After reciting Tashhahud, Ta’awwuz and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^(aba) said:

“With the Grace of the Almighty Allah, the Waqfaat-e-Nau Ijtema was held today and is reaching its conclusion. A good proportion of Waqfaat-e-Nau have reached an age where they are able to make their own decisions and choices in life. This is why I directed the Waqfe Nau department that the girls who are above the age of 15 should now decide for themselves whether or not they wish to continue with the pledge of Waqf that was made by their parents.

To be a member of Waqfe Nau is not merely a title one holds; rather it in fact entails a responsibility. Therefore, you should not be content simply by the fact that you have the honour of being in the fold of Waqfe Nau; instead you should try to understand the responsibilities upon you as a member of Waqfe Nau. You should be aware of the duties and tasks you are expected to perform and the behaviour and conduct you need to display. You should know the appropriate type of clothing to wear and what the standard of your Purdah should be. You should also be aware of the type of education you should attain and and secondly how that education can be utilised for the best interest of the Jama’at. If this is not the case then to simply hold the title of Waqfe Nau will hold no value.

There should be a clear distinction between a Waqfe Nau girl and a non-Waqfe Nau Ahmadi girl. The parents of normal Ahmadi girls do not pledge that they will sacrifice their child for the sake of their religion. A normal Ahmadi girl does not have to renew a bond that she will present herself for the sake of serving her religion, and that she will try to acquire education in a manner that will be best for the Jama’at – or in other words that she will acquire an education according to the Jama’at’s requirements. The Jama’at requires doctors, teachers, translators, journalists and also those skilled in a range of other fields suitable and appropriate for Ahmadi girls.

The Jama’at needs mothers who make sacrifices to carry out the Tarbiyyat and training of their children in such a manner that they become excellent and beneficial individuals for the Jama’at. Although every Ahmadi girl should realise this responsibility of excellent Tarbiyyat and training in order to become beneficial to the Jama’at, a Waqfe Nau girl has a far greater responsibility in this respect. You will not be able to develop this spirit and state until you strive to your utmost to lead your lives according to the teachings given to us by Allah the Almighty.

Thus, whilst girls are required to acquire secular education to become doctors, teachers, translators and also to enter various other fields – as I have said earlier – there is also an expectation alongside this of Waqfe Nau girls to attain the highest standard of religious education.

I often draw the attention of the women of the Jama’at in general that in order to properly take care of the future generations, Ahmadi women need to enhance their religious knowledge and know their Islamic traditions, so that through this, the future generations can remain attached to the Jama’at. Thus, it is clear to see just how far and wide-reaching the duty of a Waqfe Nau girl stretches.

Here in Europe, Allah the Almighty has given you the opportunity to acquire the highest standard of secular education – however there is also a threat alongside this of bad habits developing which may clash with Islamic morals. And so you need to protect yourselves from this danger. It is said by some that here in the European society it is very difficult to observe Purdah, to wear the Hijaab or cover one’s head, to adopt modest clothing or to not make friends with boys. They say that if we do all of this then students and children will tease and mock us in our college, school, or university.

First of all, every Ahmadi girl needs to dispel this feeling of apprehension that boys or girls in this society will make fun of them after seeing the modest clothes they wear, their Hijaab or the fact that they choose not to befriend boys. However, a Waqfe Nau girl should far exceed others in this standard and give even greater attention towards this, because it is they who must set the correct and proper Islamic examples for others. Islam does not forbid anyone from attaining an education. As I said before, the Jama’at has a great need for doctors, teachers, translators, language experts and also those trained in various other fields. Naturally this standard can only be acquired by attaining an education, however, when acquiring this education we would also have to uphold our moral standards and maintain our limits.

Certainly, Islam says that no Muslim man or woman should remain ignorant, rather they should indeed attain education. This is why the Holy Prophet^(sa) gave special attention and consideration to women’s education. Drawing attention to women’s education, the Holy Prophet^(sa) also said that half of the religion should be learnt from Ayesha. Here the Holy Prophet^(sa) has not stated for women alone to acquire this education, but rather he has given advice in general to attain knowledge of half of the religion from her. Hence, at times Hazrat Ayesha^(ra) would even take classes from behind a curtain and she would impart her knowledge and teachings at gatherings, which men would also attend. And so this makes it very clear that in the spread of knowledge Islam has not discriminated between men and women. And thus to acquire and convey knowledge is the obligation of every Muslim.

For a believing woman it is important to acquire wisdom, implement and convey it and to especially to use it for the training of her children. Indeed the Holy Prophet^(sa) said that you should train your children in the best possible manner. Further, the Holy Prophet^(sa) also said that wisdom is like the lost belonging of believer; wherever it is found he or she should grab hold of it. Hence our women and girls, and in particular the Waqfaat-e-Nau, should attain the highest standard of education and then they should strive to use that knowledge to give benefit to the world. It is also a favour of Allah on the Jama’at that, through the blessings of Khilafat, he established an organistaion for the training of women which gives them the opportunity to hold events and programmes freely and conveniently. These programmes are not only for training in religious education, but to also to improve physical health, to help serve humanity, as well for other activities.

