The Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement Blog

Lord Headley’s visit to India, December 1927 – January 1928

I am reproducing below some items from The Light, the English organ of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Anjuman, from December 1927 and January 1928 relating to Lord Headley's visit to India.

“Al-Hajj Lord Headley Al-Faruq, President-elect of the ensuing All India Tabligh Conference, is expected to disembark in Bombay on the 16th instant. He is expected to attend the Annual Conference of the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam, Lahore.” (The Light, 8 December 1927)

“The Rt. Hon’ble Al-Haj Lord Headley Al-Farooq, President-elect of the ensuing Tabligh Conference to be held in Delhi, has landed in Bombay on the 16th instant. He was given a reception befitting his position by Muslims. He will reach Delhi on the 24th and will come to Lahore on the 28th morning to preside over the annual gathering of the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam.” (The Light, 22 December 1927)

“We are glad to note that the Rt. Hon’ble Al-Haj Lord Headley Al-Farooq, the famous British Muslim peer, landed in Bombay on the 16th instant. It is a well-known fact that Lord Headley, who is a member of the white aristocracy of Britain, unlike most white people, does not entertain any colour-prejudice and deems himself equal to his Muslim brethren all over the world. Although he is now not in his youthful vigour, his energy and earnestness in the work of propagating Islam do not fail to keep pace with those of any Muslim; and he has already given clear proof of the fact. Born and bred in cold climate, he took a voyage to perform the pilgrimage to an arid land like Arabia in its hottest season. Again, not a very long time ago, he accompanied the Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din to South Africa carrying the mission of Islam. And now that the Muslims of India needed his noble services of presiding over the All India Tabligh Conference to be held in Delhi, he could not refuse their invitation on the plea of old age and has taken the trouble of travelling all the way from England. After the Tabligh Conference of Delhi he will preside over the Fourteenth Annual Conference of the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam at Lahore where an address of welcome will be presented to him and where he will be led in a procession. We hope the whole Muslim community will appreciate his valuable services and show their appreciation in practice.” (The Light, 22 December 1927)

“The All-India Tabligh Conference was held at Delhi for the first time on the 25th, 26th and 27th December 1927, under the presidentship of Al-Haj the Rt. Hon’ble Lord Headley Al-Farooq, under the auspices of the Central Jamiat Tablighul Islam, Amballa. Some important resolutions were passed.” (The Light, 5 January 1928)

(At this link you can read his address to this Tabligh Conference.)

“Al-Haj Lord Headley came over to Lahore on December 28, 1927, where he was received with tremendous ovation by Muslims and then he drove in a wonderful procession through the walled city and some parts of the new city. Most of the Lahore Muslims of distinction joined the procession. After four hours the huge gathering dispersed at about 1 p.m.” (The Light, 5 January 1928)

“On 28th December at 3-30 p.m. the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam, Lahore, began its Fourteenth Anniversary celebration which continued up to December 30. The first meeting was held in the Islamia College ground, Lahore, which was attended by a large number of people.

In opening the celebration Maulana Muhammad Ali, President of the Anjuman, proposed Lord Headley to preside over it. His proposal was supported by Sir Muhammad Shafi and seconded by Maulvi Zafar Ali Khan and Sir Muhammad Iqbal. After this an address of welcome was presented to his Lordship who gave a suitable reply to it. His Lordship delivered a portion of his presidential address in English, the rest being read in Urdu as a large part of the audience did not know English. His Lordship attended the meetings on the following two days also and made two short but interesting speeches in the course of which he thanked his Muslim brothers and sisters for their kindness to him and expressed his love for them.

Several lectures were delivered in the last two days’ meetings which were held in the mosque of the Ahmadiyya Buildings and attended by a large number of men and women. One of the speakers was Mr. Mohammad Fahmi, an Egyptian journalist, litterateur and poet of note, who is now on a scouting tour in India and who has become a member of the Anjuman.” (The Light, 5 January 1928; bolding is ours)

At this link you can read Lord Headley's address to the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam Lahore conference.