Overview

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) left Rabwah on August 5, 1975, for his fourth tour of Europe and stayed in London for treatment from August 6, 1975, to September 24, 1975. During this period, on August 24 and August 25, 1975, His Holiness delivered an inspiring lecture at the Jalsa Salana of the Ahmadiyya UK Jamaat.

From September 25, 1975 to October 4, 1975, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) visited Sweden, where His Holiness laid the foundation stone of the mosque in Gothenburg, Sweden, on September 27, 1975, and then went on to visit Norway, and Denmark. From October 15 to October 26, 1975, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) stayed in London, and on October 29, 1975, His Holiness returned safely to Rabwah.

Objective of the Tour

Before leaving for his trip, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) spoke to the Jamaat:

“I have been ill for the past several months. Although I am getting better with the grace of Allah Almighty, I am still not fully recovered. The same advice has been given by the elders of Jamaat Pakistan, who recommend that I go abroad for treatment. Members outside Pakistan also want me to go abroad for diagnosis and treatment. Therefore, after prayers and Istikhara, I am going out of Pakistan for a few weeks. Members of the Jamaat should pray that Allah Al-Shafi, by his grace and mercy, shortens this period of diagnosis and treatment. Amen.”1

Arrival In England

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) arrived in London, England on August 6, 1975. During his stay in London, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) was busy with medical consultations. Apart from this, His Holiness visited the mission house daily and spent many hours at the post office, writing answers to letters. In response to letters asking for instructions, His Holiness noted detailed guidance to make the propagation of Islam more effective worldwide.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) also conducted individual and collective meetings and participated in various Majlis Ilm and Irfan sessions. Jamaat members from other cities in England travelled to London to meet him and benefit from his teachings. His Friday sermons were attended by Jamaat members from London, Croydon, Southall, Barking, Bradford, Greenford, Oxford, High Wick, Birmingham, Jlinkham, Hounslow, Newton, Leicester, Manchester, and others. During this tour, 33 people entered the Ahmadiyya community by taking Bait with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh). Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) delivered eleven Friday sermons, the Eid al-Fitr sermon in London, and also attended three receptions.

In line with the doctors’ advice to take daily walks in open places outside London, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) visited various locations including Hampton Court Palace, Box Hill, Richmond Park, Kew Gardens, Roehampton Park, Woodland Park, Duke of Bedford & J. Chipperfield, Virginia Water Lake, Safari Garden, Wilburn Wild Animal Kingdom, Weasley Garden, Oakfield, Knebworth House, and Windsor Castle Hill.

On August 10, 1975, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) visited the Mission House in London. During his visit, His Holiness conducted an inspection and provided valuable advice to Imam Sahib and the missionaries. This guidance was aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of their missionary work and ensuring the smooth operation of the Mission House, which played a crucial role in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s activities in the region.

The following day, on August 11, 1975, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) visited a dentist named Shah Sahib. His Holiness went to Shah Sahib’s clinic for a dental check-up.2

Jalsa Salana UK 1975

On August 24-25, 1975, the 11th annual Jalsa Salana UK took place, during which Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) delivered both the opening and closing speeches. His Holiness also had the honour of meeting Ahmadi members who travelled from far-off places in England and other European countries, including Spain, France, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Italy, East Africa, Mauritius, as well as members from America, Sierra Leone, Gambia, and Nigeria.

Almost a week after Jalsa Salana UK, on August 31, 1975, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) graced the London Mission House by planting a tree in the garden with his blessed hand.3

Meeting with an old friend

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) was provided with an opportunity to meet with a friend from his past and share experiences, reflecting on their time together during their academic years. Al Fazl mentions this in their daily article. 

On September 18, 1975, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) visited his classmate, Mr. Beldock, in Oxford, Mr. Beldock resided in Liphook, Hampshire.4

Arrival In Sweden 

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) embarked on this historic journey to Sweden on September 25, 1975, and arrived in Gothenburg, Sweden’s second-largest city, on September 27, 1975.

Laying Foundation Stone of the First Mosque in Gothenburg, Sweden

One of the most significant and historic events of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III’s trip to Sweden was the laying of the foundation stone for the first mosque in Gothenburg on September 27, 1975. During a prayerful ceremony, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III laid the foundation stone of Sweden’s first mosque, the Nasir Mosque. This event marked a milestone as it was the first mosque in Europe for which the foundation stone was laid by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh). With the construction of this mosque, the number of Ahmadiyya mosques in Europe increased to seven.5

The event was attended by many Ahmadis from across Europe, as well as some prominent local personalities. Representatives of the local press were also present, and the photos and proceedings of the event were prominently featured in Swedish newspapers. Swedish radio widely broadcast the news of this significant occasion. The following day, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) honoured the local Yugoslavian members with a meeting at the mission house. Influenced by the powerful words of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh), 14 individuals took Bait and entered the Ahmadiyya community.

On September 29, 1975, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) departed from Sweden, concluding his visit to the country. Following his departure from Sweden, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) travelled to Oslo, Norway, where His Holiness continued his mission.6

Departure from Norway and Arrival in Denmark

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) departed from Oslo on October 1, 1975, after blessing the Norway Jamaat with the opportunity to see and meet their beloved Imam, and arrived in Denmark on October 2, 1975, where His Holiness was warmly welcomed by the members of the Jamaa.

The following day, on October 3, 1975, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) delivered the Friday sermon and led the Friday prayer at the Nusrat Jahan Mosque in Copenhagen, Denmark. This mosque holds great significance as it is the first mosque established in Denmark, initially inaugurated on July 21, 1967. For the Ahmadi Muslims of Denmark, it was a great sight to see their beloved Imam return to the Mosque that He himself had inaugurated and offer prayers in it.

Return to England and finally, Pakistan

After departing from Denmark, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) travelled to England and from October 15 to October 26, 1975, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) stayed in London, where His Holiness spent even more time blessing the London Jamaat with the opportunity of meeting Him.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III leaves for Pakistan on October 26, 1975 after a stay of more than two months.7

On October 29, 1975, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) returned to Rabwah, Pakistan, concluding this significant visit to Europe.

  1. Al Fazl, August 6, 1975 ↩︎
  2. Al Fazl, August 20, 1975 ↩︎
  3. Al Fazl, October 18, 1975 ↩︎
  4. Al Fazl, October 4, 1975 ↩︎
  5. Al Fazl, October 20, 1975 ↩︎
  6. Al Fazl, October 23, 1975 ↩︎
  7. The Muslim Herald, November, 1975, Page 4 ↩︎

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