“Western powers have waged wars, in which countless defenceless women and girls have been killed or had their homes utterly decimated.  Their schools, universities and other centres of learning have been razed to the ground. Is that what the opponents of Islam mean by delivering rights to women and girls?”

“Never forget that you have been born with a grand purpose – to lead the world back to its Creator. If ignorant people allege that you are imprisoned by your faith, prove them wrong and show them just how powerful and strong you are!” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

On 25 April 2026, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, delivered the keynote address at the National Waqfat-e-Nau Ijtema UK held in the Masroor Hall at Islamabad, Tilford.

The Waqfat-e-Nau Ijtema brought together female members from across the United Kingdom for a day of learning and reflection. More than 1,700 attendees participated in the gathering.

Following the recitation of the Holy Qur’an, a Nazm (poem), and a brief report presented by the National Coordinator for Waqfat-e-Nau UK, His Holiness addressed the Waqfat-e-Nau with a faith inspiring address.

At the outset His Holiness poke about how the Waqf-e-Nau scheme was now inter-generational.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“With the Grace of Allah, nearly 40 years have passed since the Waqf-e-Nau scheme was launched, and many of you are now in your twenties or thirties and have become mothers to a new generation of Waqf-e-Nau children. As such, an even greater responsibility now rests on your shoulders.

As Waqfat-e-Nau, you must not only ensure that you are personally living up to your pledge and acting according to Islam’s teachings but, you must also ensure the moral and religious upbringing of your children. “

With regards to the moral training of Ahmadi Muslim children, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated:

“Whether you are already mothers or, God willing, become mothers in the future, remember that as Waqfat-e-Nau, you must continually strive to elevate your own spiritual and moral standards, while also nurturing and guiding your children so that they may become pious, excellent and beneficial members of society.

In this way, you will play your part in safeguarding the future prosperity of our Jamaat, by ensuring that coming generations remain firmly attached to their faith.

Certainly, if Ahmadi parents do not collectively instil a deep sense of morality and faith within their children, our progress will falter.”

His Holiness said that a great favour of Allah had been bestowed upon those present, as most had grown up in this country and received a high standard of education, with many attaining a higher level of education than their mothers or grandmothers. His Holiness said that such blessings also carry a profound responsibility to enlighten and guide the next generation.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“You must empower them [the next generation] to navigate the complex challenges they face in this society, whilst remaining firmly anchored to Islamic principles. It must never be that due to the lack of moral training or guidance, our future generations deviate from the beautiful and timeless teachings of Islam.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“Sadly, many mothers write to me expressing their heartbreak that, as their children pass through adolescence, they begin to drift away from their faith and fail to maintain a close bond with the Jamaat. So, keeping your children attached to their faith is your primary responsibility.  For this, you must ensure that your own bond with Allah the Almighty is unshakeable.”

His Holiness then urged the attendees, as well as Ahmadi Muslims listening around the world, to continually seek religious knowledge, stating that it is fundamental to safeguarding their own faith and that of future generations.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Such [religious] knowledge shall empower you to enlighten the wider world of Islam’s true teachings.  Do not imagine that Tabligh [preaching] is a duty reserved only for men. Rather, Ahmadi women have an indispensable and crucial role to play.  Islamic history testifies to the fact that, from the very beginning, Muslim women made monumental sacrifices for their faith. In this regard, the example of Hazrat Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) is often presented as the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) declared that half of faith could be learned from her.  Consequently, many companions, including men, sat as her students to learn about Islam. Thus, for the sake of spreading Islam’s teachings and to dispel misconceptions, sometimes Ahmadi women are required to take part in public events and speak before men.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“When required, certain Ahmadi ladies have taken part in media programmes and interviews. Therefore, as Waqifat, you must relentlessly strive to increase your religious knowledge, so that, armed with truth, you can refute the baseless allegations made against Islam, especially the malicious claim that it denies women their due rights.

With firm conviction, you shall be the ones who attest to the fact that Islam established true equality and granted women their rights many centuries before the modern world even recognised them to a limited degree. You shall be the ones who proudly stand at the vanguard defending Islam and illuminating mankind of its noble teachings.”

His Holiness then spoke of the efforts of Ahmadi women who are defending their faith in the media and conveying the true message of Islam with remarkable skill and distinction.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“I have observed how Ahmadi women here in the UK, Germany and other countries have been able to present Islam’s true message in a media setting with exceptional proficiency. The power of their words, their eloquence and dignity have shone so brightly that the critics of Islam, who falsely claim it oppresses women, are left silenced and frustrated.

Hence, whilst observing Purdah, Ahmadi women can engage with the media in order to present Islam’s true teachings and to refute the false allegations levelled against it. This is not something new, nor does it contravene Islam’s teachings in any way.”

His Holiness reiterated the exemplary dedication of Hazrat Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). His Holiness described her as someone who is a great role model for Ahmadi Muslim women, and that she possessed superior understanding of the teachings of Islam which far surpassed the knowledge of many men of the time.

His Holiness then spoke of the hypocrisy of certain Western powers, which seek to defame Islam by portraying it as a religion that denies equality to women.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“In recent times, the whole world has seen how, under the guise of ‘freedom’, certain Western powers have waged wars, in which countless defenceless women and girls have been killed or had their homes utterly decimated.  Their schools, universities and other centres of learning have been razed to the ground. Is that what the opponents of Islam mean by delivering rights to women and girls?

