Lajnah Ima’Illah, Sweden
The very first Lajnah meeting in Sweden was held in August 1969, under the supervision of Imam Kamal Yousuf, Missionary in Charge of that time, in the home of the Arhan family, famous carpet dealers in Gothenburg, Sweden. The reason for it being held in private home was that there was no mosque in Sweden at that time. Actually there were very few persons of Pakistani origin but imam Kamal Yousuf, in Sweden at that time.
A handful Ahmadi women were gathered, I remember one Swedish, e.g. myself, one Yugoslav, one Turkish and one Chinese. There were at least one non-Ahmadi lady present as well, being interested. On this meeting a Lajnah was started and an election was performed, and I was elected the first national Sadr Lajnah in Sweden.
The information about the election was reported to the Center by imam Kamal Yousuf. The reply arrived in September 1969 and was signed by “M. Siddiqa”, with the stamp “The President LajnahImaillah”.
I started my work instantly after receiving this reply, and a correspondence between me and the central Lajnah office in Rabwah took its start along with the work going on in Sweden. Thus I have a big number of letters with advice and instructions.
When I started my work, Bushra Ahmad, Gothenburg, was approved as national General Secretary at that time in Sweden.
A note about the start of the Swedish Lajnah ws written by imam Kamal Yousuf and is contained in Aktiv Islam, Jubilee edition, printed 1990.
Dr. Qanita
mashAllah, M. Siddiqa, she was also wife of second khalifa, very lovely pious kind affectionate lady president of Pakistan Jamaat Ahmadiyyat.
Very interesting that you were the first Lajna president of Sweden. I wasn’t aware of that! You too are very lovely, pious kind and thoughtful of others! I respect you very much dear Amme Qanita
Regards Didi.