On March 12th, 1966 Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III introduced the Waqfe Arzi scheme. The purpose of this project is to promote the learning and teaching of the Holy Quran as well as imparting religious knowledge to local members. Under Waqfe Arzi , at their own expense, thousands of Ahmadis are teaching Qur’an to the members, exhorting them to do good deeds and shun evil. The net result of this activity is that members of the Community are receiving religious education and moral training, which in turn is strengthening their character. The minimum period required for Short Term Dedication is two weeks at a designated place.

Essentially, The Waqfe Arzi department aims to prepare such members of the Ahmadiyya Community who are sincere, knowledgeable, and healthy for temporary dedication and to dispatch them to various destinations, especially to places where there is a need for the learning of the Holy Quran. Apart from this, the responsibility of focusing on the general teaching and moral training of people especially those who have newly converted. However much possible they should try to teach the Holy Qur’an, it’s translation, and the meanings of the verities of the Quran.

When this scheme was first launched, many members of the community readily answered the call of the Khalifa of the time by saying “Labayk” (we are here) and put themselves forward for temporary dedication. In reference to why this scheme was started, Hazur says:

“The main purpose of the Waqfe Arzi scheme is that members of the community should at their own expense voluntarily go to various Jama’ats and organise classes for the learning and teaching of the Holy Quran. The local Jama’ats should be so organised that they should willingly and happily take up the yoke of the Holy Quran upon their shoulders and set an example for the world.” (Daily Al-Fazl, 14th May 1966)