Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra), Khalifatul Masih II, appealed to members of the Jamaat for Anjuman Taraqi-e-Islam after considering the recommendation of Majlis-e-Shura. He delivered an address on 12 April 1914 that goes by the title Mansab-e-Khilafat in which he highlighted the works of the Khalifa. 

The first obligation of the Khalifa which he mentioned was the promulgation and spread of Islam. The foundation of Anjuman Tarraqi-e-Islam was laid in this address. 

The sole purpose of this appeal was to lay the foundation of sacrifice in the hearts of members of the Jamaat and to create a platform that could be used to carry the true message of Islam to the corners of the Earth.

Huzoor (ra) named it Anjuman Taraqi-e-Islam on the basis of a divine vision and nominated Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), Hazrat Maulvi Syed Muhmmad Ahsan, Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Ali Khan (ra), Hazrat Hamid Shah (ra), Hazrat Maulvi Sher Ali (ra), Assitant Surgeon Hazrat Dr Mir Muhammad Ismail (ra), Hazrat Dr Khalifa Rashiddudin (ra), and Hazrat Haji Seith Allah Rakha Abdur Rahman of Madras (ra), as its members. 

Hazrat Maulvi Sher Ali (ra)was the secretary of this Anjuman and the fund Dawat Ilal-Khair was transferred to it. This Anjuman lived up to its name, Taraqi-e-Islam (the spread of Islam), with great responsibility until firstly Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya and then in 1945, Tahrik-e-Jadid Anjuman Ahmadiyya took up the responsibility of the propagation and promulgation of Islam Ahmadiyyat. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 4, p. 143)