Nations Cannot Be Reformed Without the Reformation of the Youth

Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud (ra)
Founder of Majlis Atfalul Ahmadiyya

The purpose of Majlis Atfalul Ahmadiyya is to prepare Ahmadi children in a proper manner so that they may be molded in such a way that they are able to utilize their God gifted abilities towards the progress of the Jama'at.

While God has emphasized upon the believers to keep themselves away from the fire of His displeasure, He has also made them responsible for their families. Thus, along with self-reformation they must also reform their families and thus fulfill the responsibility of reforming their future generations.

In the world we see that in order for a nation to progress, it is necessary to establish a proper system for training of future generations, so that after they receive adequate training, they can shoulder the system established by their predecessors and become capable of furthering its progress.

We have also seen that the best time for the training of the new generation is in its childhood. In this age, the state of heart and mind is clean. Whatever imprints are placed in the heart of a child, they will not be easy to be removed in a later period.

"No child is born except on Al-Fitra (Islam) and then his parents make him Jewish, Christian or a Magian" (Bukhari)

Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa)

The reason for this is that a child has the nature of understanding and imitating. He will accept anything that the parents or guardian will teach him. Thus, it is the childhood training , in which the foundation of a person's thoughts and character is built.

"The most appropriate and advisable time for the acquisition of religious education is during the period of childhood…Retentive faculties are sharp in childhood. The memory is never as firm in the later stages of one’s life. The reason for this is because the imprints of learning in the early stages of life become so finely impressed and deep rooted, due to this being the age in which the faculties are developing, that they can never be erased.

In short, in the practice of education, it ought to be considered and especially remembered that religious education should begin from the very beginning. I have always had a desire and this is the case even now... If the Muslims do not take a keen interest in the education of their children, then they should take heed that a time will come when even their children will be lost to them."

Malfuzat, Vol. 1, Pgs. 68-69

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
Promised Messiah (as)

Fulfilling the desire of the Promised Messiah (as), Hadrat Musleh Mau'ud (ra) has given an organized form for the moral and spiritual training of the Ahmadi Children. Alongside other auxiliary organizations, he has given two independent auxiliary organizations for Ahmadi Children.

Establishment

On April 15, 1938 in Masjid Aqsa, Qadian, in his Friday Sermon Hadrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra) gave the initial order to establish this new auxiliary organization. Accordingly, on April 23, 1938, this organization was opened under Resolution # 17 in the Markaz of Khuddamul Ahmadiyya.

"Within one month, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya should establish an organization for youth between the ages of 7-15 and should name the organization Atfalul Ahmadiyya."

July 26, 1938
Announcement by Hazrat Musleh Mau'ud (ra)

Structure

Mohtamim Atfal has at his disposal a comprehensive executive body to maintain the activities and progress of Majlis Atfalul Ahmadiyya, which include Assistants to Mohtamim (Naib Mohtamimeen) and a body of Regional Nazimeen. Various departments work under the Mohtamim Atfal, Including Taleem, Tarbiyyat, Maal, and Isha'at to name a few.

The local representative of each chapter of Atfalul Ahmadiyya is known as the Nazim Atfal. This position is assigned to a local member of MKA (Khadim) by the specific MKA Chapter head (Qaid).

In order to also train the youth in the art of leadership, officers are also being appointed among the members of the Atfalul Ahmadiyya and they are always encouraged to hold their seperate meetings, but under the direction and supervision of MKA. Each local Atfalul Ahmadiyya chapter makes a Majlis-e-Amila (consultative body) by appointing suitable Atfal.

Murabbi Atfal
Secretary Umoomi
Secretary Tarbiyyat
Secretary Taleem
Secretary Maal
Secretary Waqf-e-Jadid
Secretary Isha'at
Secretary Khidmat-e-Khalq
Secretary Tajneed
Secretary Sehat-e-Jismani
Secretary Sanat-o-Tijarat
Secretary Waqar-e-Amal
Secretary Waqf-e-Nau

Atfal are also mentored by appointed members of Majlis Ansarullah (auxiliary of the Jama’at for men over the age of 40) known as Murabbiyan Atfal. A Murabbi Atfal serves as an elder guide for the local Atfalul Ahmadiyya chapter assisting the local Nazim Atfal with overall training of the local members of Atfalul Ahmadiyya.