Ijtema
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What really holds us together in a world designed to pull us apart? Saira Bhatti, Slough We live in an era of infinite connection – notifications, followers, viral trends – and yet never before have so many of us felt so… untethered. The rope that binds isn’t likes or retweets. It’s not an algorithm. It’s a lifeline you can’t see. A rope of faith. The Quran gives the blueprint in one verse: “And hold
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Zohaa Qasim Roehampton “And hold fast, all together, by the rope of Allah” (Chapter 3: Verse 104) is the theme of this year’s Lajna Ima’illah UK National Ijtema, graciously approved by His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper) current worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. “In today’s world, at every turn and corner, rampant materialism and
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Sameea Jonnud, Hampshire The national ijtema has been a regular fixture in the lives of Lajna and Nasirat who attend every year. Many years ago it took place in a small hall in London but now it has become more like a mini Jalsa with marquees spread over a Hampshire field. Day two begins chilly
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Nooresahar Ahmad, Hampshire ‘What is history?’ asked the second Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Mirza Bashir-ud-Deen Mahmood Ahmad (may Allah be pleased with him), in an address at the inauguration of a women-only college in Rabwah in 1951. ‘History,’ he asserted, ‘tells you who your father was, who your paternal grandfather was,
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Fezia Haq, Fazl Mosque Contrary to the criticism levelled at Islam that it prescribes segregation of genders, it is in actual fact a blessing of Khilafat or Caliphate within the same religion, that this separate venue has meant that Ahmadi Muslim women and girls get to be the direct recipient of our spiritual leader’s attention
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Munazzah Chou, Farnham Ijtema in the ‘90s as a young nasirat (member of the girls’ auxiliary) was all about the academic competitions; recitation and memorisation of the Holy Quran, memorised speeches – and nazm (poem) for those who could hold a tune – sadly not me! Preparation for ijtema competitions start months in advance, working
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Iffat Mirza, Raynes Park The value of knowledge cannot be underestimated in the Islamic faith. In chapter 67, verse 4-5 of the Holy Qur’an it is written: ‘No incongruity canst thou see in the creation of the Gracious God. Then look again. Seest thou any flaw? Aye, look again, and yet again, your sight will
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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
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Maleeha Mansur, Hayes “Allah has made you brethren one to another, so be not divided. An Arab has no preference over a non-Arab, nor a non-Arab over an Arab; nor is a white one to be preferred to a dark one, nor a dark one to a white one.” (The Holy Prophet – peace and
Voice of British Muslim Women 