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The Ahmadiyya Muslim Neighborhood was based by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) within the distant village of Qadian in 1889. It was destined to achieve all corners of the earth as was foretold by Allah: “I shall trigger thy message to achieve the corners of the earth”. Considered one of these locations was the West African nation of Ghana.
From its humble inception in 1921, the Ahmadiyya Neighborhood in Ghana has seen outstanding progress, from rising membership to its contribution to schooling, well being, peace efforts and humanitarian initiatives within the nation. As we commemorate a century of progress, it turns into crucial to replicate on historical past; the tales of the selfless pioneer Ahmadis who planted the seeds of religion, and thru a number of sacrifices and unwavering dedication laid the inspiration of the Ahmadiyya Neighborhood in Ghana.
The historical past of Ahmadiyya in Ghana dates again to 1885, when a Methodist catechist priest Benjamin Sam from Egyaa transformed to Islam and altered his identify to “Binyameen Sam”. He subsequently persuaded Chief (Mahdi) Adoagyir Appah, a member of the royal household of Ekumfi Attakwa, to just accept the teachings of Islam. Collaboratively, they unfold the message of their newfound religion to their acquaintances and family members.
Because the congregation elevated, their need to study and practise their newfound faith heightened. They travelled from far locations to the residence of Binyameen Sam to wish and study concerning the teachings of Islam. Nevertheless, the difficult nature of their journeys impelled them to take a unanimous determination emigrate from their numerous settlements and converge at a brand new settlement which turned referred to as ‘Kurow fofor’ (i.e. “new city”), later named Ekrawfo. Binyameen Sam continued to guide the newly shaped Muslim group till his demise in 1915, when the mantle of management handed on to Chief Mahdi Appah.
Their fervent need to deepen their understanding of Islam led them to find the existence of “Indian Muslims”, i.e. members of the Ahmadiyya Motion, who might help them with deeper insights into their religion. The event was subsequent to Opanyin Yusuf Nyarko’s dream, the place he noticed the Fante Muslims in congregational salat with some “white Muslims”. This incidence undeniably introduced a fulfilment of Allah’s promise to the Promised Messiah (as):
“Folks upon whose hearts I shall convey my revelation will allow you to” [1]
Subsequently, they penned a letter to Qadian, resulting in the dispatch of a missionary, Maulvi Abdul Rahim Nayyar, to the Gold Coast.
Impressed by the sacrifices of the companions of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and Promised Messiah (as), they supported the voyage of the missionary by making a beneficiant monetary sacrifice of £300, a 3rd of which was derived from the sale of the proceeds of Chief Mahdi Appah’s cocoa farm. This quantity is roughly equal to £16,535.28 in buying energy at this time.
Maulvi Nayyar arrived in Saltpond, Gold Coast on the 28th of February 1921, the place he stayed for a number of days. Six devoted males from their small group, accompanied by Haleema Adjoa Nyansewa (daughter of Chief Mahdi Appah), carried the brand new missionary on a hammock from Saltpond to their settlement in Ekumfi Ekrawfo, roughly 20 miles street distance at this time however most likely a for much longer and harder path to ply in these days. Upon his arrival on March 3, Maulvi Nayyar convened a gathering with the Fante Muslims, the place he knowledgeable them concerning the Ahmadiyya motion in Islam. On Friday March 11, the Fante Muslims took bai’at (oath of allegiance) and formally joined the fold of the Imam Mahdi (as). The brand new Ahmadis continued to make sacrifices to make sure the sustenance of Maulvi Nayyar and the succeeding missionaries deployed to the Gold Coast.
The brand new Ahmadiyya Neighborhood constructed a small mosque which was later redesigned and expanded (1950 – 1952) at a value of £5,000. This turned the primary Ahmadi Mosque within the Gold Coast. In addition they established the Ekrawfo Ahmadiyya Cemetery, which is believed to be the primary Muslim cemetery within the Fanteland, at the moment the memorial Ahmadiyya Muslim Cemetery for Ghana.[2]
Binyameen Easah Keelson, a nephew of Chief Mahdi Appah was a notable pioneer Ahmadi who performed a big function within the success of Maulvi Nayyar. Previous to his conversion, he was a profitable clerk for a British agency. Nevertheless, he stop his job and devoted himself to the Jama’at. Binyameen served as the primary interpreter to the missionary, then as the primary Basic Secretary in 1922, and at last as the primary President, assuming administrative authority of the Ahmadiyya Neighborhood within the Gold Coast. He’s additionally credited with the institution of Ahmadiyya in Akim Oda, Jap Area.
One other stalwart pioneer Ahmadi, Jamal S. Johnston, relinquished his job as a supervisor of a British retailer upon embracing Ahmadiyya and labored for the Jama’at. He devoted himself to preaching the message of Islam Ahmadiyya to a number of Christian elites, a lot of whom he satisfied to hitch the group. He additionally served because the supervisor of the faculties which have been later established by the Jama’at and succeeded Binyameen Easah Keelson as Basic Secretary in 1937.[3]
Haleema Adjoa Nyansewa and Aleesah Esi Esuon (spouse of Binyameen Easah Keelson) have been amongst the few girls who have been instrumental within the nascent days of the Ahmadiyya group. They have been concerned in Tabligh actions and have been actively engaged in organising the feminine members of the Jama’at.[2]
Mallam Bin Salih of Wala origin, accepted Ahmadiyya by the hands of Maulvi Ali (third missionary deployed to the Gold Coast) and transformed the Wala migrant group in Amumso, within the Ashanti Area, the place he lived. He subsequently travelled to Wa within the Higher West area, to propagate the message of the Promised Messiah (as). His household and different early converts have been persecuted in a bloody battle. Nonetheless, they persevered and established an Ahmadiyya Neighborhood in Wa. In addition they succeeded in spreading Ahmadiyya to the Northeastern territories.
Different essential pioneer Ahmadis embody Nana Sadiq; credited with the institution of Ahmadiyya within the Ashanti area, D.A Mahama and M.A Ishaque; who have been instrumental in establishing Ahmadiyya in Tamale and its outskirts.[3]
By the grace of Allah, these early Ahmadis wielded the highly effective weapons of unwavering religion, selflessness and spirituality. Their dedication and dedication may be in comparison with the zeal and devotion exhibited by the companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the course of the early days of Islam. They have been steadfast and relentless regardless of the adversities they confronted; their resilience laid the inspiration for the thriving group we now have at this time.
A century of progress for Ghana’s Jama’at is greater than sufficient to reveal the promise of Allah within the Holy Quran, “or dost thou ask of them any reward? However the reward of thy Lord is greatest; and he’s the Better of suppliers” (23:73)
Concerning the writer: Mateenah Aba Yamoah Keelson is scholar on the College of Ghana, pursuing a bachelor’s diploma in Geography and Linguistics.
Endnotes
[1] Tadhkirah (third Version), pg. 498.
[2] Keelson, H. (2003). Early Historical past of Ahmadiyya in Ghana.
[3] Hanson, J.H. (2017). The Ahmadiyya in The Gold Coast: Muslim Cosmopolitans within the British Empire. Bloomington, Indiana: Indiana College Press.
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