MTA International

Last updated

MTA International
TypeNon-profit
Country
International
AvailabilityWorldwide
Motto Reaching the Corners of the Earth
Headquarters Baitul Futuh Studios
OwnerAl-Shirkatul Islamiyyah
Launch date
January 7, 1994 (1994-01-07)
Official website
mta.tv

Muslim Television Ahmadiyya International (MTA), a globally-broadcasting, nonprofit satellite television network and a division of Al-Shirkatul Islamiyyah, [1] was established in 1994 [2] and launched the world's first Islamic TV channel to broadcast globally.[ citation needed ] It serves as the official media outlet for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, based in Islamabad, Tilford and funded entirely from donations by the members of the community. The network operates ten 24-hour channels for different regions of the world, including terrestrial TV as well as satellite television. [3]

Contents

History

The idea of a medium for the live broadcasting of media in the Ahmadiyya community takes its root in March 1989 when the community in Mauritius, followed by the community in Germany would dial the Fazl Mosque in London to listen to the caliph's Friday sermon over a telephone call. The sermon would be listened on loudspeakers of the mosques in the respective countries. This encouraged the communities of other countries to also dial in every Friday, overwhelming phone lines. [4]

Initial Launch

This led to the inception of Ahmadiyya Muslim Presentation (AMP) in January 1992 which would broadcast the weekly Friday sermons, and in 1993, the first Jalsa Salana to be broadcast live. [4] This became the first TV channel run by the Ahmadiyya Muslim community as well as the first TV channel to broadcast Islamic programmes globally. Initially, the studio and video library shared a 10 by 10 ft (3.0 by 3.0 m) room in the Mahmood Hall of Fazl Mosque equipped with a single video camera and "few ordinary flood lights". The programming for AMP gradually increased until 7 January 1994, when AMP was rebranded to MTA and increased its daily broadcasting hours from four to 12 hours, and in April 1996, to 24 hours. [5]

MTA 3 Al-Arabiya

On 23rd of March 2007. MTA 3 Al-Arabiya was launched, which was an entirely Arabic channel, primarily for viewers of the Middle East. [6]

MTA Africa

On 1 August 2016, MTA Africa 1 and 2 were inaugurated by Mirza Masroor Ahmad, [7] [5] broadcasting programmes in African languages as well as programmes from MTA 1. [5] In September 2024, MTA Africa became a member of the African Union of Broadcasting after having applied in 2022. [8]

2020 era

From 27 May 2020, known as Khilafat Day for Ahmadis, MTA rearranged its channels according to regions and introduced new channels. These new channels were formerly MTA1 broadcasting on different satellites, converted to cater viewers of specific regions by broadcasting programmes in specific languages for each region. MTA 1 on Galaxy 19 became MTA8 HD AMERICA with programmes in Urdu, English, French and Spanish. [9]

Changes to MTA Channels
ChannelsSatellite(s)FormerlyRegion
MTA1 World Astra 2G

Hipasat 30W-5

MTA1 Americas (excluding Brazil & Canada)

Europe

MTA2HD Europe Hotbird 13C (HD) MTA2 Europe

Middle East

MTA3 العربية Eutelsat 7 West A

Galaxy 19 (HD)

Hotbird 13B

Optus D2

Palapa-D

MTA3 Europe

MENA

North America

Oceania

Southeast Asia

MTA4 Africa SES-5 MTA Africa 1 Sub-Saharan Africa
MTA5 Africa Astra 2F MTA Africa 2 West Africa
MTA6 Asia AsiaSat 7 MTA1 Asia

Oceania

MTA7HD Asia Eutelsat 70B (HD) Europe

Middle East

South Asia

MTA8HD America Galaxy 19 (HD) North America
MTA8HD America + 3MTA 1+3

Channels

MTA runs 10 channels 24/7:

Worldwide

Europe and MENA

Africa

MTA Africa-based content is typically produced in the various African studios, such as the Wahab Adam Studios, based in Ghana. [11] [12] There are 4 African channels as part of the MTA International network:

Asia

Americas

Members

The majority of its workers are volunteers with just a small percentage of paid full-time staff. Out of the 300 staff members that work in MTA's London offices, 90% are volunteers who dedicate their time to assist in the running of the network. [11]

Online Media Services

MTA has introduced a number of apps for the benefit of their viewers across a variety of platforms on all devices such as TV, Phone, Tablets, Desktops etc. The network also makes use of social media to live stream their channels on websites such as Facebook and Twitter as well as YouTube to broadcast all four channels, live.

