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Eid-ul-Fitr 2008

Celebrations in the

Worldwide

Jama‘at

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

.......... The HOPE Bulletin ………..

Health, Ongoing Projects, Education

www.aaiil.org

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INTRODUCTION

Akbar Abdullah, Editor

On behalf of The HOPE Bulletin team, I extend our sincere gratitude to Brigadier Mohammad Saeed, Dr.

Mujahid Ahmad Saeed, Rizwan ud Dean, Shabir Buksh, Jannifar Khanoum, Zakir Sahu-Khan, and the many

other brothers and sisters of the worldwide Jama‘at who provided their valuable information and memorable

photographs for the preparation of this Eid Celebrations in the Worldwide Jama‘at supplement.

DEDICATION

We dedicate this Eid supplement to the memory of the late Jama'at members, Dr. Ayesha Rahman Baig

(USA), Begum Hazara Enayat Mohammad (Trinidad), Mian Farooq Ahmad Sheikh (Pakistan), Haji Hassan

Mahomed (Netherlands), Begum Fakhruddin Ahmad (Pakistan), Mirza Maqbool Baig (Pakistan), Begum

Abdul Karim (Pakistan), Begum Hadja Sardar-Ghafoerkhan (Netherlands), Br Rashid Ahmad (Pakistan),

Chaudhary Abdul Hameed Dada (Pakistan), DSP Bashir Ahmad (Pakistan), Dr. Muhammad Yusuf

(Pakistan), Mian Mubarik Ahmad (Pakistan), Begum Tahira Fazl-i-Ahmad (Pakistan), Chaudhary Saeed

Ahmad (Pakistan), Br Jabir Muhammad (USA), and the Honourable Imam Warith Deen Mohammad (USA),

who all peacefully returned to Allah since last year's Eid-ul-Fitr. May Allah have mercy on their souls and

grant them an abode in the highest pedestal in Heaven, Jannate-Firdous. Aameen.

HAZRAT AMEER’S EID-UL-FITR MESSAGE

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“Jesus, son of Mary, said: O Allah, our Lord, send down to us food from heaven which should be to us an

ever recurring happiness to the first of us and to the last of us, and a sign from Thee, and give us sustenance

and Thou art the Best of the sustainers” (5:114).

Dear sisters and brothers,

Assalaam-o-Alaikum Wa Rakhmatullahi Wa Barakaato Hoo.

We bow our heads in gratitude to the Almighty Allah that He has granted us another opportunity to fast in

the Holy month of Ramadan. In doing so we have benefited from and got nearer to Him by abstaining from

all our desires and using the faculties that He has granted us in the way He has ordained that we should.

Ramadan is not just abstinence from food and drink as is usually believed by those not familiar with the

Islamic institution of fasting. It is indeed abstinence from all the evils that may result from the misuse of the

faculties Allah has blessed us with.

In this month we have endeavoured, to the best of our ability, to seek His pleasure. We have tried to speak

truthfully, recited the Holy Quran and followed it and exhorted others to do the same; we have abstained

from falsehood, backbiting, spreading rumours, telling lies, gossiping and vile talk. We have abstained from

seeing the things that lead us to temptations and ways of sin and kept our gaze lowered as is exhorted in the

Holy Quran. Similarly we have used our minds, hearts, limbs and other body parts to please Allah and get

closer to His mercy and forgiveness.

Dear sisters and brothers! In the above cited verse the word Eid occurs with reference to Jesus, may peace be

upon him, who asked Allah to send down food from heaven as a sign and a source of ever recurring

happiness, and for sustenance. There is no denying that as a result of this prayer he got food for his disciples

but the actual sustenance he asked for and got was the spiritual bliss and happiness for those who believed in

Allah and the message he brought to them from Him.

Ramadan has come to an end and today and we celebrate this occasion as Eid ul Fitr, a day of happiness for

the Muslims all over the world. Eid in Arabic signifies an ever-recurring happiness; it is a feeling in which

there is a continuous and lasting relationship between the Creator and His creatures. We have had a good

opportunity to create such a bond and today we face a real challenge; the challenge of asking ourselves

whether this relationship will be everlasting or end once we have celebrated the physical aspects and

festivities of Eid.

I pray to Allah that the bond that we have created with Him during Ramadan is an everlasting one and we

can say with conviction that this year Ramadan has laid for us the foundation to an ever-recurring

happiness.

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Dear sisters and brothers! As we celebrate we cannot ignore the troubles, sorrows and trials that the world is

facing today at the hands of a few, who want to disrupt peace and disallow the majority to live in harmony,

love and understanding with all humans irrespective of their colour, caste, creed or religion. As we

strengthen the bond that we have created with our Maker let us also pray that we create a bond between all

God’s Creatures and achieve peace which is the meaning and essence of our religion, Islam.

