What does the future of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat look like?

There is still a long way to go. Growth in numbers alone is not enough. What matters is that new members grow in faith and character and are well cared for locally, so that they do not drift away again.

A community that grows rejoices over every new person. Yet numbers are not the goal. What matters more is whether those who join become better, step by step, in faith and in character. Growth has value only if it leads to a better life in the spirit of Islam.

This calls for an honest admission. Many who join drift away after a while if no one looks after them. Their number is often greater than people like to admit. Announcing large figures can encourage people, but it must not hide this task.

The answer lies in local care. Every area needs teachers from among its own people who carry responsibility and keep an eye on newcomers. Someone who is given responsibility himself will not allow others to be quietly lost. The sooner such people are prepared, the safer the path.

Without this work, all plans remain grand words. With it, and with prayer for God’s help, the future is full of hope. The Holy Qur’an always links God’s promise with faith and good works. A community has a future when its members are willing to change themselves.