Intro
Zandra was semi famous in the USA for answering questions and pretending to be a Muslim Mystic. He appeared in 100’s of American newspapers from roughly 1925 to 1940. In 1929-1930, the Ahmadiyya Movement alleged that he had converted to Ahmadiyya (See ROR, Sep-Oct-1930). However, this was short lived and what seems to be a publicity stunt, by 1934, he was back to being “ask Zandra” and made lots of money doing it. Zandra told “The Riverside Daily Press” of Wed, Jul 10, 1929 ·Page 9 that his father was white British Army officer, and Zandra was born on the banks of the Benares River in India.
In Feb-1930, via “The Los Angeles Evening Citizen News” of Tue, Feb 18, 1930 ·Page 2, Zandra is mentioned as a convert to Qadianism and his new name is Mohammed Basheer and Haider Ali is named as his private secretary. This is G.A. Zandra. Mohammed Basheer aka Zandra has tentative plans to build a mosque, he lives at 1723 North Whitley Avenue, Hollywood, Ca. Mohammed Basheer aka Zandra alleges that there are 100’s of Moslems in Southern California. However, this is pending the approval of Sufi M.R. Bengalee (the only official Ahmadiyya Maulvi in the USA in 1930), which was stated by the private secretary of Mohammed Basheer, a man named Haider Ali. Dr. Bengalee is currently in New Orleans and will return to Los Angeles on a lecture tour in March. The proposed Mosque in Los Angeles will be like the Ahmadiyya temples in Berlin and England.
The Los Angeles Times of Feb-18-1930 reports that an Ahmadi missioner named Mohammed Basheer was living in Hollywood (Los Angeles area, Southern California) and desired to build a mosque there to serve the immigrant Muslim community. His views on converting non-Muslims are not mentioned, nor is his Ahmadi sectarian affiliation (Qadiani or Lahori). See “Mosque of Islam May Rise Here,” Los Angeles Times, February 18, 1930, A3 (See Bowen, A History of Conversion to Islam in the United States, Volume 1, White American Muslims before 1975, page 287). This was also reported in the Los Angeles Evening Post Record of Feb-18-1930 (see scan in the below) and Lincoln Nebraska State Journal of 2-27-1930 (see scans in the below).
Mohammed Basheer alleged to have live at 1723 Whitley Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028. Interestingly, he mentioned Moorish architecture. This is important because of the connections of the Ahmadiyya Movement and Noble Drew Ali and Moorish Science Temple. Mohammed Basheer also alleged that 100’s of Muslims (Indian’s, Japanese, Chinese, Phillipino’s, Persians, Syrian’s and Egyptians) are willing to work together to get a mosque built. He also alleged that there were 226 million Muslims in the world and that the Koran was translated into 40 languages.
In July-1930, Hoffert claims that there was only 12 white Ahmadi’s in Chicago and 80-90 across the USA and specifically a Mr. G.A. Zandra (Zandra is a Greek name for a woman, short for Alexandra) in Hollywood, California. Hoffert alleges that G.A. Zandra has been lecturing for 12 years on “inspirational psychology” in larger cities of America. Hoffert alleges that in Jan-1930, Zandra wrote about lecturing over the radio and thinks he will get converts to Qadianism through the radio. Hoffert even direct quoted Zandra aka Mohammed Basheer as saying in 1929: “‘My conversion to Islam, the true faith, has given me the inspiration to establish a Hollywood Study Center…you must realize that I have been a profound student of the Al Koran and consequently it is my sincere desire to so as much as I can to stimulate interest in our beloved Ahmadiyya Movement and by organizing a local study group composed of some of the most intellectual motion picture professional people, I know that many can be converted to our cause”. (See Review of Religions, Sep-Oct-1930 edition).
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1927
Santa Cruz Sentinel of Wed, Aug 24, 1927 ·Page 1
Zandra appeared in the Santa Cruz Sentinel of Wed, Aug 24, 1927 ·Page 1 as someone was a “Seer” an “Oriental Mystic” and commented on a recent airplane crash. Zandra alleged to know where the plane crashed and etc.
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1928
Nov
Press-Telegram of Tue, Nov 27, 1928 ·Page 10
Zandra, the one who sees beyond is answering questions from the fair sex, regardless of their nature.
