The Familiar and Intimate, Local Celebrations

Fezia Haq, London.

Since its inception, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been fortunate to achieve many milestones, in line with God’s promises to the Messiah & Mahdi, His Holiness Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be upon him). One of many promises God made to him was:

“People will come to you from distant lands and the victory from God will descend upon you.” [Tadhkira, page 403]

We have marked a number of centenaries, such as in 1989, we celebrated 100 years of the worldwide Community, in 1991 we marked hundred years since the first Annual Convention in Qadian, in 2008, we commemorated the centenary of the institution of Khilafat (Caliphate) and in 2013, we celebrated our hundred years in the UK since the first Ahmadi Muslim missionary arrived here in 1913.

Currently, we are expressing thankfulness for our Ahmadi Muslim women’s auxiliary organisation, Lajna Ima’illah, est. 1922 – the first auxiliary organisation of our community to reach the century mark. Though 100 is just a number,  getting to it has been a journey of remarkable sacrifices and dedication of countless Ahmadi Muslim women all over the world who came before us.

From an initial 14 members in December 1922 in an Indian village, we are now celebrating this organisation in  cities all over the world, places which were once seen as difficult to reach, as well as in remote places of the world that were once unheard of.

In 1922, women’s rights were still scarce in the West, let alone in developing countries. Stricter cultures even limited celebrations for some. Yet today, we Ahmadi Muslim women across the globe are displaying the rights given to us by our religion, by local chapters marking this brilliant occasion of growth with prayers and jubilation.

With these smaller scale celebrations, each member of Lajna Ima’illah is reminded that though she is part of something big, her role within her limited sphere is important, her membership valuable and the Lajna sisterhood is her strength. By organising, reflecting on and enjoying centenary celebrations, it is clearly expressed that Islam allows us to spread cheer, whilst balancing this with gratitude to our Lord.

Sentiments experienced at these occasions also draw our attention towards the future. And so, Lajna Ima’illah hopes and prays that these celebrations motivate the will for bigger achievements in the next century, and beyond, inshaAllah

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