Rabwa

From a historical point of view, this land from where Muhammad bin Qasim , after conquering the provinces of Sind and Multan , crossed the Chenab River and headed to Kashmir . Here the Arabs fought against the Hindu Raji Chandrod (probably in antiquity, people called him Chiniot) and subdued him. More than 100 Arab warriors died in this battle. The “Martyrs' Cemetery” exists in Chiniot, to this day. ^[4] Before the creation of Rabva, its area was barren. She was known as "Chuck Digian." The land was bought by the Ahmadian Muslim community after the majority of its members emigrated from Kadian to other parts of the Indian Punjab, which moved to Pakistan after its independence.

1,034 acres of land were originally leased from the government of Pakistan. ^[5] The Land Transfer Protocol was approved on June 11, 1948. ^[6] The then leader of the Ahmadiyah Muslim community, Hazrat Mirza Bashirudin Mahmoud Ahmad, called this city Rabva. ^[7] Rabva is an Arabic word (it is also found in the Qur'an), meaning "high place." The formal opening of the settlement took place on September 20, 1948 after the prayers and sacrifices of five goats in the corners and in the center of the land. ^[8] 619 people attended the ceremony. ^[9] At the place where Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmoud Ahmad held the first prayer, the first mosque was built in Rabva, which was called "Yadgar" (literally a memorial). The first settlements lived in tents, which were then replaced by buildings built of clay. Mubarak Mosque is the first building to be built using cement. The second Khalif of the Ahmadiyah Muslim community, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmoud Ahmad, moved to Rabwa on September 19, 1949. By that time, the population of Rabwa had grown to 1000 people. The first “Jalsa Salana” (Annual Congress) in Rabwe was held from April 15 to 17, 1949. 17,000 people attended this Annual Congress. Electricity in the city was installed in 1954. ^[ten]

Name change

On November 17, 1998, the Punjab Provincial Assembly passed a resolution changing the name of Rabwa. On December 12, the Punjab government issued a notice with immediate effect on renaming the city of Rabwa to Navan Kadian. ^[eleven]

On February 14, 1999, another notice was issued overriding the previous notice. According to this notification, Navan-Kadian was renamed Chenab-Nagar ^[12] (referring to the city of Chenab). Other members of the Punjab assembly believed that Rabwu should rename the names Chuck Dagian, Mustafa Abad, Siddikabad, etc. The decision of the Punjab assembly to change the name of Rabwa was adopted unanimously at the end of the working day. However, instead of 275 people, only 67 people attended the assembly. ^[13] The name was changed without consulting the local population. The Civil Rights Committee (in Rabwa) called this decision unconstitutional, unethical, cruel, and issued contrary to all the norms of a civilized society. This decision was made on the basis of intolerance, narrow-mindedness and fanaticism. ^[14]

The city has a population of 70,000 people, of which 97% belong to the Ahmadiyah Muslim community. ^[15] The remaining 3 percent of the population is composed of Christians and other Muslims. The city is experiencing a massive migration of Muslims - Ahmadi fleeing persecution. It has a very diverse ethnic composition. Most of the population speaks Urdu and Punjabi . Most students living in this city speak English.

The life of the inhabitants of Rabwa

Ahmadi Muslims living in this city often face many difficulties due to regulation No. XX. Ahmadi Muslim residents of the city have been denied the right to peaceful religious gatherings since 1983. ^[16] In 1989, Punjab police instituted criminal proceedings against the entire population of the city for inscribing the texts of the Koran on graves and buildings. ^{[17] [18]}

Rabva covers an area of ​​about 24 km (29.3 square miles) and is located about halfway between Faisalabad and Sargoda. The Chinab River surrounds the city from its eastern and southern sides. This area is higher than the surrounding plains, due to the dry hills that dot the landscape (Rabva is an elevated place) and provide a natural barrier against floods. These hills are part of the small Kiran Range, which stretches from Sargoda to Djang. These hills are also known as Black Mountains. ^[19] This area was once dry and barren. For more than fifty years of active planting, it has turned into a lush green city.

According to the Köppen climate classification, Rabwa experiences an arid climate (BWH). Since the area is in a temperate region in the northwest of the subcontinent, it shares the weather of the subcontinent. Rabwa is distinguished by hot summers and cold winters. The summer season from April to October, sometimes from May, is considered the hottest month. At this time, the temperature regularly reaches 40 ° C. Located in the center of the dry plains, it is often exposed to dust storms in the summer. Summer also brings the Indian monsoon, which increases the rainfall in June and July above 80 mm. The winter season lasts from November to February. January is considered the coldest month in which temperatures can drop to freezing. In winter, this area is covered with fog, which reduces visibility to dangerously low levels.

