Cemal Inam, Thornton Heath
So, the blessed three-day journey has begun and what a start it has been. Despite the mud and the expected rain, Lajna Ima’illah are braving the conditions at Hadeeqatul Madhi to start the weekend, serving the guests of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him).
Many who have attended Jalsa Salana before are likely to be familiar with the proceedings of all three days. However, for many who are new to attending Jalsa Salana UK, here is a little guide on what has already happened on Day 1.
The proceedings of the Jalsa started off with the Friday sermon delivered by His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Friday is the holiest day in Islam as it is emphasised in the Holy Qur’an:
‘O ye who believe! when the call is made for Prayer on Friday, hasten to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off all business. That is better for you, if you only knew. And when the Prayer is finished, then disperse in the land and seek of Allah’s grace, and remember Allah much, that you may prosper. But when they see some merchandise or some amusement, they break up for it, and leave thee standing. Say, ‘That which is with Allah is better than amusement and merchandise, and Allah is the Best Provider.’ (Chapter 62, Verse 10 – 12).
Today, the Friday Sermon was delivered in a different venue, Hadeeqatul Mahdi, a farm in Hampshire which has been transformed only within a couple of weeks to a small village welcoming the tens of thousands of expected guests of the Promised Messiah (peace be on him). I have already seen so many enthusiastic and excited faces this morning pile through the security line and into the main marquee whilst remembering Allah the Almighty throughout it.
In today’s Friday Sermon, His Holiness provided guidance to both guests of the annual event and the thousands of volunteers who are helping with the running of the event. It is important for both the guests and the volunteers to understand and embody the purpose of the event which is to enhance your spirituality and connectivity with Almighty Allah.
Shortcomings can happen, and this is natural when you have an event this size, His Holiness mentioned. Nothing can be perfect, especially it being produced by us weak individuals. Individuals must not think that the events like Jalsa Salana are simply created by the efforts of volunteers, but are created through Almighty Allah. However, despite this, he mentioned that if guests can truly adopt the mentality that Jalsa Salana is like no other worldly festival but a spiritual convention, as is emphasised by the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) than they can easily overlook the shortcomings that may happen in this annual event.
For the duty workers, His Holiness reminded them the importance of smiling as he said previously on the Inspection of Jalsa Salana UK 2023:
“Whilst offering duties, every duty worker, whether senior or junior, must continue to keep a smile on their faces, as I mentioned in my Friday Sermon. Always remember that you must continually manifest the highest moral standards and manners and continually focus on offering prayers. Continually remain engaged in the remembrance of Allah the Almighty. May Allah the Almighty enable all of you to fulfil your duties in an outstanding fashion. Ameen.” [1]
Smiling whilst a simple gesture, can make someone’s day, especially at the annual event, where many come from all walks of life, many who have come to Jalsa Salana and many who are experiencing it for the first time. For those who experience it for the first time, the whole annual convention can be an overwhelming experience so a simple smile can make a person feel truly welcomed.
His Holiness further emphasised that gestures like smiling is not a one-time effort rather workers must maintain the spirit they have throughout the three days. They can do this through embodying the purpose of the convention through their actions, to enhance the educational and religious knowledge of everyone. This can be done through visiting the several exhibitions on including the Lajna Centenary Exhibition .
Following the Friday Sermon, thousands offered Friday Prayers behind His Holiness for the first time this Jalsa, a true start to a spiritual journey. After the concluding of Prayers, thousands piled into the food marquees to be served a delicious meal of either rice and lentil curry or pasta, a great fuel for all the volunteers helping to run this event and the guests as well.
The next session of the day has started, with the inaugural address delivered by His Holiness (may Allah be his Helper). But before that, the Flag Hoisting Ceremony took place where His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad hoisted the flag of the Community called the Liwa-e-Ahmadiyyat and the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK hoisted the Union Jack.
Flag hoisting is an important symbol for Jalsa Salana. All the flags displayed represent all the nations that are present during the three-day event. This year this has become ever so important as it is the first full scale and International Jalsa since the COVID-19 pandemic. The Liwa-e-Ahmadiyyat is hoisted alongside the Union Jack to emphasise the Community’s role in serving the nation. This importance of serving one’s country was emphasised by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him), he was reported to have said ‘Love for one’s country is part of faith’.
[1] https://www.pressahmadiyya.com/press-releases/2023/07/inspection-of-jalsa-salana-uk-2023-takes-place/
[2] https://www.alislam.org/question/do-muslims-have-loyalty-to-their-faith-before-the-country-they-live-in/
Voice of British Muslim Women 
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