The Ahmadiyya community was just starting to take root in India, when the sudden news of the demise of two great scholars; Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti (ra) and Hazrat Burhanuddin Jehlmi (ra), was received as a great set back to the community. These scholars were the right hand of the Promised Messiah (as), who made unbelievable sacrifices to aid in preaching the true Islam. With no one to fill their shoes and carry on what they had begun, a space of emptiness could be felt within the community. As a result, the Promised Messiah (as) started an institution named Madrassa-e-Ahmadiyya in Qadian, with the intention of creating such academics who would be able to carry on the duty which was previously served by these great scholars.
In these humble beginnings, this institution, which later evolved into Jamia Ahmadiyya, went through many uncertain periods of time; facing various trials and tribulations, and having to relocate to the likes of mud-huts and stables. However, under the guidance of Khilafat and the protection of Allah the Almighty, nothing could halt this institution from progressing.
After the partition of India and relocation of Khilafat, the community was firmly established in Rabwah in Pakistan. It was now finally time to replicate the institution in Rabwah also, which allowed the Jamaat to attain new heights of progress. Sadly, with success came opposition, which resulted in a second migration from Pakistan to the United Kingdom. With this, the western society was introduced to a new face of Islam, which over time began to be accepted by many as the true faith.
To aid this growing mission, a UK based campus of Jamia Ahmadiyya was established in 2005 in Colliers Wood at the hand of the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim organization, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aa). A few years later, due to an increase in enrollment and a shortage of capacity, the need to relocate arose. Thus, new premises were acquired and on 21 October 2012, the campus was transposed and inaugurated in Haslemere, Surrey by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aa). It is still currently situated in Surrey, where students from all over the world come and study theology and modern languages over the course of 7 years. Since relocating, the Headquarters of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat has also shifted to Surrey; as a result, bringing the Head of the Community close to his students.
The current campus building used to be run as a hotel before it was acquired by the Ahmadiyya Community UK and established a boarding university for its students. It is located in Haslemere, Surrey, UK.
