By A. Abdul Aziz, Press Secretary, 

 The 53^rd Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the United Kingdom concluded on Sunday 04 August 2019 with faith inspiring addresses of his five speeches. by the World Head the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad. 

The Convention began on Friday with the traditional Friday Sermon and the first session started with raising of the black and white flag of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community alongside the Union Flag. On Saturday (the second day of the event), the Caliph conducted proceedings from the ladies marquee where 15,000 Muslim women witnessed.  His Holiness awarded prizes to women for academic achievements and delivered a speech highlighting the solution for peaceful married life based on the rights and empowerment Islam affords them.

More than 39,000 people from number of countries attended this three day Convention ( Jalsa Salana), which took place at Hadeeqatul Mahdi in Alton, Hampshire.

 Apart from the thousands of Ahmadi Muslims who participated, many non-Ahmadi and non-Muslim guests also attended.  The entire event was also broadcast live on MTA International and streamed online.

 One of the highlights of the three-day Convention was the pledge of allegiance, known as Bai’at that took place on Sunday afternoon, {last day of the event} where the participants pledged allegiance to Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad as the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph) of the Promised Messiah – Hazrat Mirza Ghlam Ahmad(peace be upon him).

 The participants formed a human chain leading to the Khalifa as they repeated the words of the pledge in unison.

 Prior to the ceremony, His Holiness announced that 668520 people had joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community during the past year representing 120 countries around the world. He also announced that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was now established in 213 countries. The event concluded with silent prayer led by His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.