Voice of British Muslim Women

Nabila Khalid, Bury

Friday at school would be spent repeatedly checking the clock in anticipation for home time. As soon as it was 3pm we would rush home, change, grab our bags (which we had packed and repacked weeks in advance) and head to the mosque where women and girls from around the region would take coaches and minibuses to the National Ijtema for Lajna Ima’illah and Nasiratul Ahmadiyya UK. 

The national Ijtemas have been a highlight on my annual calendar since as long as I can remember. Growing up I would eagerly await this exciting trip to the south of the country to spend two days and nights with others, refuelling our spirituality, and deepening the bonds of friendship and sisterhood on the way. 

My best friends, fellow mums, advisors and mentors are all girls I met and befriended at an Ijtema. Even aside from friends there would be so many ladies I have seen growing up, and despite not knowing their name, they have become familiar faces and role models – living examples of Islamic morals and principles. 

The standard of hospitality we experienced reminds us of the early history of Islam.

“During the time of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), when guests started arriving in large numbers, he would divide them between his companions, who would happily welcome them into their homes. In the morning, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) would ask the guests about their stay overnight and the hospitality of the companions. Each and every one would reply that we have never seen such hospitable hosts, who have fulfilled their due rights. ¹

Sometimes our coach would reach near midnight, or even later, but there would always be ladies on duty waiting to greet us; ladies who had families waiting for them at home, but nevertheless happily and voluntarily stayed to welcome the guests. A tea corner would already be set up with a kettle, microwave, milk, tea, and biscuits. Dinner would be available in case we hadn’t eaten en-route. Rows and rows of mattresses with beds made up would be ready for us. 

The atmosphere would be cosy, and we would huddle in groups, chattering away. However, an undisturbed night of sleep is only for heavy sleepers, as people could be arriving late in the night, travelling after school and work for up to 8 hours from as far north as Scotland. There would be babies, and children and the excitement and novelty of this massive sleepover could make it hard to settle down and sleep – we certainly learned patience and tolerance.

No matter how late we fell asleep, we would be up for Fajr Prayers or even better, pre -dawn Tahajjud Prayers, after making pacts promising to wake each other up. It was so pleasant to be awoken at dawn by the sound of Azaan (call to Prayer), something common in Islamic countries but not in the West. In the morning, before we got up, breakfast would be set up in the food area by more volunteers. 

As we got ready, girls scattered around the hall would practice their tilawat, speeches, and nazms. These girls had been preparing for months. They had attained first position in their local and regional competitions in order to qualify for participation at the national Ijtema. I qualified for the national academic competitions a couple of times, usually in extempore speech which had the shortest preparation and so less time for nerves! But girls as young as 7 would take to the stage with so much confidence, in front of judges and hundreds of women listening that I would always watch and listen in admiration. 

Despite not often being a participant I would still be so excited about National Ijtema. There is an air and atmosphere at these gatherings that cannot be described in words, only experienced. We never knew if we would be blessed with Beloved Huzoor’s (May Allah be his Helper) presence (until the last day of Ijtema) but whenever we would, it was the biggest highlight of the two day event. I also looked forward to our National President’s speech.  The passion and love with which she spoke, as if a mother to her favourite child meant her message hit deeply and imprinted straight on our hearts.

From these speeches and from Ijtema I always come away feeling motivated to become a better self, with so many fresh perspectives to take into consideration about things I had not previously thought of and so I look forward to future ijtemas with great anticipation.

1. Imam Ahmad bin Hanbalrh, Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 5, Hadith 15644 [Beirut, Lebanon: Alam al-Kutub, 1998], p. 357