Trip Report
Click here for pictures.
The annual Foreign Trip of Majlis Ansarullah Nederland for the year 2016 was organized form October 5th to October 9th 2016, and 12 people joined this visit including 10 Ansar and 2 Khuddam. The group travelled together in 3 cars.
Allah blessed the trip with fine weather and the trip included covered three countries including Germany, Denmark and Sweden. Naseer Ahmad Tahir sahib, Naib Sadr Awal was nominated as “Ameer Kafila” by Sadr Majlis in his absence.
Preparations
This year during the annual Ijtema of Majlis Ansarullah a survey was conducted about a foreign trip, in which many Ansar brothers demonstrated a keen interest in making a visit to Scandinavian countries, after the approval of Majlis Amila and Sadr sahib Majlis Ansarullah Nederland a letter was written to Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih for prayers, Huzur granted permission for this visit.
In regard to this travel three cars were rented and some refreshment and on way items were purchased, in coordination with Amir sahib Germany, Denmark and Sweden all logistic and matter related to accommodation were accomplished. An informative folder was also prepared with regards to this visit.
First day
On 5th October, the first day of travel all Ansar from different cities of Nederland assembled at 0800 hours upon a decided meeting point of Deventer. After light refreshments, the team was briefed and the purpose of this visit was detailed and members were requested for cooperation by the Amir Kafila, after which the journey commenced with silent prayers.
The group left Deventer at 0840 for Hamburg and arrived at destination at 1300, the Bait ur Rasheed Hamburg, after Zuhr and Asar and lunch the group left for visiting the city, local Jama’at assisted the group by volunteering a guide for the city tour, first city center was visited which is located around to a beautiful lake, walking between the middle of city the group reached the river, it was a beautiful scene with a great number of tourists. All Ansar appreciated this tourist point because of its nature and beauty.
After enjoying this beautiful creation of Allah, the group walked back in the city and to an ice cream parlor, which is owned by an Ahmadi friend, this friend served us with great hospitality and the one of the most delicious ice creams. After which the group walked towards Ahmadiyya Mosque “Nusrat Jehan” Mosque, this was the first built mosque in Hamburg, here the Maghrib and Isha prayers were performed and which the group walk back to “Bait-ur-Rasheed” Hamburg as the overnight stay arrangements were made available here by local Jama’at.
Second day
Thursday the 6th October after breakfast the group left “Bait ur Rasheed” Hamburg for Copenhagen. During this phase of travel the group stops at two points and reached the town of Odense, after which we travelled past the “Big Bridge” which is approximately 18 kilometers long, after travelling across beautiful scenery and green countryside we reached Masjid “Nusrat Jehan” Copenhagen, respected Amir sahib Denmark greeted the group upon arrival at Masjid “Nusrat Jehan” after prayers and enjoying a very delicious meal. Amir sahib guided us on a tour of the Mission house, MashAllah it’s a beautifully made and managed Mission house.
After this, the group left for the visit of city, various parts were included in this city tour the group also have a walk on the river side which is beautiful place, group also visited the Palace of the Queen of Denmark and witness the “change of guard ceremony”.
After dinner, the group begin its travel towards the Swedish city of Malmo and reached there at around 2200 as per the scheduled program. The group stayed a night at the location.
Third day
The third day was Friday, and after prayers an d breakfast we left for sightseeing Malmo city center. Malmo is situated alongside the sea and is not a big city. There are wide roads with fewer people and many beautiful parks. First of all we visited a place known as Luftkastellet , which is a high plain beside the sea beach, one can witness the city of Copenhagen-Denmark clearly, also the “Big Bridge” which joins Denmark and Sweden over the sea is also very clearly visible from this point.
After visiting various parts of the city, the group arrived at Masjid “Nusrat Jehan” after lunch Friday prayers were performed, the group left for the city center again and arrive at the Turning Torso, a very unique and the highest building of Malmo city. Near this building lies a beautiful stretch of beach, the group took a walk on the stretch and praise Allah for His creation.
Fourth day
Saturday, October 8th was the fourth day of this five day foreign tour of Majlis Ansarullah Nederland and the group started its return journey. After breakfast at 0800 hours Missionary sahib led the group in silent prayers, after which a photo session took place.