In addition, as MTA International operates globally and in many different countries, many countries (where Ahmadiyya may have a significant or even minor presence) have their own official MTA YouTube channel for their specific region or language, which allows them to stream regional events that may not be broadcast on MTA but may be streamed on YouTube such as Jalsa Salana Canada was streamed on the YouTube channel MTA Canada, as well as this, it allows specific countries to stream live translations for key programmes such as the Friday Sermon.

There are also applications for mobile and personal devices on a variety of platform such as Roku TV, Apple TV, Android and iOS. On 2 August (at Jalsa Salana UK 2019), a range of MTA applications were launched for Smart TV brands such as Samsung, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Panasonic, LG, Sony and Philips.

National Studios

In most countries throughout the world in which there is a presence of the Ahmadiyya Community there is often a national MTA Studio. For example, MTA International USA Studios, [18] MTA International Canada Studios, [19] MTA International German Studios, [20] [21] MTA International Nigeria Studios, [21] MTA International Ghana Studios, MTA International UK Studios etc. The primary and main MTA Studios is based in London, MTA International Studios. [22]

The headquarters and UK studios of MTA International were located at Fazl Mosque, London when it was launched and are now located inside two larger studios built within the site of the Baitul Futuh Mosque Complex in South London, United Kingdom.

Photos

Related Research Articles

Rabwah, officially known as Chenab Nagar, is a city in Chiniot, Punjab, Pakistan on the bank of Chenab River. It was the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community from September 20, 1948 when the community relocated from Qadian, India to the newly created state of Pakistan, where the community bought the area of present-day Rabwah from the government to establish its home. This continued until 1984 and the establishment of Ordinance XX. In 1984, the headquarters were moved to the United Kingdom with Mirza Tahir Ahmed, first to London and then in 2019 to the Islamabad compound in Tilford, Surrey.

Religious broadcasting, sometimes referred to as faith-based broadcasts, is the dissemination of television and/or radio content that intentionally has religious ideas, religious experience, or religious practice as its core focus. In some countries, religious broadcasting developed primarily within the context of public service provision, whilst in others, it has been driven more by religious organisations themselves. Across Europe and in the US and Canada, religious broadcasting began in the earliest days of radio, usually with the transmission of religious worship, preaching or "talks". Over time, formats evolved to include a broad range of styles and approaches, including radio and television drama, documentary, and chat show formats, as well as more traditional devotional content. Today, many religious organizations record sermons and lectures, and have moved into distributing content on their own web-based IP channels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baitul Futuh Mosque</span> Mosque in Morden, London, England, United Kingdom

The Baitul Futuh is a mosque complex of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, situated in Morden, London. It is one of the largest mosque complexes in Europe. Completed in 2003 at a cost of £15 million, entirely from donations of Ahmadi Muslims, the Mosque can accommodate a total of 13,000 worshippers. The main mosque has a height of 23m above ground, and to maximise capacity the building extends below ground. Baitul Futuh is located in the south-west London suburb London Borough of Merton. It is situated next to Morden South railway station, 0.4 miles from Morden Underground station and one mile from Morden Road tram stop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mirza Tahir Ahmad</span> Ahmadiyya spiritual leader (1928–2003)

Mirza Tahir Ahmad was the fourth caliph and the head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He was elected as the fourth successor of the founder of the community, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. He was elected on 10 June 1982, the day after the death of his predecessor, Mirza Nasir Ahmad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mirza Nasir Ahmad</span> Ahmadiyya religious leader (1909–1982)

Mirza Nasir Ahmad was the third Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community from Pakistan. He was elected as the third successor of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad on 8 November 1965, the day after the death of his predecessor and father, Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad</span> Ahmadiyya religious leader (1889–1965)

Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad was the second caliph, leader of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the eldest son of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad from his second wife, Nusrat Jahan Begum. He was elected as the second successor of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad on 14 March 1914 at the age of 25, the day after the death of his predecessor Hakim Nur-ud-Din.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mirza Masroor Ahmad</span> Spiritual leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Mirza Masroor Ahmad is the current and fifth leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. His official title within the movement is Fifth Caliph of the Messiah. He was elected on 22 April 2003, three days after the death of his predecessor Mirza Tahir Ahmad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bay'ah (Ahmadiyya)</span>

Bai'at or Bay'ah is an Islamic practice of declaring on oath, one's allegiance to a particular leader. In an Islamic religious context, this oath is the standard procedure of pledging allegiance to a religious leader. It is known to have been practiced by the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his successors (caliphs) after him with those wishing to join the Islamic community. Within the Sufi tradition the term is used to refer to the process of initiation into a Sufi order with the idea of commending oneself to a spiritual master in exchange for the spiritual and moral guidance imparted by him. The Bay'ah is a practice that also forms a notable feature within Ahmadiyya Islam. Following the death of a Caliph, the leader of the Community, a pledge of allegiance is taken by the newly chosen Caliph from members of the Community based upon this prophetic model and the bay'ah is the standard procedure for formally joining the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cape Town TV</span> Community television channel in South Africa

Cape Town TV is a community television channel that broadcasts in Cape Town, South Africa. It launched in September 2008 with a one-year, "temporary" license and thereafter won another such license in September 2009. It is a non-profit organisation that is licensed as a community broadcaster in terms of South Africa's Electronic Communications Act.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jalsa Salana</span> Annual gathering of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Jalsa Salana is a formal, annual gathering of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. It was initiated in 1891 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the community, in Qadian, India. Usually, the gathering spans three days, beginning with the flag hoisting ceremony following the Friday Sermon. Although the convention held in the UK is deemed to be the major and 'international Jalsa' attended by Ahmadis from across the world, Ahmadis in other countries hold their own national Jalsas, sometimes attended by the Khalifatul Masih.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTA1 World</span> Muslim television channel

MTA1 WORLD or just MTA1 is the first television channel of the MTA International satellite network. It was launched on 1 January 1994 and was a continuation of AMP or 'Ahmadiyya Muslim Presentation'. After the launch of sister channels, the channel was renamed as MTA1. However, it is still loosely referred to as MTA or MTA International.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Promised Reformer Day</span> Festival celebrated by Ahmadi Muslims

The Promised Reformer Day is celebrated by Ahmadi Muslims annually on 20 February in remembrance of the prophecy concerning the birth of an "illustrious son" to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad whom the Ahmadis regard as the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, and its fulfilment in the person of Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad, the second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. It is not a celebration of Mahmud Ahmad's birth which occurred on 12 January, but rather the commemoration of the prophecy and its fulfilment in his person.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamia Ahmadiyya</span> Islamic theology school

Jāmi’ah al-Ahmadīyyah is an International Islamic seminary and educational institute with campuses in Pakistan, United Kingdom, India, Ghana, Canada, Germany, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Malaysia, In addition, there are affiliated Mu'alimeen centers in Pakistan, Nigeria, Kenya, Sierra Leone Madagascar and some other countries. This historical institute was founded in 1906 as a Section in Madrassa Talim ul Islam by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, it is the main centre of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for Islamic learning.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ahmadiyya in the United Kingdom</span> Islamic movement in the United Kingdom

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was established in United Kingdom was established in July 1913 as one of the oldest Islamic associations in the UK. The community has built its presence with the establishment of significant sites such as The London Mosque in 1926. Over the decades the community has grown and become known for its annual convention the Jalsa Salana, interfaith dialogues and humanitarian efforts. The UK has also served as the headquarters of the community since 1984 currently in Islamabad, Tilford, in Surrey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Abdul Rahim Dard</span> Writer, political activist (1894–1955)

Abdur Rahim Dard, known as A. R. Dard was an Ahmadi Muslim writer, missionary, and political activist for the Pakistan Movement, who served as the Imam of the historic Fazl Mosque, the premier gathering place for Indian Muslims regardless of denomination in London. He is known for convincing Muhammad Ali Jinnah to return to British India and fight for the Pakistan Movement.

