Voice of British Muslim Women

Bareera Ghaffar, Birmingham

As the white tents and marquees are erected and the Ahmadiyya flag is raised high, many Ahmadis eagerly anticipate the three days of the blessed Jalsa Salana or the annual convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community here in the UK. For these three days the whole world comes to a pause, and we are transcended into a world enveloped by spiritual bliss, peace, and harmony. During those three days nothing outside Hadeeqatul Mahdi, Garden of the Mahdi, our UK Jalsa Salana site, matters and there is only one focus, there is only one focal point and there is only one place one’s heart yearns to be, and that is with the Khalifa of the time, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (may Allah be his Helper).

Due to the pandemic, for the past two years the annual convention has been unable to take place in its usual capacity, with this knowledge the air is mixed with excitement and deep emotions for the whole community as we gather and stand together shoulder to shoulder and Pray behind the Khalifa, the Successor of the Promised Messiah and Mahdi (on whom be peace) who was prophesied to come by the beloved Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him).

The first Allahu- Akbar – Allah is the Greatest- raised on this Jalsa site moved all hearts present, and we were all be behind our leader as one supplicating to our Lord.

The way in which the force generated by aligned atoms creates a magnetic field, the same way the presence of the Khalifa at Jalsa creates the same magnetism and electricity that connects people from different tribes who may have otherwise never met. Yet, in the countryside of Alton they meet and have a strong and unique brotherhood based on mutual love, loyalty, and devotion towards the Khalifa. The love and loyalty one has towards the Khalifa is one that exceeds all, it is what makes one stay steadfast in one’s faith and hold on to the rope of brotherhood that unites us all. The very system of Khilafat created by Allah is one rooted in obedience and preservation of Islam and its teachings. Therefore, a bond with the Khalifa of the time is crucial in one’s spiritual enhancement. I must emphasise the Khalifa is there as a guiding light and wherever one is, they must search for this light and partake in the blessings and the sanctuary of brotherhood that accepting the Khalifa provides.

To believe in Allah, is to believe in and obey the Khalifa as he is the Successor of Allah’s Messiah and Mahdi on this earth. Allah continually shows His love, grace and mercy to mankind and the presence of Khilafat is an example of such. Allah loves unity, and this sense of spiritual unity can only be achieved through the divine institution of Khilafat.

Hence, to be in the presence of the Khalifa of the age generates a deep sense of oneness and the divinely inspired brotherhood and sisterhood that comes with it. The main aims of the annual convention as laid down by the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi, His Holiness Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (on whom be peace) are to increase one’s communion with Allah the Almighty, to pray for those brothers who have passed away, to meet new members and increase in brotherhood and to gain and increase in knowledge; this should be ones aims and objectives in attending and being in the presence of Khilafat.