“Today, we are celebrating Eid. Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at from prosperous countries, who enjoy good living conditions, should be conscious of the fact that there are countless people around the world who are living in very poor conditions. One estimate shows that over 815 million people face starvation. Every day, 1 in 9 people in the world go to sleep without having eaten anything the entire day, and 1 in 3 people face a shortage of food. These estimates are conservative. I believe there are many more people suffering from hunger.
Humanity First is conducting variety of services to mankind, including the provision of food, water, education, medical care, and other efforts such as disaster response.
Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at work with a passion and zeal in Humanity First, and the same work that other organizations spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to complete, Humanity First completes it in just few thousand dollars with the help of volunteers. Number of Jama`at members offer their services both as volunteers and also by helping financially through donations.
However, there are some, who do not take part in this noble work. Especially in their moments of joy, they need to participate in these humanitarian efforts, for the sake of gaining Allah’s pleasure.
Indeed, the pleasure and satisfaction you will gain after making this a habit, will be much greater than the temporary joys.
Likewise, instill this habit in your children. When elders give them Eidi (Eid gifts), they should donate a portion for the poorer children of the world. If you instill this habit in them now, then in the long term, this habit will make them people who spend for the betterment of mankind, it will make them the ones who sympathize with those who are suffering, it will also make them a recipient of God’s blessings and protect from hardships in their own lives, and it will keep them on the righteous path.
This awareness and passion must continue to be passed on to our new generations.
This is the real celebration and joy of Eid.”
(Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aa), Fifth Caliph & World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at, Eid Sermon - June 16th, 2018)
