Voice of British Muslim Women

This year the Jalsa Salana of our Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the annual convention, held in Hadeeqatul Mahdi – the Garden of the Mahdi – in the rolling hills of Hampshire was a unique event to say the least. After 18 months of a pandemic, the likelihood of an event which usually hosts nearly 40,000 attendees from across the world, was not favourable. Nonetheless, by the grace of God, and guidance of the His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the event was adapted to comply with the necessities a global pandemic forces upon us. But the pandemic was not the only obstacle: the weather was less than optimal, with heavy showers, the farmland quickly turned into mud. Donning their facemasks and wellington boots, the volunteers were neither intimidated by the restrictions in place due to the pandemic, nor the weather conditions. For most, it was an opportunity to see and Pray behind our beloved Imam after such a long time, and this alone was enough to motivate the volunteers across departments including hygiene, audio-visual teams, first-aid, and security, amongst many more.

One volunteer, Lubna Waheed, said:

‘The most memorable experience this Jalsa was seeing His Holiness at the inauguration ceremony after such a long time. It was very overwhelming and my heart was overjoyed with happiness and motivation for my duty during the next three days at Jalsa. His Holiness’ address in the ladies session was so powerful and full of clarity on the rights and status of women. It reminded us of the beauty of Islam and further strengthened my faith in my religion, a religion that is the most perfect in every single aspect, Alhamdollillah (all praise belongs to God)’.

Sharing similar sentiments, Sadaf Waheed reflected that ‘Being able to be in the presence of His Holiness after such a long time was the most incredible experience. His Holiness’ address was so beautiful and the highlight of my Jalsa. It was such an empowering and strong speech which clearly highlighted the true rights of women. Another highlight of my Jalsa had to be being able to offer Prayers behind His Holiness, something we have all been eagerly waiting to do for a very long time.

I was really grateful to be able to do duty and it reminded me of how much I missed this all and how many blessings there are in serving the Community. It was a truly humbling experience and an experience I will never forget.’

The pandemic had certainly meant volunteers reflected on their role and indeed, their desire to once again be able to participate in a Community event. Naveed al Fatah Noor spoke of such yearning:

The Jalsa experience this year has been different than the usual. The pandemic has been challenging for everyone. First I was feeling a bit apprehensive about going to a crowded place, but knowing in my heart that His Holiness prayers are with us all, gave me a sense of satisfaction. It was really nice to see our Community come together after a long time. Everyone was enthusiastically performing their duties like always but this time with extra precautions. I feel really blessed to serve our Community and lucky to be a part of such an amazing team. Every step I walked felt like a good deed. Alhamdollillah, these Jalsa days have been a glimmer of hope that Insha’Allah very soon we would be able to conduct Community events like normal.

Of course, with COVID restrictions, for many it was uncertain if they will be able to attend the Jalsa in person. Faiza Usama spoke of such apprehension and how her usual team needed to be adapted.

‘The fact that Jalsa Salana was going to happen this year was definite but ‘will I be able to go’ and ‘will get a chance to serve’ were the big questions. All departments were informed to carry out their Jalsa preps as advised. I felt very emotional when I was told that as the in-charge of my department, I could only suggest five people to be on my team this year.

Every single sister’s face was in front of my eyes and it was really difficult to decide whom to ask for help. (Especially as each of them were ready to sacrifice their time and leave children home to serve the Community). But the moment of happiness and joy was when I met the sisters who normally do duty at Jalsa each year. They were still invited to attend on various days. My heart felt gratitude and peace and praised Allah that even though they were not with us at the book stall, where I serve, we were able to meet and greet each other. Jalsa is not only the source of immense spirituality but a bond of sisterhood which is shared & enjoyed by all of us. Alhamdollillah ’.

As well as being a Community event, the Jalsa is also an opportunity for deep personal reflection and understanding. Reflecting on her own circumstances, Amtul Qayum spoke of how Jalsa was a cause for hope and courage.

‘Jalsa Salana 2021 has been a very blessed one for me, Alhamdollillah. It has given me an opportunity to freshen up my mind after the death of my beloved son Zeeshan Ahmad in April last year. I was going through depression and just feeling down all the time. But Alhamdollillah, finally being able to attend the Jalsa after two years and gaining the blessing of Khilafat by serving the guests of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) gave me extra strength to perform my duty with the hygiene team throughout the Jalsa days. A few days before the inauguration I was a little hopeless that if I’ll even be able to do duty due to the age restriction for duty holders but I continued to pray that may Allah give me an opportunity to serve the Community this Jalsa. When I spoke to the national president of Lajna, she told me that I could come and do duty as I was 62 years old and fitted into the age criteria for this year’s Jalsa. Alhamdollillah, Alhamdollillah,  Allah has always listened to my prayers. I did not feel tired, or have any negative feelings during these blessed days of Jalsa and it was indeed all because of prayers and the blessings of Khilafat Alhamdollillah. May Allah accept our service to the Community. Ameen.’

Jabeen Sethi penned a few verses glorifying God – SubhanAllah – as a beautiful way to reflect upon the magnificence of the three days, despite the difficult weather conditions

‘The sun shows its face from behind the dark clouds

As soon as The Khalifa closes his speech

And it is calm again – SubhanAllah

The rivers of Hadeeqatul Mahdi curve and bend through the muddy fields

Making the whole of Hadeeqatul Mahdi a unique work of art

The pool of rain drops make it challenging for boots and wellingtons to manoeuvre

But there is laughter and smiles as eventually there is release from the mud and a continuation of the journey to the Gah- SubhanAllah

Finally the moment arrives

My heart misses a beat as I say my first Allah O Akbar behind my beloved Khalifa

My master, whose prayers, wisdom and guidance complete me.

The rain, wind, mud and sunshine all drift in the background and became secondary – SubhanAllah

The rain brought clouds on us for a long period but today was a ray of sunshine

The sunshine that promises to return our little flowers and a healthy, strong crop next year- SubhanAllah.’

Even simply the news of hearing that Jalsa would go ahead this year was enough to cause excitement. Rehana Nasir describes her sentiments from the moment she heard the news.

‘I can’t express enough how happy I was when His Holiness announced there would be a Jalsa this year, I could not contain my excitement, it was overwhelming and I thank Allah for allowing us to have Jalsa after 1 long stressful year. The year we missed Jalsa felt as if I had lost a big purpose in my life. Being able to attend Jalsa again gave me a great feeling of hope, joy and happiness and it was very much needed.’

Ruhana Mahmood reflected on how many of us had been taking Jalsa for granted and how this Jalsa was indeed a humbling experience, after having missed it for just one year:

‘It’s humbling to be enabled to attend and serve during the 3 days of Jalsa due to sheer Grace of Allah. The 3 days, which passed in a blink of an eye, for which we have been impatiently waiting for the last year or so. We have been yearning to have a glimpse of our beloved His Holinesson the ladies side, to listen to his life changing addresses and to observe congregational Prayers behind him.

I hope and pray that each and every one of us has achieved the true purpose of Jalsa, so that may Allah enable us to reap its blessings and we truly become the recipients of the prayers the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) said for the attendees of the Jalsa Salana. Ameen.’

Dear reader, indeed, one common thread amongst all the testimonies before you is that no volunteer was deterred by the obstacles before us. Old and young alike, served with the same passion as any other year, if not more. The pandemic and the rain were only more reason to serve with increased humility, passion, and gratitude. Such is the teaching of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, sacrifice and hospitality is at the forefront of the teachings of Islam, and the Jalsa Salana, in the words of the volunteers themselves, is a manifestation of such teachings.