Neighborhoods

Initially, the city was divided into the following areas (Mahali)

• Darul Sadar (Central House)
• Darul Rahmat (House of Mercy)
• Darul Futuh (House of Victory)
• Darul Barakat (House of Blessing)
• Darul Ulum (House of Education)
• Darul Nasar (House of God's Help)
• Darul Shukr (House of thanks)
• Darul Yaman (House on the right)
• Babul Abwab (Open House)

Later, when the city expanded, these areas were divided into units. In addition, many new areas of the city were built up, such as the factory square, Tahir Abad, Nasir Abad, the Rakhman colony, the Muslim colony, Baitul Hamd, etc.

Masjid e-Aqsa

The Masjid e-Aqsa or the Rabwah Mosque (Pakistan) is the largest worship site of the Ahmadiyah Muslim community in Pakistan . Its first stone was laid in the foundation in 1966 and the opening of the building took place on March 31, 1972. It is the main mosque of the Ahmadi Muslim community in the city of Rabwa. This mosque can accommodate more than 18,500 worshipers.

Sports and recreation

Many areas of Rabwa have their own playgrounds for children. Popular sports include cricket, soccer and badminton. The city also has a basketball team ^[20] and a rowing team. There is also an Olympic-standard pool, ^{[21] a} well-equipped tennis court, and a squash court. Rabva also has a small park called Baitul Hamd . In addition, many farms are located along the river. These places are considered suitable for picnics.

Commercial spaces

Gol Bazar (in English, “The Round Market") is a semicircle in the form of a market in which most of the banking branches of the city of Rabva are located, including UBL Bank, SME Bank, Faisal Bank, etc. Masrour Plaza is a commercial area located in the very center of the city.

The prevailing mode of transport in Rabwe is the bicycle, it is complemented by motorcycles and motorcycles - rickshaws. Buses from the city of Rabwa run to Islamabad, Lahore, Faisalabad, Karachi and other major cities of Pakistan. Next to Rabwa is the National Highway. The nearest airports are in Faisalabad (48 kilometers (30 miles)) and Sargoda (59 kilometers (37 miles)).

The population of Rabwa has a high literacy rate. Almost one hundred percent of the population graduates from high school. This is reflected in the many achievements of students from Rabwa. ^[22] The city has numerous government, private primary and secondary schools, as well as colleges.

Taalimul Islam College and School

Taalimul Islam College and School, originally, in 1898, was founded by the Ahmadi community in Qadian. The college was the result of inspiration of the founder of the Ahmadi movement in Islam Mirza Gulam Ahmad. On August 14, 1947, after gaining independence and the creation of two sovereign states of India and Pakistan, most of the teachers and students of this educational institution emigrated from Kadian, India to Pakistan. For some time, the Taalimul Islam School and College was located in Lahore, and then was transferred to Rabwa, Pakistan. These institutions were nationalized under the government of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, as part of his nationalization program. ^[23] The College Association is actively publishing Al Manar magazine. ^[24]

Jamiah Nusrath Girls College and School

This is a college and school for girls, which were founded by the Ahmadiy community. Later they were also nationalized. ^[23]

Nusrat Jan Academy and Inter College

The Nusrat Jan Academy was founded in 1987 as a private English medium school of the Ahmadian Muslim community, it is an exemplary educational institution of the city. It currently has 3 campuses. Campus for elementary grades. Campus for middle and high school with English language learning. The campus with teaching in Urdu language of middle and senior grades, as well as the campus of Inter College. It is planned to expand the Nusrat Jahan Academy and the college for girls to the level of the institute, which will be located on a separate campus. The initial plan is to create 4 departments of science and a common block consisting of 3 floors. 1,500 girls will be able to attend college annually. The building is expected to cover an area of ​​31,500 m². The estimated cost of 70 million rupees. Since 2011, all private schools in Rabwa, which have been sponsored by the Nazarat Taalim Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya institution, have been taken care of by the board of trustees of Aga Khan University. Since then, the quality of education of Muslims - Ahmadi in Rabwa has risen to a very high level. ^[25]

Other Private Universities

• Schools sponsored by the Nazarat Taalim institution:
  • Baitul Hamd Primary School
  • Butulul Hamd, a high school for girls
  • Maryam High School for Girls
  • Maryam Siddika High School for Girls
  • Tahir Primary School
  • Nasir High School
• Self-directed schools:
  • Ahmadi Public Elementary School
  • Heavenly Home Public School
  • Ahmad Public School
  • Al Sadik, a modern public school
  • Crescent High School of Grammar
  • Star Academy ^[26]
  • Nadi Academy

Ahmadi University Jamiyah Ahmadiyya

Jamiya Ahmadiyya is an international Islamic theological seminary and educational and research institute with branches around the world. Its Pakistan center is located in Rabwa. Graduates of this seven-year-old theological seminary receive a master's degree in theology. The university consists of two campuses, a campus for junior courses and a campus for senior courses, which are located in Rabwa along the building of a road technical school.

