Islam

  • Ayesha Naseem Mirza, Walsall In school, we regularly learnt about the British values of respect, tolerance, democracy and freedom. Teachers drew constant attention to these values and how we should all try and emulate them in our daily life. It is only with more education, experience of the world and the way people and societies…

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  • Amna Shakoor, New Malden The moral upbringing of children is a cornerstone of societal health, echoing through generations and influencing broader social dynamics. The concept of the “domino effect” encapsulates how individual actions and values can set off a chain reaction, impacting not only their immediate environment but also the wider community at large. When…

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  • An Ijtema Connection

    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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  • Podcast 22: National Ijtema –  Elevate Faith and Sisterhood

    Fatiha Nadeem and Madhea Iqbal talk about the beneficial and uplifting Lajna UK National Ijtema experiences they have had as they look forward to our next Ijtema in two days!

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  • The Purpose of Ijtema 

    Maleeha Mansur, Hayes  For a Muslim woman, the purpose of all her gatherings is to ultimately draw closer to Almighty Allah. Indeed, ijtema serves as a great means to this end. Our beloved Imam and worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Khalifatul Masih V (may Allah be his Helper) has beautifully explained…

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  • The Ever-Changing Ijtema 

    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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  • Sameea Jonnud asks Lajna members to tell us of their special memories of Ijtema  Rearranging a glass cabinet recently, I positioned some shiny gold trophies with ‘Lajna UK National Ijtema’ written on them and thought back to when my daughters had received them after months of preparation. On the shelf below were some children’s books…

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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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  • Podcast 21: Immigration and Integration Unpicked

    Following the anti-immigration riots that swept across the UK some weeks ago Iffat Mirza Rashid and Nooresahar Ahmad talk about the disconnect they felt between the disorder and the tragic news story which appeared to have sparked it. They discuss their identity as British Muslim women of immigrant background, what integration really means to them…

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  • Lessons of Ijtema

    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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