward of $317.46, and lastly the Dayton jamaat hadn’t paid some of their arrears.

The Ahmadiyya Gazette (June-1950) alleges that on April 9th, 1950, the Ahmadiyya movement held a Tabligh day in St. Louis and New York.

The Ahmadiyya Gazette (June-1950) alleges that Ahmadi’s in the USA met Mr. Liaqat Ali Khan (Prime Minister of Pakistan).

The Ahmadiyya Gazette (June-1950) then talks about payments to Tahrik-e-Jadid (“The New Scheme”) and how Ahmadi’s in the USA are about to send their payment to Pakistan. Khalil Ahmad Nasir alleges that Ahmadi’s in Dayton and Indianapolis have fulfilled their pledges.

The Ahmadiyya Gazette (June-1950) promoted Ahmadiyya books for sale too, the famous English commentary of the Quran (partial) is marketed. New World Order by the 2nd Qadiani-Ahmadi Khalifa is also for sale and “The Economic Structure of Islamic Society”. “Where Did Jesus Die” by Jalal ud Din Shams is also for sale. A book entitled, “The Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam” (written by the 2nd Qadiani-Ahmadi Khalifa) was endorsed at the 2nd Annual Qadiani-Ahmadi USA Jalsa (in 1949 in Dayton) and revised by Zafrullah Khan and then published. The London mission of Ahmadi’s published “Introduction to the Study of the Holy Quran”.

The Ahmadiyya Gazette (June-1950) alleges that they plan to send at least one American to Rabwah every year for training to become an Ahmadi mullah. Thus, Rashid Ahmad is in Rabwah. A man named Ahmad Shaheed signs off as the secretary.

The Ahmadiyya Gazette (June-1950) also talks about the new cooperative committee, which was started at the 2nd Annual Qadiani-Ahmadi USA Jalsa (in 1949 in Dayton).

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1956
FirstQuarter1956.pdf (ahmadiyyagazette.us)

In the Ahmadiyya Gazette of the First Quarter-1956, the 2nd Qadiani-Ahmadi Khalifa begs for Ahmadi’s in the USA to sign up for Wasiyyat. The 2nd Qadiani-Ahmadi Khalifa explains how there is a graveyard in Qadian, India and Rabwah, Pakistan and maybe a 3rd in the USA if enough Ahmadi’s sign up. The 2nd Qadiani-Ahmadi Khalifa urges the missionary in-charge in the USA (Khalil Ahmad Nasir) should thoroughly explain Wasiyyat and then buy a property accordingly.

The 2nd Qadiani-Ahmadi Khalifa explains how Wasiyyat money will be split up from America. 50% of the money collected will go to “The Central Ahmadiyya Anjuman” (in Rabwah) and “Tahrik-e-Jadid”. Of the remaining 50%, 37.5% would be spent in the USA on propagation (aka pay for the Maulvi’s), and the remaining 12.5% would be spent among the poor Ahmadi’s.

A few wedding are announced, Maulvi Abdul Qadar Zaighum is in Rabwah and his wife gave birth to a boy.

The procedures for collecting money from women (Lajna) is laid out.

Ahmadi’s are ordered to pray for the 2nd Qadiani-Ahmadi Khalifa, his health is deteriorating. Report written by Muhammad Sadiq, secretary of Tabligh in the USA jamaat.

A report on the Ahmadiyya mission in Holland (Netherlands) is given. They allege that in 1956, Hafiz Qudratullah (after working as a secretary of the Indonesian mission from Rabwah, was again being sent to Holland (Netherlands) as the missionary-in-charge.

A report on Ahmadiyya in the Scandanavian countries is also given. Maulvi Syed Kamal Yousaf (also spelled Kamal Yusuf) was assigned to the Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden) for tabligh.

The 2nd Qadiani-Ahmadi Khalifa appointed Rashid Ahmad (spelled as Rasheed Ahmad) as an honorary missionary in St. Louis. Rashid Ahmad will be working under Mr. A. Shukoor Kunze.

The Khuddam pledge is given. Some small Ahmadiyya pamphlets with basics of beliefs are explored. The famous english commentary of the Quran (1947) allegedly by the 2nd Qadiani-Ahmadi Khalifa is for sale. Ahmadi’s are reminded to pay Tahrik-e-Jadid (“The New Scheme”). A list of books for sale is also given and very similar to the list in the Muslim Sunrise magazine. 1 book by MGA: “The Teachings of Islam” aka “The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam”. 10 books by the Qadiani 2nd Khalifa, 2 by Mirza Bashir Ahmad, 3 by Zafrullah Khan, 1 book by Sufi M.R. Bengalee, 1 book by J.D. Shams, 1 book by Shaikh Nasir Ahmad, a book by Zahoor Ahmad Bajwa (missionary-in-charge in England), 2 books from A.R. Dard and 3 books by Khalil Ahmad Nasir.