Let us strive for closeness to Allah and pray that we succeed. Aameen.

Dr. Abdul Karim Saeed

Ameer and President

The Worldwide Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement

AUSTRALIA

Zakir Sahu-Khan

Assalamu 'ailaikum wa rahmatu-llahi wa barakatuh.

Dear Brother Akbar Sahib

Here some of the photos that was taken at the Eid Prayers 2008 and short report on the day.

Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated on the Wednesday 01/10/2008 at the Wentworthville Community Centre. Prayers

were led and Khutba was delivered by Brother Mohammad Ameen Sahu-Khan. The topic was appropriately

chosen by Brother Ameen as it obviously related to the significance of fasting but more importantly what we

should have achieved in this very special month of Ramadhan. He directed his speech towards self discipline

and correctness of one’s behavior. The speech echoed our Hazrat Ameer's Eid message in regards to “ever-

recurring happiness” through achieving spiritual bliss.

The celebrations continued with the tradition of members visiting each other’s house for "samai" and

wishing each other "Eid Mubarak" throughout the day.

In regards to the photos, the last shot is of Brother Mohammad Zafrullah (Treasurer), Brother Mohammad

Ameen Sahu-Khan, Brother Mohammad Usman (Vice President), my younger brother Heyat Sahu-Khan

(Board Member), my elder son, Suhayl Yusuaf Ali Sahu-Khan, and myself.

Thank you.

Khuda Hafiz.

Mr Zakir Sahu-Khan

Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat-i-Islam (Lahore) Sydney. Australia

General Secretary

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Ameen Sahu-Khan, Sydney

We thank Br Ameen Sahu Khan for sending us an electronic card, in which he conveyed his Eid greetings to

the worldwide Jama‘at.

CANADA

Report from Usman Gani Bux, former Board Member, AAIIL, Canada

In a report given via telephone by Usman Gani Bux of Vancouver, B.C., we learn that Eid-ul-Fitr was

celebrated on Wednesday, October 1st in Vancouver. This year, the function took place at the meeting hall of

a 30-storey residential building located at 2355 Madison Avenue, Burnaby, a suburban town of Vancouver

where more than forty Jama‘at members assembled for Eid prayer.

The Eid prayer was led by Br. Yaseen Sahu Khan, Pesh Imam of Vancouver’s Lahore Ahmadiyya

community. Prior to the Eid prayer, fitrana was collected and the proceeds will go to the needy in the Fiji

Islands. Sumptuous refreshments consisting of Indo-Fijian delicacies were then served to the members and

their guests.

In keeping with the tradition of Muslims of the Fiji Islands, the Ahmadi settlers in Vancouver made visits to

other families in the area for a treat of sweet sawine (vermicelli).

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Weekend Eid parties given by various families go on for a month after Eid-ul-Fitr. The traditional custom of

exchanging gifts, clothing and cash prevails amongst all families. According to Br. Gani Bux, the members

are quite cognizant of their duty of giving charity, which they follow religiously.

FIJI

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GERMANY

Muhammad Ali, Assistant Imam, Berlin Mosque

Assalamo Alikeum.

I wish you and your family Eid Mubarik.

Please remember me in your prayers.

Wasalam.

Muhammad Ali

Manfred Yahya, Berlin

My very dear brothers and sisters in our worldwide Jmaat, Salam Alejkum

I wish all of you and your families a very happy and spiritually fulfilling Eid-ul-Fitr. May Allah, with His

infinite mercy, bless you all and keep you in safe-keeping at all times.

With love and Wasalam,

Your br. Manfred Yahya

GUYANA

Mansoor Baksh

Assalaamu Alaikum.

Eid Mubarak to you and your family.

Mansoor and family

HOLLAND

A.S. Abdul Santoe, AAIIL European Representative

My dear brothers and sisters in faith,

Assalaam Alaikum WRWB.

The holy month of Ramadhan has come to its end once again. In bidding a farewell to this dearly and

inspiring period, my prayers are to strengthen the bond of brotherhood and peace within our Movement as

well as to peace , prosperity and harmony for the whole of mankind. Let us also pray for those who have

passed away; Allah's forgiveness and blessings be upon their souls.

Blessings and barkaats be upon you and all your loved ones, Ameen.

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Eid Mubarak!

AAII(L)N, The Hague

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Assalaam-o-Alaikum w.r.w.b.

The committee of the A.A.I.I.(L).N. and her members wishes U and your members a very happy Eid-ul-

Fitre.

We pray to Allah Subhaan wa Ta’la to reward you for the efforts of this month, today and in the future. May

the blessings of Allah accrue to you all.

Eid Mubarak!

INDIA

Shagufta Tareen

Wish you all a very Happy Eid in advance. May Allah the Almighty bless you all with His choicest of

blessings all through your life. Amen! (Please remember me in your prayers always).

