Since Latvia was under the supervision of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Germany's Tabligh department, efforts were made under the said department for the registration and the establishment of the Jamaat in Latvia. Some missionaries from Germany also visited Latvia during that period and made efforts to establish a Community in Latvia. As a result, the Jamaat was officially registered in Latvia on 22 December 2015 under the name of "Association Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Latvia".
Then, a missionary was appointed to Latvia by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V (aa). He was initially working between Lithuania and Latvia, rotating between the two countries every two weeks. He visited Riga, the capital of Latvia, in April 2017, made some initial assessments and rented out a two-room flat there. After renting the flat, the missionary arrived in Riga on 8 May 2017 to start the mission.
Visit by the central representative:
Khalid Ahmad SB, in-charge Russian Desk, while on his tour of the Baltic countries, also came and visited Latvia on 29 October 2018 and assessed the Jamaat activities.
Membership of the Community:
Before the arrival of a missionary, there was only one Ahmadi in Latvia who had come from Germany to study. Later, some more students came from Pakistan to study in Latvia. In view of the needs of the members of the Community, a five-room flat was rented on 6 June 2019. One room served as the office of the Community and the rest was utilised as accommodation.
On 11 March 2020, the missionary of the Community and his family were granted visas for Latvia. Hence, they permanently moved from Lithuania to Latvia and took up residence there.
Outreach efforts:
Efforts were made to build connections on the local level and some literature in Russian and the English language was distributed. Although Russian is widely spoken in Latvia, the official language is Latvian. Hence, attention was focused on producing Ahmadiyya literature in this language, starting with the translation and publication of the leaflet titled "The Promised Messiah (as) The Reformer of this Era"
In 2019, the Community was able to participate in the "Latvian Book Fair" which is held annually. In this fair, Islam Ahmadiyyat was introduced to the Latvian people on a wider scale for the first time. Literature in Latvian, Russian and English was distributed at the event.
Jalsa Salana:
Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are three Baltic states. Only a small number of Ahmadis live in these countries. Hence, a combined Jalsa Salana (annual gathering) of the three Baltic states was held on 30 March 2019 in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, which was attended by the Ahmadis as well non-Ahmadi guests. Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V (aa) sent his special message for the Jalsa. Khalid Ahmad SB, in-charge Russian Desk, participated in the Jalsa as the central representative. Abdullah Wagishauser SB, the Ameer of Germany Jamaat also attended the Jalsa.
Website:
On 4 July 2020, www.islam-ahmadiyya.lv, the official website of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Latvia was launched. More books and other literature of the Community is being translated and published and is being made available on this website.
Welfare activities:
Ahmadis in an individual capacity as well as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been able to help the needy in Latvia from time to time. This includes help through Waqar-e-Amal as well as by providing groceries etc. This is an ongoing effort.
Bai'at:
In July 2021, the first Bai'at was achieved in Latvia as an Arab entered the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