Indeed, it was because women in these Western countries were not afforded their due rights that, over the past century, they were forced to take matters into their own hands. Thus, women’s rights movements arose throughout the Western world, as women desperately sought to secure the basic rights long denied to them.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“As their religious texts had not defined or stipulated the rights of women, they were compelled to fight for the very freedom and equality that Islam had bestowed upon women over fourteen hundred years ago.

From the outset, Islam unequivocally enshrined the principle of equality between men and women.”

Thereafter, His Holiness emphasised that Allah the Almighty has assigned specific duties and roles for men and for women according to human nature. Yet, Allah the Almighty has ensured that the rights of men and women remain equal and fair.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“In Islamic teaching, gender confers no superiority. Rather, true distinction is born only out of the nobility of one’s character and the righteousness of their conduct.

In terms of equality, Islam goes into quite astonishing detail. For example, the Holy Quran teaches that weaning a child is a mutual decision between husband and wife.  It is not permitted for a husband or his family to dictate or order his wife in this regard.

Similarly, as a means of security, and in order to preserve the dignity and honour of a woman, Islam has stipulated the Haq Mehr [dowry] as a woman’s fundamental right that must be agreed upon prior to marriage.”

His Holiness then noted that some allege that Islam seeks to confine women to the home, and that this allegation is baseless and utterly false.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“There are many professions that Allah the Almighty permits Muslim women to pursue, provided they continue to observe Purdah.

Thus, as Waqfat-e-Nau, it is now your mission to enlighten mankind about these beautiful teachings of Islam and to correct those who, either in ignorance or out of malice, misrepresent it…

There are many Ahmadi women, including from amongst the Waqfat-e-Nau, who are working professionally as doctors, teachers, lawyers, engineers and in other various professions.”

In order to fulfil this mission, His Holiness said that Waqfat-e-Nau must immerse themselves in the study of the Holy Qur’an, and recite it every day and carefully study its translation and commentaries.

His Holiness also stated that whilst attaining a high level of education is a blessing, one must not become so immersed in studies or careers that it distances them from the practice of their faith.

“So, alongside your work or studies, you must set aside time every day to increase your religious knowledge. Only then will you be a Waqf-e-Nau in spirit and deed. Only then will you be truly aware of the teachings of your faith and be able to practice it and instil it within your children and guide others.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad then spoke about domestic trials or problem which sometimes may arise within families. For example, a husband fails to fulfil his duties or his conduct is not as it ought to be.

Advising the attendees, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Wherever possible, whilst giving precedence to their faith over worldly matters, wives and mothers should strive to resolve such issues amicably, whilst exhibiting patience and trust in Allah. Always seek to protect your family unit, especially your children, and ensure nothing stands in the way of their moral training and well-being. If your husband fails to fulfil his parental duties, you should seek to bridge that gap by striving even harder to guide and care for them.”

Similarly, His Holiness then advised that Ahmadi women, and especially Waqfat-e-Nau, should always display sincerity and humility.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Whenever you have the opportunity to do any duty or good deed, you should never be motivated by a desire to impress others or to gain their praise.  Instead, all your efforts should be governed by a pure desire to seek only the love and nearness of Allah the Almighty.”

Subsequently, His Holiness drew attention towards obligatory and voluntary prayers, noting that through their own spiritual reformation they would bequeath to future generations a lasting legacy of piety and noble morals. He also spoke of how Muslim women who observed Hijab were a means of support and confidence for others.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“If you set a positive example, you will be a source of confidence for others and a means of guiding them about the value of modesty. Never forget that you have been born with a grand purpose – to lead the world back to its Creator. If ignorant people allege that you are imprisoned by your faith, prove them wrong and show them just how powerful and strong you are!

Confidently, tell them that we are truly liberated and free from the shackles of materialism, injustice and vulgarity that imprison modern society.   So, if you are truly determined to fulfil your religious objectives, you, as Waqfat-e-Nau, are destined to lead the world, God willing. Never underestimate yourselves!”

His Holiness continued and said:

“Make every possible effort to ignite a spiritual and moral revolution that transforms the world into a haven of peace, love and prosperity. This is the Jihad of our time.”

Towards the conclusion of his address, His Holiness encouraged the attendees, especially the young girls, not to harbour any sense of inferiority or doubt regarding their religion, nor feel hesitant in practising the teachings of their faith openly in public or before the world.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Never allow the opinions of others to influence your beliefs or make you feel embarrassed about your religion. If you are ever teased or mocked for wearing modest clothing, do not let it shake your confidence. 

Tell such people that they can mock you all they like, but they will not weaken your beliefs or religious practice. Tell them you have a higher purpose, which is to stand against the world’s moral decline and to eradicate the gap that exists between much of the world and God Almighty. Instead of pulling you away from your faith, their taunts should inspire you to improve your morals and to gain more religious knowledge.

Be confident in yourselves and who you are. Always remember that true peace and contentment lie in the nearness of Allah the Almighty, and to attain this, you must fulfil His rights and those of humanity. If you act with such piety and goodness, you will become true beacons of light illuminating the path towards success and salvation, God willing.”

In the end, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad prayed:

“I pray that may Allah the Almighty bless you all and enable you to live up to the pledge you have made to your faith throughout your lives. May all of you be those whose noble and righteous qualities serve to reveal the truth and beauty of Islam for all the world to see. Ameen.”