With lots of love from Shagufta Tareen

NEW ZEALAND

Shabir Buksh, Secretary AAIIL, NZ

Assalamu Alaikum Br Akbar.

Please convey Eid Greetings from me, my family & the NZ Jamaat to all members of our Global Jamaat.

Eid Mubarak.

Wassaalam.

Br Shabir Buksh

Secretary AAIIL NZ

Dear Br Akbar,

Assalamu Alaikum.

We celebrated Eid-ul Fitr on 1/10/2008 at the residence of Br Adil Hussein.

Our president Br Abid Raza welcomed everyone and read Hazrat Ameer's Eid-ul Fitr message. I then led the

prayers and then spoke on Eid (the significance of Eid and how, we, as Muslims to lead our lives according

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to the Holy Quran). I also spoke on Ramadhan and the importance of it. The programme ended with a dua

by Br Irshaad Zullah.

Please see attached some photos taken...

Wassaalam.

Br Shabir Buksh

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PAKISTAN

Amir Aziz, General Secretary, AAII Lahore

Dear brothers and Sisters

Assalamu ALikum.

Eid Mubarak to you all.

May this day bring all favours, bounties and blessing of Allah for every one of you.

We pray that this Eid be full of happiness, joy and pleasure for you, for your family and for the whole

Ummah.

Pray for the progress and prosperity of Muslims and beseech your Lord for the peace.

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Your brother, Amir Aziz

General Secretary

AAIIL

Mudassar Aziz, PA to Hazrat Ameer Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Eid Mubarak to all of you.

Mudassar Aziz

Eid service in Central Anjuman

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SURINAME

Riaz Ahmadali & family

Peace be upon you!

Wishing all of you a joyful Eid.

May all the good intentions and lessons of this Ramadan be part of our lives during the next 11 months (and

beyond).

Those interested may download our Eid ul-Fitr songs at www.ivisep.org/islamsongs/eidsongs.htm

Riaz Ahmadali & family

Mary and Dr. Khaliel Ghafoerkhan

We thank Sister Mary and Dr. Khaliel Ghafoerkhan for sending us an electronic Eid card. Unfortunately, we

did not save their thoughtful greetings (within the stipulated 30-day period).

THAILAND

Shaukat A. Ali, Coordinator, Asia & Pacific Region

Bismillahi-r-Rahman ir Rahim. (In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.)

Dear brothers and sisters, Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahe wa Barakatuh.

Alhamdulillah, we have once again been granted the opportunity and Allah swt has facilitated the

completion of fasting for the month of Ramadan. I pray and am confident that it has been a very fruitful and

valuable spiritual experience, better than in the past because of our greater exposure, knowledge and

experiences in the intervening period. The important thing now is to ensure that we try and keep the spiritual

aspects of Ramadan Kareem in our mind all the time and implement them as practicable throughout the

coming year and beyond.

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In accordance with the Conditions of the Pledge (Bai’at) as established by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad

Sahib, Mujaddid of the Fourteenth Century Hijrah, Promised Messiah and Mehdi, those who couldn’t pray

five times a day in the past may have commenced praying regularly; those who could not rise for Tahajjud

Prayers regularly may have commenced regular Tahajjud Prayers, and those who could not say the Dzuha

Prayers regularly may have joined us (retirees) and have commenced regular Dzuha. We may have also

achieved greater sabr and solace and contributed generously to the poor and needy as well as to the

Anjuman. All these actions of ours have, no doubt, brought us closer to our Creator and Sustainer. We have

all read verse 2:186 of the Holy Quran as it comes among the verses pertaining to fasting. There are other

verses relating to nearness to our Lord; such as:

“O you who believe, keep your duty to Allah, and seek means of nearness to Him, and strive hard in

His way that you may be successful” (5:35).

“And know that Allah comes in between a man and his heart, and that to Him you will be gathered”

(8:24).

“And certainly We created man, and We know what his mind suggests to him – and We are nearer to

him than his life-vein” (50:16).

I have decided to quote a number of verses of the Holy Quran this year instead of presenting my personal

views and hope that these will assist us in our daily lives. The verses which I would like to share with you

relate to patience and doing good (to others) so that there is added incentive to continue with what we

achieved during the month of Ramadan.

Patience “And seek assistance through patience and prayer, and this is hard except for the humble ones” (2:45).

“And We shall certainly try you with something of fear and hunger and loss of property and lives and fruits.

And give good news to the patient” (2:155).

“What is with you passes away and what is with Allah is enduring. And We shall certainly give to those who

are patient their reward for the best of what they did” (16:96).

“So bear patiently what they say, and celebrate the praise of your Lord before the rising of the sun and

before its setting, and glorify (Him) during the hours of the night and parts of the day, that you may be well

pleased” (20:130).

“Whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, and who are patient in their afflictions, and who keep up

prayer, and spend of what We have given them” (22:35).

