Unaizah Ahmad, Chester
Under the soft summer sun of the English countryside, the vibrant green fields of Hadeeqatul Mahdi, Alton, are transformed into a global village every year, where thousands of attendees from various cultures and ethnicities gather to increase religious knowledge, spirituality, and foster a sense of community.
The purpose and history of this gathering is explained here
The Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Jalsa Salana, first held in 1891 in the small town of Qadian, India with 75 participants1, is now, with the expansion of the Community across more than 200 countries, held in various places around the world. Jalsa Salana UK has become an international gathering bringing together over 35,000 participants from more than 90 countries.2 Welcoming guests from all over the world including interfaith guests, parliamentarians, civic leaders, diplomats, and religious representatives, Jalsa UK is an ideal example of promoting unity, understanding, and cultivating mutual respect – values central to Islamic teachings.
Whether it is a Palestinian lady reciting an Arabic poem of the Promised Messiah (upon whom be peace)3, the President of Lajna Ima’illah Nigeria attending her first-ever Jalsa UK4, ladies from Latvia who have journeyed across countries to find out more about Islam5 or someone who is simply there in search for God – Jalsa UK is a place for people of all cultures, ethnicities, and beliefs, including those with no religion, to come together to exchange ideas, seek inspiration, and form lasting friendships.
In the days preceding Jalsa Salana, the 200-acre site6 is transformed into a tent city, and over 7000 volunteers, including children as young as 8 years old (often on water duty) take up various roles to host the guests during the three-day convention. Walking across the mini tent city, a symphony of languages can be heard, but the most frequently exchanged words that everyone comes to know are the salutations of peace, “Assalamu Alaikum.” Various cultural attires represent the rich diversity of attendees, and one thing everyone wears in common is a radiant smile, embodying Huzoor’s guidance to ‘keep on smiling.’7
Improvements are made to the Jalsa site year on year to make it inclusive for its diverse participants. Over 300,000 free meals are prepared, including South Asian and European cuisines, and a special food marquee is in place for those with dietary restrictions. Special facilities, like dedicated SEND areas and crèche, are also on site. Exhibitions, books stalls, and medical counselling, are all part of Jalsa UK, enriching the experience of attendees.
The keynote addresses of Huzoor* and speeches of the guests are broadcast live to millions of viewers and translated into many languages including English, Arabic, French, Russian, Turkish, Albanian, Bulgarian, Tamil, and Swahili.
A moving sight, a remarkable display of the unity that Islam seeks to foster is the International Bai’at. Followers and new converts from around the world who have gathered at the Jalsa, pledge allegiance at the hand of the Khalifa. A human chain is formed, connected to the hand of the Khalifa, as participants rest their hands on the shoulders of those ahead of them and in their own tongues, reaffirm their commitment to righteousness and the service of humanity. It embodies the golden principle of equality in Islam taught by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) 1400 years ago:
“Neither an Arab has superiority over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab. A white person is not superior to a black person one, nor a black is superior to a white. The most honourable among you in the sight of God is the one who is the most righteous.”8
In a world becoming increasingly fractured with divisions, people from various parts of the world, different nationalities and cultures, unite under the Hampshire sky to speak the language of love, practice the culture of service to humanity, and promote the message of peace, becoming a microcosm of global unity.
*Huzoor is the term Ahmadi Muslims use to refer to His Holiness, the fifth Caliph/Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community*
References:
Voice of British Muslim Women 
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