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1967
Scanned using Book ScanCenter 5022 (ahmadiyyagazette.us)

The Ahmadiyya Gazette of 1967 quotes MGA in Malfuzat about Hell and Heaven being on Earth. October 15, 1967 is announced as an Ahmadiyya day of Tabligh.
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1968

Syed Jawad Ali is mentioned in the Ahmadiyya Gazette of July-1968 as a jamaat secretary and someone Ahmadi’s should contact for help getting to the USA Jalsa of 1968 in Dayton, Ohio.

Per the Ahmadiyya Gazette of Sep-1968, Syed Jawad Ali regularly gets “The Teachings of Islam” from London and distributes it. He also helped organize the Jalsa of 1968, which was held in Dayton, Ohio. There were four sessions. Three of them were held on Saturday. The first session was presided by Br. Ahmad Shaheed, Ameer of Pittsburgh. The second one was presided by Br. Bashir Afzal, Ameer of New York, and Consultative Meeting, the 3rd one was presided by the Chief Missionary himself on Sunday the fourth session was presided by Dr. Khalil Ahmad Nasir.
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1971
The untold story of black Muslims in America: Pioneering African-American Ahmadi Muslim converts, St Louis (alhakam.org)
“Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam”, Ahmadiyya Gazzette, 1971, p. 4

Aside from socialising, education was a key part of this chapter; Sister Aziza particularly recalls The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam and Where Did Jesus Die? as key texts that were frequently read by the early members – the former had to be read before taking allegiance. Her husband was fundamental in American Islam. Rashid Ahmad was the first African-American missionary to study in Rabwah, Pakistan, before returning to America. His long-time friend, Percy Smith, enquired about Islam on his own return, accepting the Movement soon after. He had been on his own journey and would host popular jazz musicians in California at his house to discuss spirituality and religion. He became a staunch proselytiser in his own right in St Louis, later re-locating and taking the name Saeed Ahmad. He would send letters, pass handbills and visit people’s homes to spread the message of Islam. He even sent a cablegram to Pakistan in repudiation of a false statement published in Lahore.
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1972

In Jan of 1972, Maulvi Abdur Rahman Khan Bengali (aka A.R. Khan Bengali) kept having heart attacks, so the Ahmadiyya Movement appointed Maqbool Ahmad Qureshi as the “Acting Missionary-in-Charge of the USA” (See the Ahmadiyya Gazette of Jan-1972).

Via The Ahmadiyya Gazette USA January 1972, p. 3, the executive committee of Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya National held its meeting at Dayton on 7 January 1972. The meeting was presided over by Missionary In-Charge Maqbool A. Qureshi.

Following attended:

1. Br. Abdur Rahim Zafr, Mu’tamid and Nazim of education and enrollment.
2. Br. Munir Hamid of Philadelphia- Nazim of propagation.
3. Br. Dhul Waqar Yaqub of Troy Ohio-Nazim of propagation.
4. Br. Abdul Karim of Chicago-Nazim of Social Service.
5. Br. Jameel-ur-Rahman of Pittsburgh- Nazim Tahrik Jadīd.
6. Br. Basharat Ahmad Sabur of Milwaukee-Nazim of Trade and Industry.
7. Br. Lateef Ahmad of St. Louis-Nazim of Dignity of Labor
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In March of 1984, Maqbool Ahmad Qureshi became an editor with the Ahmadiyya Gazette. He did this until the Aug-Sep-1985-edition of the Ahmadiyya Gazette.
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1985

After the Aug-Sep-1985-edition of the Ahmadiyya Gazette, Maqbool Ahmad Quresh is no longer an editor.
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1986

Maqbool Ahmad Qureshi was at the American Fazl Mosque in Washington D.C. for “Masih Day” and read out a poem and is teaching some weird classes (See the Ahmadiyya Gazette of May-June-1986). He seems to be a regular member of the Washington D.C. Jamaat (see the Ahmadiyya Gazette of Feb-1986).

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Links and Related Essay’s

English By Year – The Ahmadiyya Gazette

Who is Abdus-Shakoor Kunze? The first German-Ahmadi Imam – ahmadiyyafactcheckblog