The Khalifa of Islam and Fifth head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad arrived in Australia for the second leg of his Asia Pacific tour.
His Holiness arrived at Sydney’s Kingsford Smith International Airport at 5.15am local time, following an overnight flight from Singapore and was greeted at the airport by Rt Hon Kevin Conolly MP, a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly and Mr Mahmood Ahmad, President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Australia.
During a twenty minute meeting with Kevin Conolly, the MP said he was delighted to welcome Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad to Australia. He said that he knew how important his visit was for all Ahmadi Muslims living in the country.
His Holiness expressed his gratitude that he had come at such an early hour to receive him. Thereafter various other matters were discussed and Mr Conolly briefed His Holiness on Australia’s recent General Elections.
At 5.55am local time, His Holiness departed from the airport and after a 50minute drive he arrived at the Baitul Huda Mosque in Sydney where he was greeted by more than 600 Ahmadi Muslim men, women and children all overcome with joy at seeing their spiritual leader.
His Holiness waved at the Ahmadi Muslims as they raised Islamic slogans and recited poems in celebration at his arrival.
On 4th October 2013, His Holiness was interviewed by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation TV and Radio.
During the 25 minute interview, His Holiness was asked a range of questions about Islam and the purpose of his visit to Australia.
During the first week of his second tour of Australia, His Holiness was interviewed by a journalist representing both the ‘The Standard’ and the ‘Daily Telegraph’ newspapers and another representing the ‘Blacktown Sun’. The interviews were conducted at the Baitul Huda Mosque in Sydney.
On 6th October 2013 the Khalifa addressed a congregation of more than 4,000 at Sydney’s Baitul Huda Mosque as he delivered the concluding address at the 29th Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) Australia.
On 9th October 2013 after a short flight from Sydney The Khalifa arrived in Melbourne .
His visit marked a historic moment in the history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat as it was the first time ever that a Khalifa visited Melbourne.
The Khalifa delivered the keynote address at a Special Reception held at the Princess Court Reception Centre in Melbourne on the evening of 11 October 2013.
The event was attended by more than 100 non-Ahmadi dignitaries and guests, including Major-General Paul McLachlan, Mayor of Frankston, Sandra Mayer, Anthony Byrne MP, Judith Graley MP and Ingra Peulich MP.
During his recent visit to Melbourne, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad visited the Royal Botanical Gardens, the Sky-High view at Mount Dandenong and also a local bird park.
Whilst visiting the Royal Botanical Gardens, His Holiness was given a guided tour of various gardens including the ‘Water Saving Garden’, the ‘Lifestyle Garden’ and the ‘Research Garden’. His Holiness also led the Zuhr and Asr prayers whilst at the gardens.
The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and Fifth Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad arrived in Brisbane on 22 October 2013 after a short flight from Sydney to inaugurate the new Baitul Masroor Mosque.
This was Khalifa of Islam’s second visit to Australia, Up next is New Zealand .