Serving in Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK
The following article is a transcript of an interview by Tariq Magazine, in which former Naib Sadr and Nazim-e-Ala of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK, Atif Khalil Sahib, gives an insight into his time and service to the Majlis.
For the readers, can you give an introduction to yourself and tell them a little about your background?
My name is Atif Khalil I live in Mitcham Jamaat. I am 40 years old and work as an Optometrist. I was born in Pakistan and moved to the UK with my family at aged 4 back in 1989.
In what capacities have you served Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya?
I have been very fortunate to serve in various capacities within Khuddam ul Ahmadiyya. My first ever responsibility at aged 15 was local Nazim Atfal and then local saiq. Working at the grass root level was very rewarding and played a big role in keeping me on the straight and narrow at a vulnerable age. As I got older, I served in other capacities in the local administration including local qaid before serving in the regional amila as motamid, naib regional qaid then eventually as regional qaid in Baitun Noor region from 2013- 2018.
From 2018 till 2025 I was very Blessed to serve in various capacities within the national amila including, mohatmim Tarbiyyat New Ahmadies, Mohtamim Sanat o Tijarat, Mohtamim Tahrik e Jadid, Mohtamim Additional Tarbiyyat and finally for my last 3 years in khuddam ul Ahmadiyya as Naib Sadr. Allah has Blessed me with a lot of opportunities to serve.
What initially motivated you to get involved?
As an older tifl my local nazim atfal took me to a Waqar-e-Amal for Jalsa Salana. I witnessed a very unique brotherhood which is not possible in any other organisation. As a teenager I was particularly lazy and never helped in any chores at home but here I was in Islamabad washing plastic chairs with a hose, then cutting some grass, then helping in the roti plant and something just made me feel happy and content and gave me a huge sense belonging. Anything I’ve done in MKA has been in part to keep on feeling that same feeling.
What was the most challenging aspect in your years in service and how would you overcome these challenges?
I’ve mostly been a quiet and reserved person but throughout my time in Majlis khuddam ul Ahmadiyya I have served in some capacities where speaking to and addressing an audience was necessary. I struggled with this aspect and even remember on one occasion when representing sadr sahib at the opening session of a local ijtema I completely froze after delivering a few sentences and had to end the speech because I went completely blank. With practice my confidence grew and I gradually got better. I overcame this by making sure I made notes if I knew I was going to be addressing an audience on a particular topic but most importantly I wrote to Beloved Huzoor(aba) for prayers and I would recite Durood constantly before starting any speech or address. I can’t say I have mastered this art but I have certainly improved and this has helped massively in gaining confidence in speaking.
How did you balance your personal, professional and Jamaati responsibilities?
I believe there is always time for all aspects in our life it’s just about how we are able to manage our time effectively. Beloved Huzoor (aba) is the perfect example for us where even his car serves as an extension to his office and he uses every opportunity to discharge his responsibilities. I once heard on ‘This Week with Huzoor’ when someone asked Huzoor(aba) when do you have family time? And Huzoor (aba) replied when I’m eating at the table with the family, that’s family time. I think this is the perfect example of having absolute dedication to your work and responsibilities and yet still fulfilling all your other obligations.
Can you share any faith inspiring and memorable moments you have had with beloved Huzoor (aa)?
Earlier this year Beloved Huzoor(aba) inaugurated Sarai Masoor and I was fortunate to be present on this Blessed occasion. On Beloved Huzoor’s arrival I was told by Sadr Sahib to stand in the kitchen area and check all is running okay there. Beloved Huzoor (aba) then came into the kitchen and for a moment it was only myself and Beloved Huzoor (aba) in the kitchen and he lovingly asked ‘who are you? , take your mask off so I can see you’ then Sadr sahib MKA introduced me saying ‘this is Atif Khalil, naib sadr’ and then Beloved Huzoor proceeded to ask about my family and who I was related to and such is the love of Beloved Huzoor (aba) that for those moments it felt like Beloved Huzoor (aba) had come only to visit me. It is a moment that has been captured by camera and featured in the Sariai Masoor inauguration piece in the Tariq Magazine and it has forever left an immovable impression on my heart.
What guidance has Huzoor (aa) imparted on you, throughout your years in the Amila?
Beloved Huzoor has first and foremost instructed all office bearers to pray the 5 obligatory prayers on time and in congregation and then go beyond that and offer Tahajjud and Nawafil prayers and to lead by example in this regard and always hold our faith above all worldly matters and this was always an instruction when we were fortunate enough to have an audience with Beloved Huzoor (aba). Beloved Huzoor (aba) has also said on many occasions on the importance of upholding the truth and making sure honestly and integrity is behind our every action and what we hold in our hearts and how we express ourselves outwardly should be the same.
What advice would you give to any aspiring Khadim, on how to build their relationship with Khilafat?
I think its very important to pray for Beloved Huzoor (aba) and for his long, healthy and active life. I know this gets said a lot but it is so important to write to Huzoor (aba). From the 8 Billion or so people in the world, he is the sole representative of Allah on Earth and we have unique access to him and his Blessed prayers. If we don’t write to him then we are at a huge loss. Khaliftul Masih the 3rd (ra) said that he prays for those who write to him and he even prays for those who don’t write to him, so that Allah gives them to the ability to do so.
The connection and love from Khalifatul Masih is a Blessing that will always safeguard us to the end of time, it’s up to us to make the necessary effort and inshAllah reap the rewards and Blessing that lie therein. It’s also critical to listen very carefully to the words of Khalifatul Masih, be it the weekly Friday sermon or otherwise.
In the UK we are fortunate that his voice quite often reaches our ears first and so it is incumbent upon us to be the first to listen and obey and thereby strengthen our bond with Khilafat through obedience .
Here we have the opportunity to pray behind Khalifatul Masih whenever we want and people are coming from abroad just so they can pray behind Huzoor (aba) and we should make the effort to do this regularly.
Alhamdulillah, you had the blessed opportunity this year to serve as Nazim Ala, what preparations went into making this year’s Ijtema?
Alhamdulillah I was very fortunate to serve as Nazim e Ala ijtema this year as it gave me with the opportunity to witness the Blessings of Allah that he bestows upon his jamaat through khliafat. A lot of preparation goes into the ijtema and this year was particularly challenging as we were on a new site, which we only secured approximately 2-3 months before ijtema. Having an amazing, hardworking and dedicated committee was imperative to the ijtema and Alhamdolillah each and every member of the committee served to a point where I could not ask more of them. The key ingredients to the success of the ijtema as prescribed on many occasions by Beloved Huzoor (aba) was prayers and sadqa. There were many hurdles before during and even after the ijtema but on each occasion Beloved Huzoors prayers, love and advice removed all obstacles, Alhamdolillah.
Since you are now Nasir, what advice would you give to Khuddam to best utilise their time in Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, to best serve the Jamaat?
Every opportunity to serve and give your time for the sake of the pleasure of Allah is something to cherish. Khuddam ul Ahmdiyya means ‘servants of Ahmadiyyat’, consider yourself very fortunate to be a servant of Ahmadiyyat and serve selflessly and with humility whenever you are asked and pray that may Allah accept your efforts and your sacrifice. I can say especially from my experience as Nazim e Ala ijtema that you should never underestimate the power of prayers and sadqa. Finally, always remember Beloved Huzoor (aba) in your prayers.
May Allah Grant Beloved Huzoor (aba) a long healthy and active life. Ameen
