Ecuador is a jewel of the Andes, a land where the equator meets the sky. Its capital, Quito, sits atop the world, characterised by a climate of eternal spring—crisp 10°C mornings that warm to 20°C by noon, followed by gentle afternoon rains. From the heights of Quito, a traveller can descend into the lush Amazon basin within a few hours of road trip or reach the sun-drenched Pacific coast in a few hours. It was in this majestic setting that the seeds of Ahmadiyyat were first sown by the Canadian Jama’at.
The Vision of Khalifatul Masih IV (ru)
At the turn of the millennium, Jama’at Ahmadiyya Canada was flourishing. In accordance with the vision of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (ra), who expected the Canadian Jama’at to expand the message across the Americas, efforts were already underway. While initial contacts had been made in Bolivia and Guatemala in the late 80s, a new door opened in Scarborough, Ontario, at the turn of the century.
An Ecuadorian, Fernando Astudillo, accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat and soon became my roommate. The late Maulana Naseem Mahdi Sahib, fueled by a deep desire to fulfil Huzur’s (ra) wishes, saw a divine opportunity. He invited Fernando to a meeting in his office at the Baitul Islam mosque. Fernando did not have a car, and he asked if I could drive him to the mosque. I agreed and accompanied him to the meeting. Respected Mahdi sahib asked Fernando if he would return to his homeland to convey the message. Though Fernando was hesitant, owing to his limited knowledge of the Jama’at, Maulana Naseem Mahdi Sahib’s encouragement paved the way. Fernando asked if he could be accompanied by someone with more knowledge, as it may be more beneficial. Upon hearing this, Maulana Naseem Mahdi sahib turned to me and said, “Would you like to accompany Fernando in this journey?” I was not prepared for this question and told him that I would seek leave at work, and if I got it, I would be honoured to be part of this trip. By the Grace of Allah, I got leave from work and was blessed with the opportunity to be part of this historic journey of the 14-day Waqf-e-Arzi mission to Ecuador from April 29 to May 13, 2000.
Navigating the Unknown
This was my second journey to Latin America, yet I was armed with only a few words of Spanish. In those days, there was no Google Translate or ubiquitous internet; we relied on a simple pocket dictionary and the occasional access to an internet cafe. Furthermore, Ecuador was emerging from military rule and remained largely closed to the world, making information and support networks nearly non-existent.
That training … became my compass.
However, I carried with me the invaluable experience of serving the Jama’at in Hungary during its foundational years. I had the opportunity to work with Markaz to get the foundation laid. This experience had trained me on how to approach Tabligh in a new place and what steps needed to be taken to get the Jama’at started. That training in learning how to establish a mission from the ground up became my compass.
Before departing, we sought the most powerful tool available to us: a letter to Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (ra) for his special prayers. With my visas secured on my Pakistani passport and suitcase filled with literature, we set off through the USA. The blessings of Allah appeared immediately; on our flight to Quito, we were seated next to a university professor. He spoke perfect English, and conversation quickly turned to the purpose of our trip. Moved by our mission, he provided essential guidance on where to stay and which academic circles to approach.
Pursuing the Targets
Maulana Naseem Mahdi Sahib had set clear objectives for this trip:
- Achieve Bai’ats (initiations).
- Research the legal registration of the Jama’at.
- Locate a suitable property for a Mission House.
We focused our efforts on universities, seeking those with English literacy. Despite the language barrier, the professor we met on the plane became a bridge, introducing us to several contacts. We designed and printed a simple, half-page leaflet in Spanish as our opening statement. For one week, we travelled throughout Quito, visiting churches, government offices, and lawyers, seeking the required information regarding the registration of Jama’at as well as conveying the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat to as many people as possible.
Along with these efforts, we did take time to visit the iconic sites like the Equator line, crafts centers and some other tourist spots like the colonial part of Quito. No matter where we went, Allah provided a helper, and communication became easier.
The Dinner in Cuenca: A Turning Point
The second week took us south to the beautiful city of Cuenca, nestled in the mountains where Fernando’s family lived, which included his mother, sister, elder brother and his family. I was welcomed into their home and treated as a brother. However, a shadow of anxiety remained: Fernando had not yet told his family he had become a Muslim. We were not sure how to break the news to them. Fernando feared their reaction in a traditional Catholic society where Islam was entirely foreign, but we were determined to break the news and invite them to join him in Islam.
Drawing inspiration from the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), who began his Tabligh in Mecca by inviting his kin to a meal, we decided to host a dinner for the family. We wrote to Huzur (ra) for prayers and sought Allah’s help by offering tahajud prayers.
His brother’s wife volunteered to cook, so we bought all the ingredients and helped her prepare the food. After the meal, I introduced myself and spoke of the beauty of Islam Ahmadiyyat and the true status of Jesus (as). Then, Fernando spoke from his heart, explaining that he had found peace in the beautiful teachings of Islam. The family was shocked as they had never met a Muslim before, but their shock quickly transformed into intense curiosity.
A New Beginning
For the next three days, our discussions never ceased. I answered their questions to the best of my ability and read the Ten Conditions of Bai’at to illustrate the high moral standard of a true Muslim. As they watched us offer our daily prayers, the younger children began to copy our movements.
Alhamdolillah, five souls entered the fold that day, and the seed of true Islam was firmly planted in Ecuadorian soil.
On the fifth day, the breakthrough arrived. Fernando’s brother invited us for tea and declared that he and his entire family wished to join the Jama’at. Alhamdolillah, five souls entered the fold that day, and the seed of true Islam was firmly planted in Ecuadorian soil. We prayed together, and the environment became festive. We sent the news to Toronto, where it was received with great joy, and Maulana Naseem Mahdi sahib advised Fernando to stay a few extra days to continue to support the newly converted family members.
A Lasting Legacy
I returned to Canada on May 13, while Fernando stayed behind to continue their education in prayer and basic teachings. Though we were separated by oceans and could only communicate through handwritten letters, the foundation was laid.
Ecuador became the first of many triumphs. This humble mission paved the way for the Canadian Jama’at to establish branches in Jamaica, Bolivia, Belize, Uruguay, Paraguay, Honduras, the Cayman Islands, and Peru. Alhamdolillah, I have had the distinct honour of being part of these efforts, alongside many other members who answered the call of the Khalifat.
We have come a long way since that year 2000 trip with a pocket dictionary, but the journey continues. We must remain steadfast and continue to support the growth of the Jama’at across the Americas. May Allah enable us to do so. Amin!
