Lajna Ima’illah is an auxiliary, non-political and religious organisation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. It is for women above the age of 15. The organization was established by Hadhrat Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad ra, the second Caliph of the community.
This auxiliary organisation of Ahmadiyya Muslim community provides women a structure to train, develop, and enhance their religious and academic knowledge, acquire health and fitness skills, manage trade and industry affairs and develop their financial abilities.
The aim of Lajna Ima’illah (literally translated as maids of Allah) is to raise awareness amongst women of their important status and their great responsibilities in the religious organisation, while focussing on their duties towards mankind as well as their contributions to the society in which they live and raise the future generation.
About Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Ireland
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, fast growing international revival movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, it spans over 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Its current headquarters are in the United Kingdom.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long-awaited Messiah has come in the person of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas (1835-1908) of Qadian. Hadhrat Ahmadas claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesusas of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Hadhrat Muhammadsaw.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believes that God sent Hadhrat Ahmad (as), like Jesusas, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Hadhrat Ahmad (as) advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival.
He divested Islam of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings. He also recognized the noble teachings of the great religious founders and saints, including Zoroasteras, Abrahamas, Mosesas ,Jesusas, Krishnaas, Buddhaas, Confuciusas, Lao Tzu and Guru Nanak, and explained how such teachings converged into the one true Islam.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the leading Islamic organization to categorically reject terrorism in any form. Over a century ago, Hadhrat Ahmad (as) emphatically declared that an aggressive “jihad by the sword” has no place in Islam. In its place, he taught his followers to wage a bloodless, intellectual “Jihad of the Pen” to defend Islam.
Hadhrat Ahmad (as) penned over 80 books and tens of thousands of letters, delivered hundreds of lectures, and engaged in scores of public debates. His rigorous and rational defenses of Islam unsettled conventional Muslim thinking. As part of its effort to revive Islam, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues to spread Hadhrat Ahmad (as) teachings of moderation and restraint in the face of bitter opposition from parts of the Muslim world.
Similarly, it is the only Islamic organization to endorse a separation of mosque and state. Over a century ago, Hadhrat Ahmad (as) taught his followers to protect the sanctity of both religion and government by becoming righteous souls as well as loyal citizens.
He cautioned against irrational interpretations of Qur’anic pronouncements and misapplications of Islamic law. He continually voiced his concerns over protecting the rights of God’s creatures. Today, it continues to be an advocate for universal human rights and protections for religious and other minorities. It champions the empowerment and education of women.
Its members are among the most law-abiding, educated, and engaged Muslims in the world.
Central Spiritual Leader (Caliph)
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the foremost Islamic organization with a central spiritual leader. Over a century ago, Hadhrat Ahmad (as) reminded his followers of God’s promise to safeguard the message of Islam through Khilafat (the spiritual institution of successorship to prophethood). It believes that only spiritual successorship can uphold the true values of Islam and unite humanity.
Five spiritual leaders have succeeded Hadhrat Ahmad (as) since his demise in 1908. It’s fifth and current spiritual head, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah strengthen his hand), resides in the United Kingdom.
Under the leadership of its spiritual successors, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has now built over 15,000 mosques, over 500 schools, and over 30 hospitals. It has translated the Holy Qur’an into over 70 languages. It propagates the true teachings of Islam and the message of peace and tolerance through a twenty-four hour satellite television channel on Sky Channel No. 731 (MTA), the Internet Al Islam and print (Islam International Publications). It has been at the forefront of worldwide disaster relief through an independent charitable organization, Humanity First.
Irish Chapter
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community members started to come to the shores of the State in early 1970s. Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Ireland got formally registered in Ireland in 1992. The community’s 1st Imam is Ibrahim Ahmad Noonan of Irish descent and is based in Galway. Members of the community living in all parts of the country are divided into 4 regions: East, West, South West and Midland.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Ireland has 2 centres. Head office in Galway City, where the very first purpose-built mosque has been built, named Masjid Maryam (Arabic) or Mary Mosque (English). The second centre, known as Mission House, is in Lucan, Dublin.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community works hard in promoting true peaceful teachings of Islam through various interfaith peace works and conferences organised every year in Dublin and Galway. The members also actively integrate into the Irish society through local coffee mornings, participating in various community activities, volunteer works, donating to various Irish charities, visiting Old Nursing Homes, Hospice centres, Women Refuge centres, etc throughout the year.