Voice of British Muslim Women

Ayesha Naseem, Blackburn

A significant part of my childhood was spent in Pakistan, and it was during those years that the national and regional events of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the country were restricted due to the increased persecution and safety concerns.

So, witnessing the International Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the UK – also known as the Jalsa Salana – was a first for me. I had never quite experienced something like that before. Three days in a place where members of the Community gather from across the world to reawaken their faith, to show gratitude to Allah the Almighty for all the blessings and to make a renewed effort to concentrate and improve one’s spiritual growth. The Jalsa Salana is a demonstration of unity and togetherness that anyone unfamiliar with the Community would find astonishing and rare.

What’s so extraordinary is that even if you are not physically present at the Convention, watching its proceedings Live from home feels no different either. The emotions, the thoughts, and the feelings that one experiences at the Jalsa Gah – the Jalsa Site – are experienced by those watching from afar too.

But this incredible show of unity, the Community’s unwavering faith and the members’ aspiration to grow and improve spiritually would never be possible without the sheer Grace of Allah the Almighty, the fulfilment of His promises to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace), and the institution of Khilafat.

Explaining the purpose of the Jalsa Salana, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said:

“The purpose of the Jalsa was that the members of our Jamaat may somehow undergo a transformation by repeatedly meeting one another and that their hearts may be completely drawn towards the Hereafter and filled with the fear of God; they may become an example for others in righteousness, virtue, fear of God, goodness, soft-heartedness, mutual love and brotherhood; they may develop humility, humbleness and virtue and that they may instil a passion for religious endeavours.” [1]

From the first Jalsa Salana held during the time of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) to the ones that have taken place ever since under the leadership of Khilafat, the one central factor is unity. After the demise of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace), it has been the institution of Khilafat that has guided and shielded the Community at every step.

During his inaugural address at the Jalsa Salana UK last year, the fifth Caliph and the current worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper) said:

“Real glory and splendour are achieved when the attendees pay attention to bringing about a pious change in themselves and when they follow a permanent path of taqwa – righteousness…” [2]

The three days of the Jalsa Salana traditionally include a sermon and four addresses by the Caliph and one International ceremony of the Bai’at – the Pledge of Allegiance – at his hand. Essentially, with the guidance of His Holiness on how the Jalsa Salana should be organised and his continuous prayers for everyone involved to his blessed attendance at the Convention itself, Khalifatul Masih is at the heart of everything. As a guiding light, as a spiritual father figure, who is constantly encouraging his Community to excel, to do better, to be ambitious.

This encouragement for spiritual development, this guidance, and this unshakeable influence that the Khalifa has in uniting his Community is not limited to the Conventions he attends only. His Holiness gives the same love, the same prayers and the same amount of guidance and support to those countries where the Jalsa Salana is held without him gracing it. And those places see the same demonstration of brotherhood and unity and eagerness to learn and develop spiritually as places His Holiness graces.

Where else in the world do we find this unifying force and this unconditionally compassionate leadership? As for me, I see none. Among so many proofs of the truthfulness of Islam Ahmadiyyat and Ahmadiyya Caliphate, this is an example of just one of them.