Library Personalities
Sheikh Mubarak Ahmad (born October 10, 1910 at Shujabad, District Multan, Pakistan), graduated with Honors in Arabic from the University of Punjab in 1931, and completed his religious studies and training as Missionary in 1933 at the Ahmadiyya Seminary, Qadian, India. From 1934 to 1962, he served as Missionary-in-Charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim missions in East Africa, and established Ahmadiyya Muslim outreach centers in Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. During this period, Ahmadiyya mosques were constructed in several East African cities. He translated several Islamic religious books in Swahili; his most memorable achievement being the translation of the Holy Quran and commentary in that language.
From 1962 to 1979, he served in various administrative capacities at the Ahmadiyya Jamaat’s International Headquarters at Rabwah, Pakistan. His assignments included the offices of Nazir Islaho-Irshad, Secretary of Fazal-e-Umar Foundation and Secretary Hadiqatul Mubasherin. From 1979 to 1983, he served as Amir and the Missionary-in-Charge of the United Kingdom Ahmadiyya Jamaat where he established eleven new Ahmadiyya Muslim Missions in various counties. In November of 1983, he came to Washington, D.C. , as the Amir and Missionary-in- Charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in the United States and served in this capacity until his retirement in 1991. Several new Mosques, Ahmadiyya Centers and other properties were added to the branches of Ahmadiyya Muslim communities in various cities.
Sheikh Mubarak Ahmad was a noted author and lecturer. After retiring from the active duties of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, he continued to engage himself in valuable literary work. He translated Riyadh-as-Salihin (a book of Ahadith) and The Words of Wisdom And Purification in Swahili.
Sheikh Mubarak Ahmad passed away in 2001. May Allah bless his soul.
Selected English books by Sheikh Mubarak Ahmad