“True integration means serving your country. If you are doing that, then you are fulfilling your duty.” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

On 11 October 2025, the National Amila (Executive) of Lajna Imaillah Ireland had the honour of a meeting with the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.

During the meeting, members of the Lajna Executive had the opportunity to seek the guidance of His Holiness on a wide range of religious, moral, and administrative matters, as well as issues affecting women in contemporary society.

Lajna Imaillah, the women’s auxiliary organisation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, was established to empower women and to enable them to play an active role in the service of their faith and communities.

At the beginning of the meeting, the President of Lajna Imaillah Ireland requested His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, to assign a central theme for Lajna Imaillah Ireland to focus on in the coming year.

In response, His Holiness very graciously set the theme as “Modesty is a part of faith,” – a saying of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). His Holiness advised that Lajna members should use this theme to educate others about the true concept of modesty in Islam.

One attendee asked His Holiness about the growing wave of anti-Islamic sentiment in the West, noting that Muslims are often accused of failing to integrate into wider society, while at the same time blaming the West for discrimination. The attendee also mentioned that at times, some Muslims themselves can appear rigid or distant in their interactions.

In response, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“If the fault lies with us (Muslims), then we must admit to it and strive to integrate. I always say that we should not isolate ourselves from society. We should become fully involved in their activities. Lajna members should interact with other women, hold seminars, invite them to events, and arrange peace conferences […] so that people in your area become acquainted with you. This is how to truly convey the message. However, integration does not mean that you should start sitting in clubs. Integration means building relationships with your neighbours – and you must do so. […] If we fail to do this, then the people who criticise us are right.”

Whilst speaking about loyalty to one’s nation, His Holiness stated:

“When our Community speaks of loyalty and encourages it, then that loyalty must be demonstrated through our actions. We serve our country – as doctors, teachers, engineers, or in any other field of service. Some even serve in the army. This is the true meaning of integration.

“Integration does not mean that you abandon your Islamic identity, remove your hijab, […] or adopt immodest clothing. True integration means serving your country. If you are doing that, then you are fulfilling your duty.”

His Holiness continued:

“Certainly, we are serving our nation and we are loyal to it. Moreover, what is loyalty? Loyalty means that we do not speak against our country, and that we strive for its success and progress.

“You (Lajna Imaillah) already make this pledge – that you will work for the betterment of your country. Every auxiliary organisation of the Community makes this pledge.”

One member asked His Holiness for guidance regarding those members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community who hold official positions and may claim to act as representatives of the Caliph. The attendee sought His Holiness’ advice on how such office bearers should conduct themselves.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated:

“They are representatives [of the Caliph), but not in an absolute sense … Rather, they are representatives in the sense that they convey information, communicate the instructions of the Caliph of the time – and seek their implementation among the members and act upon them themselves. That is what representation means. It does not mean that by being a representative, one becomes a deputy to the Caliph or is free to do whatever one pleases. This is entirely wrong.”

His Holiness continued:

“Allah Almighty said to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the Holy Qur’an that he should consult with his people and not deal with them harshly, for if he did so, they would turn away. Thus, consult them, analyse their counsel, and then make your decision – but always treat them with gentleness and love.

“When Allah the Almighty instructed the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in this way, then who among us can think we are exempt from acting upon it? Any office bearer who fails to do so is wrong. This attitude stems from arrogance. Those who are arrogant must remove such pride from their hearts.”

Towards the end of the meeting, one attendee sought guidance from His Holiness regarding those members who express a strong desire to serve the Community, yet feel they lack the ability or capacity to hold an office. In response, His Holiness stated:

“It is a very good thing if someone feels that they are not capable enough to carry out a task. A person should not seek or desire an office for themselves. However, once a responsibility is entrusted to them, they must fulfil it. There should always be meekness, humbleness and humility – these are very good qualities.

“The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade those who put themselves forward for a position […] However, if the Community assigns a duty, then one should serve with their full abilities and dedication.”

His Holiness also quoted a couplet written by Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad, the Second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (May Allah be pleased with him), in which he stated: “Consider the service of faith to be a divine blessing.” His Holiness explained that those entrusted with a duty should remember this principle and let it inspire them to discharge their responsibilities with sincerity and dedication.