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1929
Jun
The Stockton Daily Record of Sat, Jun 08, 1929 ·Page 36
Zandra (the white Mahatma) alleges that he is Indian and born on banks of the Benares in India. He is scheduled to appear on ABC (See “The Stockton Daily Record” of Sat, Jun 08, 1929 ·Page 36) and look into his crystal ball and give predictions. This will be aired tonight at 9PM.
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1929
Jul
Riverside Daily Press of Wed, Jul 10, 1929 ·Page 9
Zandra told “The Riverside Daily Press” of Wed, Jul 10, 1929 ·Page 9 that his father was white British Army officer, and Zandra was born on the banks of the Benares River in India.
Scan
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1930
Feb-18
Los Angeles Evening Citizen News of Tue, Feb 18, 1930 ·Page 2
Mohammed Basheer aka Zandra has tentative plans to build a mosque, he lives at 1723 North Whitley Avenue, Hollywood, Ca. Mohammed Basheer aka Zandra alleges that there are 100’s of Moslems in Southern California. However, this is pending the approval of Sufi M.R. Bengalee (the only official Ahmadiyya Maulvi in the USA in 1930), which was stated by the private secretary of Mohammed Basheer, a man named Haider Ali. Dr. Bengalee is currently in New Orleans and will return to Los Angeles on a lecture tour in March. The proposed Mosque in Los Angeles will be like the Ahmadiyya temples in Berlin and England.
Scan
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1930
Feb-18
Los Angeles Times, Feb-18-1930
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1930
Feb-18
Los_Angeles_Evening_Post_Record_1930_02_18_13
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1930
Feb
Lincoln_Nebraska_State_Journal_1930_02_27_4
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1930
March
Los Angeles Evening Citizen News of Sat, Mar 01, 1930 ·Page 14
Daily News of Fri, Mar 14, 1930 ·Page 30
The San Diego Sun of Tue, Mar 25, 1930 ·Page 21
Los Angeles Evening Citizen News of Sat, Nov 01, 1930 ·Page 7
Los Angeles Evening Express of Fri, Oct 31, 1930 ·Page 1
Zandra is described as a “Moslem Mystic”. Zandra is using the radio and claiming mental feats. He can be found on KNX and KFOX Long Beach. Zandra can be reached at P.O. Box 563, Hollywood, Ca. Zandra is described as an Indian seer.
Scan
Los Angeles Evening Express of Fri, Oct 31, 1930 ·Page 1
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1930
July
Andrew T. Hoffert, “The Moslem Movement in America,” The Moslem World, 20 (1930): 309
In July-1930, Hoffert claims that there was only 12 white Ahmadi’s in Chicago and 80-90 across the USA and specifically a Mr. G.A. Zandra (Zandra is a Greek name for a woman, short for Alexandra) in Hollywood, California. Hoffert alleges that G.A. Zandra has been lecturing for 12 years on “inspirational psychology” in larger cities of America. Hoffert alleges that in Jan-1930, Zandra wrote about lecturing over the radio and thinks he will get converts to Qadianism through the radio. Hoffert even direct quoted Zandra aka Mohammed Basheer as saying in 1929: “‘My conversion to Islam, the true faith, has given me the inspiration to establish a Hollywood Study Center…you must realize that I have been a profound student of the Al Koran and consequently it is my sincere desire to so as much as I can to stimulate interest in our beloved Ahmadiyya Movement and by organizing a local study group composed of some of the most intellectual motion picture professional people, I know that many can be converted to our cause”.
Scans
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1930
Oct
Pasadena Star-News of Fri, Oct 31, 1930 ·Page 21
In Oct-1932, police were searching for William McGrath, who works as a publicity man for “Zandra”, who alleges to be an Indian seer. They are also looking for Frank Kerwin (well known in boxing circles). J.M. Bass alleges that he was attacked by these 2 at 6434 Yucca street, wherein McGrath and Zandra used to live.
Scan
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Via the Illustrated Daily News of Los Angeles, on Mon, Oct 24, 1932 ·Page 7
A photo of Zandra appeared on page 7. He was described as “An Eminent White Mahatma”.
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Links and Related Essay’s
The history of #Ahmadiyya in #California 1921-1958 – ahmadiyyafactcheckblog
This history of #Ahmadiyya in the #USA – ahmadiyyafactcheckblog
Click to access 1930-aug-sept.pdf
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Tags
#ahmadiyya #ahmadiyyafactcheckblog #messiahhascome #ahmadiyyat #trueislam #mirzaghulamahmad
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