Voice of British Muslim Women

Jalsa Salana UK has come to a close, with guests departed and workers winding up. Let’s look back on the days of Jalsa and focus on a few messages sent by Lajna.

Sofia begins by describing the smaller moments of Jalsa.

Much of Jalsa is remembered through what can be seen or heard most clearly. The speeches, the programme, the crowds gathered beneath the marquees, yet it’s spirit often lives in smaller moments. It’s in the hand extended to steady someone, in a glass of water passed from young hands to older ones, and in the friendships formed whilst volunteering through long days. These gestures may disappear almost as soon as they happen, but together they reveal the care in which Jalsa is built.

Before the crowds arrive, Jalsa feels suspended in a brief kind of stillness. The marquees hold rows of empty chairs, the grass is cool beneath hurried footsteps and voices carry softly between departments as volunteers begin to take their places. Radios crackle, lanyard shift against freshly pressed clothes and somewhere nearby laughter breaks through the early morning quiet. It’s only for a moment; soon the grounds will fill with movement, conversation and colour but for now Jalsa is still becoming.

Melissa texts the friend she’s planning to meet.

Salaam love, how are you 💜

Looking forward to seeing you this weekend, I’ll be loaded with snacks & sticker books for the kids! I’ll meet you under the tree, usual time and place. 🌳

I’m looking forward to Sunday, I am bringing guests to Jalsa for the first time so I’m looking forward to showing them the exhibitions & their reactions to the langar food. It’s so fun to see Jalsa through the eyes of someone who’s never experienced it before. The Bai ‘at is always my highlight, so many thousands join the faith every year and it’s so emotional & special to see.

My plan is to head on site and:

– make sure my translation piece is working

– get some wristbands for the kids so they don’t get lost

– visit the bookstall to check for new publications

– pop in to Humanity First for ice cream 🍦

– sit for proceedings & soak up the atmosphere.

Our house is full of guests and love at the minute, family have come from all over to stay & visit. They serve in different departments, in hygiene cleaning toilets, accommodation, Humanity First, outreach, car park & security duty & those serving guests and speaking with the media. Of course don’t forget the ones holding it down with the kids too. 

Please remember everyone in your prayers, they work so hard & they always have a smile.

Have a safe journey down – remember to bring your refillable water bottle & fan 🪭 it’s going to be a hot one ☀️

Lots of love, see you soon insha Allah xx

Bushra tells us why this Jalsa is extra special for her personally.

It’s always such a special feeling arriving and seeing everything come to life. This Jalsa is extra special for me because it’s the first time in many years that I’m not on duty. Ever since my daughter was little I’ve always been busy serving during Jalsa, and now she’s 17 so this year I’m really looking forward to just spending the day with her, walking around together, listening to the proceedings, meeting friends and family, enjoying the bazaar and simply just taking in the beautiful atmosphere.

To be honest, as much as I’ve loved serving over the years it’s a lovely feeling to experience Jalsa from a different perspective, this time as a guest rather than a host. So I pray that everyone attending, whether you’re on duty or here as a guest has a blessed and spiritually uplifting Jalsa. May Allah accept everyone’s efforts and allow us to leave with a stronger faith, cherished memories and hearts full of gratitude.

Mariyam looks forward to meeting different people and escaping the outside world.

Once again I will see the long awaited Jalsa because I always look forward to meeting people from all across the world; what a time it is! I’ve been coming to Jalsa even when I wasn’t living in the UK so it’s always a special time for me; now that I live in the UK it is even better. Usually I love to stay at the accommodation, and it’s so nice because over the years I’ve seen how it has improved so much.

This year is even more special having the 60^th Jalsa Salana UK. I’ve seen somebody from the Netherlands where I used to live and it is really nice to be in a place where you can see so many people from different countries, different backgrounds and it’s an amazing atmosphere. The lovely thing about it is how people are tolerant to each other, the sisterhood and brotherhood is amazing. Now that I’m living in the UK I’ve been volunteering and this year I’m welcoming the guests who have been invited to Jalsa. I’m originally from Ghana and so to see somebody I’ve not seen for a long time coming to Jalsa is just amazing for me.

Jalsa is like leaving the outside world to come and enjoy something that makes my heart feel at peace.

The Jalsa programme, sights and sounds, reunions with old friends and an escape from the outside world; this year’s Jalsa may be over but has left us with memories and the anticipation for next year.