The distance between Malmo and Copenhagen is approximately 50 kilometers and there is sea between the two countries. To join both countries there is big bridge built and in way is also a tunnel. Bridge is made in a fashion that there is a train track in the middle of motor vehicle tracks, while crossing the bridge one can witness Copenhagen on one end and Malmo city on the other end. On the day of our crossing this bridge it was a beautiful weather and all members of group enjoyed this crossing.
About 1000 the group arrived in Copenhagen, first we departed to view a museum with an exhibition of “Islamic Art” in this museum has a big collection of Islamic history. Visiting numerous parts of the city we reached the mission house for the Zohar and Asr prayers. After the prayers Amir sahib Denmark had organized a lunch in honor of the group in a restaurant. After lunch Amir sahib offer the group with some recommendations and instructions under the teachings of Islam and Ahmadiyyat.
Amir sahib lead the group in silent prayer after which the group started its travel to Hamburg- Germany at about 1600 and with mercy Allah (SWT) the group reaches safely at mission house Hamburg at 2100 hours, our overnight facilities were arranged here by the Jama’at Ahmadiyya Germany.
Fifth day
The group started its last leg of journey back to Nederland at 0900 hours. After a travel of approximately three hours, the group stopped at a resting point developed aside a petrol station in the German city of Osnabruck. This point was also our last conference point, over a cup of coffee and tea the group discussed their experiences during this travel, the group leader thanked all the Ansar and present Khuddam for their teamwork, support and presence. About at 1300 hours the journey back to home commenced from the city of Osnabruck – Germany, once in Nederland all three cars split in different directions to drop the participants at different locations, and Ansar driving the cars meet again at Schiphol Airport and the cars were returned to the rental agency from where they were rented, and with this this “Foreign Trip” came to a successful end, Alhamdulillah.
Closing remarks
Alhamdulillah! with the guidance of Sadr sahib Majlis Ansarullah Nederland and along with the prayers of Khalifatul Masih , this Foreign Visit was safe and without any complications, all members remained safe and healthy, all members increased their knowledge, during this visit the group open heartedly made use of cameras and make many beautiful photos and this has become a part of the history of Majlis Ansarullah Nederland. During this travel members of group also get opportunity to perform Nawafil in the mosques of Hamburg, Copenhagen and Malmo. May Allah bless everyone to benefit from this trip.
About Hamburg
Hamburg officially Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg[5] (Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg), is the second largest city in Germany and the eighth largest city in the European Union. It is the second smallest German state by area. Its population is over 1.7 million people, and the city is situated on the river Elbe.
Baitul Rasheed – Hamburg Germany
This mosque was inaugurated by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih the 5th, on his tour to Germany on the 5th of December 2012 in Hamburg Germany.
Copenhagen – Denmark
Copenhagen is the capital and most populated city of Denmark. It has a municipal population of 591,481 and a larger urban population of 1,280,371, with a Density of 7,000/km2 The city is situated on the eastern coast of the island of Zealand; another small portion of the city is located on Amager, and is separated from Malmö, Sweden, by the strait of Øresund. The Øresund Bridge connects the two cities by rail and road. Copenhagen is located partly on the island of Zealand and partly on the island of Amager. Right in the center is the Folketing (Danish Parliament) and the cathedral Vor Frue Kirke
Ahmadiyyat in Scandinavia
Ahmadiyya efforts in Scandinavia began in the 1950s, when an Ahmadi Muslim missionary, Kamal Yousuf sahib, originally from Pakistan, was appointed to open Ahmadiyya missions in the region. Although Kamal Yousuf sahib was primarily based in Sweden, he first toured Denmark in 1956, in 1974, the Community was recognized as the first Muslim community of Denmark.
Nusrat Jahan Mosque
In 1967, Ahmadi Muslims built Denmark’s first mosque, in Hvidovre, on the outskirts of Copenhagen. The Nusrat Jahan Mosque was financed solely by female members of the Community.
Malmö – Sweden
Malmö is the third largest city in Sweden and the 6th largest in the Nordic countries. Malmö is also the most populous city in Scania and is the economical and cultural centre of South Sweden. The administrative entity for most of the city is Malmö Municipality which, has land area of 156.9 km2 with 324,908 inhabitants in eight different localities.
Mahmud Mosque Malmö, Sweden
Mahmud Mosque, located in Malmo, Sweden was opened in 13 May 2016 with a capacity of 300 people. The Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony of Mahmood Mosque on 12th April 2014 in Malmö, Sweden. This mosque was inaugurated by his Holiness Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad on his Scandinavian Tour 2016, on the 13th of May 2016