The Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper (left),sits next to Mirza Masroor Ahmad at the grand opening to the public of Baitun Nur, the largest mosque in Canada, on July 5, 2008
On May 27, 2008, Ahmadiyya Muslims celebrated the hundred years of establishment of Khilafat.[3] Mirza Masroor Ahmad spoke to a large gathering of Ahmadis in the Excel Center, London and took a pledge from Ahmadis worldwide.[4] The occasion was relayed around the world via the Community's television channel, MTA with a live link up to Qadian (the Communities initial headquarters and birthplace of Ghulam Ahmad) and Rabwah[5][6][7] A centenary conference was planned at Qadian, India in December 2008. This gathering was to mark the end of the celebrations of the centenary. However, due to the Mumbai bomb-blasts, and the resulting security situation, after having visited various parts of South India, Mirza Masroor Ahmad canceled his participation in the gathering at Qadian and returned to London.[8]
