Social Media Critic: Exploitation. I saw a young orphan kid wasting his time volunteering for the jamaat. End of the year, he failed his Intermediate exams. Did jamaat ask him to focus on his studies more? Nope. I asked him to care about his old mother and focus on his studies. Few days later he told me that Sadar sahab asked him to not mingle with me anymore. Some years later I saw another orphan kid about to be exploited by them… This time I didn’t put in any effort because I had already broken off the mental connect I had with Ahmadiyya.
Response: All our young members between the ages of 15 and 40 are part of an organization called Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya. You have given the impression that the Jama’at has no regard for the education of our youth. This is very misleading and incorrect. We have a department in Jama’at dedicate to this (National Talim (Education) Department), and we have a department in Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya also dedicated to this (Muhtamim Talim [Director of Education]). We have this department running at the national level and at regional and local levels. According to the rules, the objective of this department is defined as follows:
- He shall endeavour for the general educational uplift of the Jamaat. The least requirement is that every Ahmadi should be literate. It is preferred that Ahmadi youth complete at least the higher school education.
- He shall see that every Jamaat carries out a survey of its children and identifies such children who do not attend school in spite of their age.
He shall also find out the reason why such children are not attending school or not performing well at school and try to resolve the difficulties which the children or the parents are facing. If some children find it difficult to carry on the conventional education, he shall try to guide and motivate them to adopt some suitable vocation.
- He shall see the Jamaat youth, men, women, boys and girls pursue higher education. For this purpose, he shall provide necessary information, guidance and assistance to Ahmadi youth.
When we look at these rules, we come to understand that the Jama’at highly values the good education of all its young members.
What is more is that you give the impression that the Jama’at or Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya asked a person to volunteer while disregarding their studies. This is never the case. The Jama’at always encourages all its youth members to give due regard to their studies. In fact, the Jama’at even offers scholarships of various kinds and counselling to those who need it. If a person decides not to take advantage of these services, then that it their choice. The Jama’at cannot compel anyone.
Quite to the contrary, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper) has encouraged the Khuddam (youth members between the ages of 15 and 40) to give due consideration to their studies. Once, “a student asked what they should give priority to if they are studying, whilst, at the same time, volunteering in various roles within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community”. In response to this question, Huzoor said:
“Those who are studying in university should see if they can do justice to their Community responsibilities along with their studies. If they cannot do justice then they should mention to their superiors that for a certain time, and particularly during exam periods, it is not possible for them to serve fully. At such times, focus upon your studies. However, other than the time you spend on your studies, at weekends and other free time, utilise for service of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. You should not waste your time in futile pursuits.”
WAQF-E-NAU UK VIRTUAL MEETING WITH HAZRAT KHALIFATUL MASIH (MAY ALLAH BE HIS HELPER)
Furthermore, you suggest that he was “wasting his time” volunteering for the Jama’at, however, you fail to elaborate what kind of wastage it was. Our Jama’at volunteers to help the poor, raise funds for hospitals, organize charity walks, etc. Is this a waste of time?
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