Cemal Inam, Thornton Heath
The media for many years has been quick to label Muslim women as ‘oppressed, meek, silent victims’ but if anyone attends an Ijtema, an event run exclusively by Ahmadi Muslim women and attended by Ahmadi Muslim women and girls, their assumption would quickly be contradicted. That is why for as long as I can remember my mum has always taken me and my sisters to the National Ijtema which takes place every year, when circumstances allow it, to show us that Muslim women are not what the media label us to be.
Every aspect of the National Ijtema is exclusively run by Muslim women, which continues to inspire me many years on. Many take time off from their day jobs, school, and university to volunteer for the success of this event. From a young age I found that the strongest women I knew, were Ahmadi Muslim women. We tend to talk about strength in relation to one’s physical characteristics, but these women exude spiritual strength. They sacrifice their time and effort for no monetary gain or worldly fame but to make events like the Ijtema accessible for everyone to gain their knowledge whilst stepping closer to Allah the Almighty. Roles can include serving food, cleaning the premises, providing hospitality to guests, or providing top notch security – the list is endless.
In the concluding address of Lajna Ima’illah Ijtema UK in 2017, His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Current Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, may Allah be his Helper, stated “From an administrative perspective, this Ijtema has been organised and run by women from start to end, and they will have made a programme that is attuned to the needs and preferences of our ladies and girls. Hence, this Ijtema is a collective and practical demonstration of the great status bestowed upon women by Islam.” [i]
And that indeed is shown when the Ijtema is taking place just a month after Jalsa Salana, where equal love and dedication was shown. It is clear to say Ahmadi Muslim women and girls never get tired of showing their dedication rather their work happens all year round.
Their work also continues during a global pandemic. The two-year delay of hosting a full scale National Ijtema due to the COVID-19 pandemic only made me feel more inspired by these women because a pandemic was not going to stop them encouraging others to increase their knowledge. Presentations to increase our understanding around a variety of subjects continued via Zoom, including a series of health webinars such as what to know about COVID-19, how to boost your immune system, awareness about breast and cervical cancer and many more. The same drive and passion for these subjects were used as though we were all sitting in one room.
In fact, Islam emphasises the education of both men and women as “Allah will raise those who believe from among you, and those to whom knowledge is given, to degrees of rank” [ii].
Another national event where many increase their knowledge is Jalsa Salana. Jalsa Salana was held here in the UK just over a month ago and I know I am not the only one to say this, but I am still experiencing the ‘Jalsa blues’. Meeting both familiar and new faces whilst also stepping close to Allah the Almighty is what I miss the most about the annual convention. Ijtema, thus provides us with another three-day event reuniting the people we saw during the annual convention from across the UK to increase in our spirituality and knowledge.
Therefore, it clear to say that the Ijtema provides good company to reunite with. In fact, in Chapter 4 Verse 126 of the Holy Qur’an it states “And who is better in faith than he who submits himself to Allah, and he is a doer of good, and follows the religion of Abraham, the upright? And Allah took Abraham for special friend.” Allah the Almighty makes it clear that one should keep good company, those who do good and who submit themselves to Allah. Ijtema creates bonds among many empowered women, those who lift each other up, support each other and are there for each other whenever they need it. As someone who has attended countless Ijtemas in my lifetime I will say this; the friendships you create during Ijtema will be long-lasting as they are held with the bond of Khilafat and that indeed is the strongest bond.
[ii] Holy Qur’an, Ch 58: V 12
Voice of British Muslim Women 
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