Voice of British Muslim Women

Zohaa Qasim, Putney Heath

For as long as I can remember, September has always meant one thing – Lajna’s National Ijtema.

I’ve been attending the National Ijtema since I was a child and a feeling that never goes away is excitement. I looked forward to the competitions if I was participating, the exhibitions and activities – I remember listening to talks and leaving truly inspired and grounded in my faith even if I did not always understand their significance in the way that I do now – but perhaps most importantly I loved to make friends from across the UK. However, as I have grown older and become more immersed in the Community, I’ve come to realise that Ijtema is much more than an annual gathering. In my experience, it has become a place of spiritual realignment where I find a chance to reflect and remind myself of why I am here and what my purpose as an Ahmadi woman is.

The theme emphasised in this Ijtema is Taqwa, which means righteousness. His Holiness Khalifatul Masih V (may Allah be his Helper) reminds us:

“Every single one of us ought to safeguard themselves against every evil and one must use all their faculties to act upon every good deed..” – Friday Sermon 26th March 2004, Khutbaat-e-Masoor, Vol.2, p.220

Growing up as a young person in a world where our attention is constantly being pulled in a plethora of different directions this is something I found particularly powerful. Taqwa, righteousness, can often feel a bit abstract but this year we are reminded that it is something that should shape our everyday choices. The programme for this year reflects this perfectly through talks such as “Taqwa in the Digital Age and Social Media” which answers the question of how do we use technology in such a way where it doesn’t dictate who we become but can be used as an opportunity to spread the message of Islam. The panels discussing “Can Faith and Reason Coexist?” and “Is there a Conflict Between Being a Muslim and a Loyal British Citizen?” are just a few of the many that I am particularly looking forward to. As someone looking to start university this year, hearing from AMWSA and gaining advice from women who have navigated university life creates a space where questions that are especially relevant to young British Muslim women can be addressed.

But of course Ijtema is not only about listening but about Tilawat, Hifz-e-Quran, Nazm[poetry], speeches, quizzes and Bait Bazi competitions that remind us to develop ourselves intellectually and spiritually in an enjoyable manner. It is powerful to see women and girls of different ages come together and learn from each other and celebrate each other’s achievements.

That is what I have to come appreciate the most about Ijtema – thousands of women and girls gathered together for a special reason representing unity and inspiring faithfulness to Allah the Almighty. The real value of Ijtema is in what you take away from it as well as how you let it shape the rest of your life. May Allah enable us all to carry that sense of purpose. Ameen.