<i>Al Hakam</i> (newspaper)

Al Hakam is an English-language, Islamic newspaper, published weekly by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Islamabad, Tilford</span> Muslim community site in Surrey, England

Islamabad, in the village of Tilford, Surrey, England, is an estate which serves as the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Islamabad is 10.4 hectares in area, where four hectares are used for headquarter buildings, offices and residential housing. It is the resting place of Mirza Tahir Ahmad, the fourth caliph of the community.

MTA Ghana is a 24-hour Islamic TV channel that was launched by the MTA International network, the first country-exclusive channel by the network, and based in Accra, Ghana. It is broadcast on the terrestrial platform and airs content in a number of local languages like Twi, Fante and Hausa. The channel, which is operated by the Wahab Adam Studio, is run by 17 full-time staff, and over 60 volunteers for various departments.

References

  1. "Term of Use". MTA. 21 March 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  2. Muslim networks and transnational communities in and across Europe. Stefano Allievi, Jørgen S. Nielsen. Leiden: Brill. 2003. p. 188. ISBN   1-4175-0674-1. OCLC   55505632. This 24-hour TV channel based in London is owned by the Ahmadiyya and has been transmitting via satellite and the Internet since 1994.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  3. Tahir, Ataul Fatir (2 July 2021). "MTA: Embodiment of a grand prophecy – Hazrat Khalifatul Masih addresses MTA International Conference 2021" . Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  4. 1 2 Anjum, Naseer Ahmad (3 January 2022). Khalifatul-Masih IV. Islam International Publications Ltd. ISBN   978-1-84880-998-7.
  5. 1 2 3 "Meet the Men and Women Working at MTA". Review Of Religion. 24 July 2017. Archived from the original on 30 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  6. 1 2 "Friday Sermon - Veritable Mission of the Promised Messiah (as)". www.alislam.org. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  7. "Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community launches MTA International Africa TV Channel". Khalifatul Masih. 2 August 2016. Archived from the original on 27 September 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  8. Salawu, Saheed (6 September 2024). "Muslim Television Ahmadiyya joins African Union of Broadcasting". Tribune Online. Retrieved 30 October 2024.
  9. "27 مئی، یومِ خلافت سے ایم ٹی اے کے نئے دور کا بابرکت آغاز" [27 May, Khilafat Day, marks the new blessed era for MTA]. Al Fazl (in Urdu). 29 May 2020. Archived from the original on 13 June 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  10. "Starnieuws - Ahmadiyya Suriname wil met tv-zender bruggen slaan" [Ahmadiyya Suriname wants to build bridges with TV channel]. www.starnieuws.com (in Dutch). Retrieved 30 July 2022.
  11. 1 2 "MTA is the official television network of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community". AMJ International. Archived from the original on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
  12. "MTA Ghana should be the best studio and channel in Africa: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih gives detailed guidance to MTA Ghana Studios". Al Hakam. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  13. "MTA Africa Launch Ceremony" . Retrieved 22 December 2017.
  14. "MTA Africa Launch 2016".
  15. "Ghanaian Ahmadis to benefit from new terrestrial TV Channel". GhanaWeb. 17 January 2021. Archived from the original on 17 January 2021. Retrieved 18 April 2023.
  16. Hakam, Al (3 June 2022). "Ahmadiyya Football League in the Gambia" . Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  17. "خلافت احمدیہ کا ایک عظیم الشان اور تاریخ عالم کا منفرد تحفہ: MTA کاسفر-ایک پھول کے عالمی چمن بننے کی داستان". الفَضل انٹرنیشنل (in Urdu). 20 July 2024. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
  18. "MTA USA (@NationalMTAUSA) | Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  19. "MTA International, Canada Studios - Live Stream". mtacanada.tv. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  20. "MTA International German Studios | Muslim Television Ahmadiyya". www.mta-tv.de. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  21. 1 2 "MTA German Studios (@mtatvdeGlobal) | Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 27 November 2015.
  22. "MTA (@muslimtv) | Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 27 November 2015.