“So be patient; surely the promise of Allah is true; and ask protection for your sin and celebrate the praise

of your Lord in the evening and the morning” (40:55).

“Then he is of those who believe and exhort one another to patience, and exhort one another to mercy”

(90:17).

Doing good “Nay, whoever submits himself entirely to Allah and he is the doer of good (to others), he has his reward

from his Lord, and there is no fear for such nor shall they grieve” (2:112).

“Those who believe and do good deeds and keep up prayer and pay the poor-rate—their reward is with their

Lord; and they have no fear, nor shall they grieve” (2:277).

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“Surely Allah wrongs not the weight of an atom; and if it is a good deed, He multiplies it and gives from

Himself a great reward” (4:40).

“And whoever does good deeds, whether male or female, and he (or she) is a believer – these will enter the

Garden, and they will not be dealt with a whit unjustly” (4:124).

“Whoever brings a good deed will have tenfold like it, and whoever brings an evil deed, will be

recompensed only with the like of it, and they shall not be wronged” (6:160).

“Except those who are patient and do good. For them are forgiveness and a great reward” (11:11).

“Whoever does good, whether male or female, and is a believer, We shall certainly make him live a good

life, and We shall certainly give them their reward for the best of what they did” (16:97).

“And your Lord has decreed that you serve none but Him, and do good to parents. If either or both of them

reach old age with you, say not "Fie" to them, nor chide them, and speak to them a generous word” (17:23).

“And Allah increases in guidance those who go aright. And deeds that endure, the good deeds, are, with thy

Lord, better in recompense and yield better return” (19:76).

“And those who believe and do good, We shall certainly do away with their afflictions and reward them for

the best of what they did” (29:7).

“And it is not your wealth, nor your children, that bring you near to Us in rank; but whoever believes and

does good, for such is a double reward for what they do, and they are secure in the highest places” (34:37).

“Those who believe and do good, for them is surely a reward never to be cut off” (41:8).

“Whoever does good, it is for his own soul; and whoever does evil, it is against it. And your Lord is not in

the least unjust to the servants” (41:46).

“Except those who believe and do good -- for them is a reward that shall never be cut off” (84:25).

“Except those who believe and do good, and exhort one another to Truth, and exhort one another to

patience” (103:3).

Let us pray that Compassionate and Merciful Allah guides and protects us:

“Our Lord, grant us good in this world and good in the Hereafter” (2:201).

“Our Lord, impose not on us (afflictions) which we have not the strength to bear. And pardon us!

And grant us protection! And have mercy on us!” (2:286).

Aameen.

Eid Mubarak.

Salaams and dua to all of you as well as to your loved ones. Wassalam,

Shaukat A. Ali,

Regional Coordinator, Asia and Pacific,

Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam (Lahore), Phuket

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TRINIDAD & TOBAGO

Ashraf & Nafiesa Ali

We thank Almighty Allah for our presence in Ramadan and our ability to observe the month appropriately.

We pray that the blessings of this holy month will remain with us until the next coming of Ramadan, Insha

Allah.

Eid Mubarak.

Ashraf and Nafiesa Ali

AMLT of Trinidad & Tobago

Nadara Khan

Assalamu Alaikum.

On behalf of the Chairman and members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Literary Trust, Trinidad and Tobago, I

extend to you warmest Eid greetings.

Nadara

UNITED KINGDOM

Shahid Aziz, Secretary, AAIIL

Eid Mubarak to all our brothers and sisters all over the world. May Allah keep all of you safe. …

Shahid Aziz

Secretary

AAIIL(UK)

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

Jannifar Khanoum, Oakland Mosque, California

Dear Brothers & Sisters in our Worldwide Jama'ats:

Assalam-O-Alaikum W.R.W.B.

Eid-ul-Fitr will be on Wednesday October 1 2008 at Oakland Masjid. Eid namaz will start at 9:30 AM.

After namaz there will be speeches, gifts given to kids, it will end with a dua from Muhammed Mustapha,

then Eid sweets.

Jannifar Khanoum

Daughter of Mohammed Mustapha

Service at Oakland Mosque

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Greetings from Br. Zainal A. Sahu-Khan

Eid Mubarak to one and all. May Allah (SWT) bless you and keep you under his care always. A special

thanks to you Brother Akbar for your tireless efforts in keeping the message of Islam coming to us regularly.

Zainal A. Sahu-Khan, MBA, MA, BS

Chief Master Sergeant, United States Air Force

CONTACT INFORMATION

Akbar Abdullah Editor, The HOPE Bulletin

Mailing Address: P.O. Box A2127

211 South Clark Street

Chicago, IL 60690, U.S.A.

E-mail Address: akbar_786us@yahoo.com

Telephone Number: (773) 539-6892

Facsimile Number: (773) 539-9975