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H. H. The Aga KhanS VISIT TO THE U.S.A. (NOVEMBER 3 TO 11, 1986) - 1986-11-03

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Event - 1986-11-03
Date: 
Monday, 1986, November 3
Location: 

Mowlana Hazar Imam Shah Karim al-Husayni (a.s.) alongwith Her Highness Begum Saheba paid a visit to the Jamats in the United States of America from 3rd November to 11th November, 1986. Mowlana Hazar Imam blessed Jamats with his holy Deedar. The Jamats of the U.S.A. were distributed into four areas under four Regional Councils and were gathered in four major cities in their respective areas. The dates of Mowlana Hazar Imam's visits to the Jamats were as under:
(a) 3rd and 4th November, Los Angeles. (b) 5th and 6th November, Chicago. (c) 8th and 9th November, Houston. (d) 10th and 11th November, New York.

Following is the gist of the guidance given by Mowlana Hazar Imam to the Jamats in the U.S.A.

? ? First of all he gave his most affectionate loving blessings to all those present, to their families, to their Jamats and to all those who had come from other areas. ? ? ? ? He said that he was very happy that after the Silver Jubilee it was for the first time that he was able to see the Jamat solely with the purpose of meeting them and as he had told the leaders that from now on he will regularly pay visits to the Jamats in this part and in other parts of the world.

? ? He told the Jamat that they are the first generation of our Jamat in the U.S.A. They must have a clear vision of their future and should build it on a strong foundation. He gave them the following premises to build their future upon them soundly.

(a) First of all they should practice their faith regularly. In this society and in other societies this is the foundation of our Tariqa. Whether they are in the East or in the West, in the North or in the South, the practice of their faith is most important for their happiness and for the happiness of the Jamat.

(a) He urged the younger members of the Jamat to take the best education and improve their education throughout their life time. He asked them not to waste the opportunity of education, to get the best result, not to accept mediocrity and not to sacrifice their education to earn dollars.

(c) In the developed world Islam is being misrepresented. Those who come in contact with non-muslim must be getting disturbed. He urged the Jamat to be brave and tell the people what Islam really is. Islam teaches peace, unity, humility, kindness, help and generosity. Hold high these principles. Younger members of the Jamat must learn these principles. Don't let what is happening in some of the Islamic World be misrepresented. Give a correct representation by your practice. Let the society know about you.

(a) He advised the Jamat to maintain the fundamental principles and the unity of the Jamat, to help each other, to make the institutions stronger and to establish contacts in the years ahead with the Jamats of the less developed areas of the world. The Jamats in other parts of the world will need your help, advice and knowledge. Provide them to your brothers and sisters.

(a) He told the Jamat that we have our tradition and culture. Maintain them. Seek strength from your culture, from your tradition and from your language. Take the good things from this society and avoid the bad things. Use your wisdom and don't compromise your health and your future. Keep a balance between spiritual and worldly progress. Keep strong you moral foundations. Keep in mind our Tariqa. Strengthen the foundation of the family and keep the family united.

(a) He asked the Jamat to live prudently and cautiously in the years ahead, to live in the material world in such a way that they can build their future on strong foundation and to use the assets of their family wisely.

GUIDANCE TO THE STUDENTS:

During this visit Mowlana Hazar Imam also met the students of the Jamat and said that he himself wanted to meet the students of the Western Jamat so that he can tell them the things which are of fundamental importance to them and are necessary for their sound future and for their material and spiritual happiness.

. He said that our faith and principles are of integrity, truth, discipline, unity and generosity which are workable in every society.

. He urged them to take the best from the society, improve their education and not to accept mediocrity. They will inherit them to their children.

. He asked the students to integrate with the society but to avoid the things which are bad. Bad habits don't bring happiness. It is a matter of individual discipline. Maintain your integrity. Learn about your faith and practice accordingly. He prayed that they become his such spiritual children on whom he can be proud.

At the end of all the Farman Mowlana Hazar Imam gave his best blessings to the Jamat for Mushkil Asan, for the strength of faith, for spiritual and worldly happiness, to remain on Siratal Mustaqeem and for the fulfillment of all their wishes.

Source: Hidayat (March, 1987)


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