Thus you, the Waqfaat-e-Nau, are also part of this organisation – in other words you are members of Lajna Ima’illah. Being Waqfaat-e-Nau does not mean that you are exempt from Lajna Ima’illah or Nasraat and are outside their fold. Lajna Ima’illah and Nasraat are fundamental organisations and so it is necessary to attend their events and functions. In fact, the Waqfaat-e-Nau should take part in the programmes of Lajna Ima’illah and Nasraat to an even greater degree than other normal Ahmadi girls, because you are those who have completely dedicated yourselves to for the service of the religion.

Hence, you should channel your thoughts by keeping the principle in mind that you will strive to perform your every task giving precedence to your faith over worldly matters. And when you adopt this mentality the thought can never emerge in your minds that due to the attitude of certain superior officer bearers, you wish to excuse yourself from any task or responsibility that you have been given.

Instead your way of thinking will be that whatever the attitude or behaviour of an office holder, as a Waqif-e-Zindagi, I will display complete obedience and uphold the spirit of my Waqf, utilising all my abilities and capabilities to serve my religion. You may feel certain office holders are dealing with you in an inappropriate manner or that they are not utilising you for work properly. However, this should never lead you to asking to take leave from a task or duty.

I also want to draw you attention to the fact that many of you have reached a mature age, are now married and with the blessings of Allah the Almighty have children, and at the same time you are also serving the Jama’at. But remember that your first and primary obligation is to give full care and attention to the Tarbiyyat and training of the children who are being brought up by you. However, alongside this you should also spare some time to serve the Jama’at, and to serve in any capacity of work given to you by the Jama’at.

Never let the thought emerge in your heart that our capabilities are not being utilised properly and we could have been given a better opportunity to serve. Irrespective of whether you are given a responsibility that is applicable to your education or not, you must serve the Jama’at to the best of your ability. You should always remember that the purpose of attaining education is to enlighten and illuminate your minds so that you carry out the training and upbringing of your children in a suitable and appropriate manner. It should never come into your mind that you must be given work which is relevant to your education. Rather service of the Jama’at with complete dedication must be your sole purpose. Indeed if you are given any responsibility which is applicable to your qualifications, then it will simply be a positive point that you are being given an opportunity to demonstrate your capabilities.

Thus today I will say briefly to the Waqfaat-e-Nau that by just gathering together for the Ijtema, taking part in the competitions or listening to speeches alone will not enable you to achieve your objectives. You will only achieve your aim and goal when you come to understand the true spirit of Waqf and use all of your capabilities entirely for the sake of serving Jama’at Ahmadiyya.

Your Waqf will only prove to be of benefit when those of you who are married carry out the Tarbiyyat and training of your children in an excellent manner. Your Waqf will be beneficial only when you carry out even the smallest tasks and duties you are given with utmost satisfaction and happiness. Your Waqf will be of use only when your attire and clothing is according to the true Islamic dress code. Your Waqf will bear fruit only when you read and understand the Promised Messiah’s^(as) teachings and then make it a part of your lives. Your Waqf will be beneficial only when you try to lead your lives according to the Qur’an and the Sunnah (Practice of the Holy Prophet^(sa)). And your Waqf will be truly beneficial when you establish a living connection with Allah the Almighty.

Thus, search for the commandments of Allah the Almighty strive to act upon them at all times. Always safeguard and protect your prayers. You should form your outer appearance and state in accordance to the teachings of Islam. Fashion and new types of clothing should not be your aim, but rather you should follow the command of Allah to adopt the real type of covering, which is Libaas-e-Taqwah. If you keep yourself covered with the garb of Taqwah (righteousness) then you will constantly be trying to attain the pleasure of Allah. And when your objective will be purely to win God’s pleasure, you will act exactly in the way Allah the Almighty has commanded. The world will not be your goal, but rather your faith and religion will hold greatest importance for you. Once you adopt Libaas-e-Taqwah in this Western society, you will not be disturbed or upset when people poke fun at you and say ‘look at that girl wearing Hijab or observing Purdah and wearing modest attire.’ Instead you will always keep the commands of Allah in view and you will feel proud that you are adopting the Libaas-e-Taqwah.

In this same way the younger girls should also remember that from childhood they should start to form habits and develop their conduct in a way which can guide you in your lives. You should constantly try to reform yourself according to the teachings of Islam to enable you to maintain your faith and religion. Thus, never miss saying your prayers. Always give attention towards your education. And instead of chasing after the latest fashion in clothes, you should show greater concern for whether your clothing is suitable and modest. It is wrong to think that up to the ages of five, or six or seven, it is fine for a child to wear frocks, dresses or purely European style clothing such as short blouses or jeans. In fact you would have to develop the habit from an even earlier age of wearing clothes which covers your body appropriately. Thus, you should develop modesty within yourselves.

In your friendships you should be mindful to not befriend people who take you away from your religion; instead you should befriend those who are decent and sincere rather than those who are immodest and shameless.

You need to give full attention to your education. You should try to listen to your parents when they advise and train you with reference to the religious teachings and the traditions of the Jama’at.

And remember, that if any question arises in your mind, then without any hesitation, you should write to me.

May Allah the Almighty enable all of you to become proper Waqfaat-e-Nau and to become excellent and beneficial members of the Jama’at. Ameen.”