Kholood Tahir, London
In the realm of human achievement, across various fields, the pursuit of excellence has always been a driving force. Just as the Olympics brings together athletes from around the world to compete and showcase their skills, members of the auxiliary organisations of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community including Nasirat ul Ahmadiyya (girls) and Lajna Ima’illah (women), are well acquainted with their own rendition of such events – the Ijtemas. These gatherings happen annually on a local, regional and national level; they foster spiritual growth and religious knowledge whilst serving as a unifying platform where individuals come together to share, learn, and engage in friendly competition across a diverse spectrum of activities.
In the Holy Quran 2:149 it is mentioned: “And every one has a goal which dominates him; vie, then, with one another in good works. Wherever you be, Allah will bring you all together. Surely, Allah has the power to do all that He wills.“ [1]. From this we learn the importance of striving to excel and doing the best that we can to achieve righteousness and religious knowledge. Ijtemas are an example of how this can be achieved. From the recitation and memorisation of the Holy Qur’an and speeches on a myriad of topics to the insightful and interesting talks by AMRA (Ahmadiyya Muslim Research Association) and AMWSA (Ahmadiyya Muslim Women Students’ Association), and the showcasing of talents in poetry and artistic exhibitions, ijtemas collectively cultivate excellence across a wide array of fields offering countless benefits to participants and listeners alike.
There are many ways ijtemas encourage excellence. Firstly, they nurture talent. Ijtemas provide a platform for individuals of all ages to showcase their skills and talents. Be it recitation of the Qur’an, public speaking, poetry, or art, ijtemas encourage participants to refine their abilities and share them with others. Secondly, they promote skill development; through the rigorous preparation required for competitions, participants get the chance to enhance their skills. Whether it’s researching, practicing, or honing their techniques, the process of gearing up for a competition is an intensive learning experience for all participants. Thirdly, they provide a confidence boost. Competing in front of an audience or a panel of judges boosts self-confidence. The experience of presenting in front of others, regardless of the outcome, equips participants with valuable life skills such as effective communication, articulation, and poise under pressure.
Therefore, the benefits of ijtemas are manyfold. Ijtemas promote all-around development by allowing participants and listeners alike to enhance on their religious knowledge and to excel in areas beyond their immediate comfort zones. Another benefit is character building; the process of preparing for and participating in competitions instils virtues like perseverance, discipline, and humility. These qualities contribute to the development of crucial life skills that are also applicable to academic and professional contexts. Furthermore, ijtemas also foster motivation and inspiration; listening to the inspiring address of His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad (May Allah be his Helper) and witnessing the talent and dedication of others can serve as a powerful source of motivation. Competitions at ijtemas encourage individuals to aim higher and put in the effort required to achieve their goals.
By providing opportunities for participants from a young age to excel and grow, ijtemas continue to be a driving force behind the pursuit of excellence every year. The skills Nasirat and Lajna acquire and refine through ijtemas often serve as an invaluable advantage for them for the rest of their lives, empowering them to overcome challenges and excel in all spheres of their personal, spiritual, academic and professional lives in their mission to be true nation builders.
With 2023’s National Ijtema of Lajna Ima’illah and Nasirat ul Ahmadiyya here in the UK fast approaching, the following words of His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad (May Allah be his Helper) at a previous Ijtema encapsulates the goals and level of excellence we must always try to achieve: “In every respect, we must follow the teachings of the Holy Quran and consider it our guiding light. We must observe the standards of worship stipulated in the Holy Quran. We must act upon the methods of remembrance of Allah that have been given in the Holy Quran. We must adopt every Quranic instruction to the best of our abilities. Then we will attain the rewards and nearness of Allah the Almighty and we will fulfil the rights of our Bai’at of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him).” [2]
Voice of British Muslim Women 
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