Hifz Kuran Madrasah

It has two campuses, one for boys and one for girls. This is a spiritual educational institution that teaches the technique of memorizing the Koran. Interested students may attend this institution after completing primary education. After completing 3-year studies, they can continue their education in the eighth grade.

Darul Sana Vocational Institute

Institute of vocational education for training in various technical specialties.

• Fazle Umar, hospital complex

The Fazle Umar Hospital Complex is the city’s main private hospital and serves the majority of the population. It is run by the Ahmadi community. Founded in 1958, it has become one of the best medical facilities in the region. It provides hospital services not only to the local population, but also to patients from cities and villages of far abroad countries. It is a complex with a covered area of ​​115,000 square meters, with 150 beds, with highly qualified medical staff. The Fazle Umar hospital complex is designed to provide its patients with modern medical care. This hospital complex has departments of therapy, surgery and pediatrics. Last year, more than 140,000 patients received medical care. ^[27]

Begam Zubaida Bani Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology

This three-story modern facility has been opened to provide a wide range of medical and surgical services for women. The Begam Bani Zubayda Center also has separate buildings for hepatitis patients. ^[28]

Tahir Cardiology Institute

The six-story modern building of the Cardiology Institute began its activities in 2007. The first stone in the foundation of its foundation was laid in 2003. It was named after the fourth caliph of the Ahmadiyah Muslim community, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad. ^[29] This is one of the best cardiology institutes in the region. It also performs heart surgery on children and adults. Worth mentioning is the fact that this is one of the few cardiological hospitals in Pakistan, equipped with specialized ambulances to deliver patients with heart disease from remote regions of the country. In early 2012, a dialysis center also began to function here. The headquarters of the Ahmedi Medical Association of Pakistan are also located here.

Blood and Eye Donation Center

This is a specialized center that takes the eyes of donors throughout the country. In the same complex there is a blood donation center, and a pathological laboratory. The center is called Nurul Ain Daira Hidmate Insaniya.

Tahir Research Institute for the Study of Homeopathy

Homeopathic clinics and the Tahir Research Institute operate year-round and on a free basis. Last year, they provided free drugs to 44,000 patients. The Institute plans to open new clinics in other countries, it is also planned to connect all homeopathic clinics operating in other countries to the e-mail system. To facilitate follow-up, patient records and diagnostics are performed on computers. ^[thirty]

Other hospitals

There are also several other small private hospitals in Rabwa. They also fulfill the needs of citizens of the region.

The daily newspaper Al Fazl is published in the Zyaul Islam printing house, which is located in Rabwa. The newspaper is one of the oldest newspapers in Pakistan. It began to be published as a weekly in Kadian in 1913. After the partition of India, it began to be published in Pakistan. The Al Fazl newspaper is the official organ of the Ahmadiyah Muslim community. It contains news and articles related to the Ahmadiyah community and its faith, along with general national and international news. Resolution No. XX, promulgated in 1984 by military dictator General Muhammad Ziya-ul-Haq, forbade the newspaper to use Islamic terminology, such as Muslims, Islam, shahid, etc. Editors must detect and delete all such words before publishing daily release. ^[21]

“Rabwa Time” is a news block that began to function in 2008. ^{[31] [32]} It has its own offices located in Rabwa. The site records cases of discrimination and harassment of Muslims - Ahmadi. ^[33]

Other Media

Many monthly magazines are published in Rabwa:

• Misbach (a magazine for women)
• “Tashhizul Ahzan” (children's publication)
• Khalid (includes articles written by youth for youth)
• Ansarullah (a publication for the elderly)

• Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmoud Ahmad , the founder of the city and the eldest son of Mirza Gulam Ahmad, II Caliph of the Ahmadi Muslim community.
• Mirza Nasir Ahmad , III Caliph of the Ahmadiyah Muslim community
• Mirza Tahir Ahmad , IV Caliph of the Ahmadiyah Muslim community.
• Mirza Masrur Ahmad , V Caliph of the Ahmadian Muslim Community. Her current chapter.

• The official site of the Ahmadiyah Muslim community
• Introduction and a brief outline of the history of the Ahmadiyah Muslim community
• Official website highlighting the persecution of the Ahmadiyah Muslim community