By A. Abdul Aziz,Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at, Sri Lanka.

Sri Laanka Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at holds its Annual convention (Jalsa Salana) today (Saturday the 23^rd October 2010) at Ahmadiyya Jubilee Hall, Periyamulla,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Negombo under its National President A.H. Nasir Ahmad. Ahmadi Muslims throughout the country are attending this one day convention. The Representative from the Ahmadiyya Supreme Head (Khalifa) is the Guest of Honour on the occasion.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ CDs in Tamil recorded from Tamilan TV Programs being conducted by Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at, Chennai (Every Sunday at 8.00 a.m.) on topics of Islamic Unity lies on Khilafat (re-establishment of Spiritual Leadership in Islam), the definition of a Muslim,ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in the eyes of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (a.s.), Hidden story of Jesus Christ, Jihad by pen and the truth of Imam Mahdi ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ (a.s.) etc are to be displayed on the sales centerƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  on this occasion.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Objectives, Purposes & Blessings of the Convention (Jalsa Salana) In the Words of the Founder of the Community – The Promised Messiah (Peace be on him)

Purpose of the Convention (Jalsa Salana)

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-The primary purpose of this Convention is to enable every sincere individual to personally experience religious benefits; They may enhance their knowledge and ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…”due to their being blessed and enabled by Allah, The Exalted- their perception [ of Allah ] may progress. Among its secondary benefits is that this congregational meeting together will promote mutual introduction among all brothers, and it will strengthen the fraternal ties within this Community..ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
(Ishtihar 7 Dec. 1892, Majmoo`ah Ishtiharat Vol. I, Page 340).

Not an Ordinary Convention

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-It is essential for all those who can afford to undertake the journey, that they must come to attend this Convention which embodies many blessed objectives. They should disregard minor inconveniences in the cause of Allah and His prophet (peace be upon him.). Allah yields reward to the sincere persons at every step of their way, and no labour and hardship, undertaken in His way, ever goes to waste. I re-emphasize that you must not rank this convention in the same league as other, ordinary, human assemblies. This is a phenomenon that is based purely on the Divine Help, for propagation of Islam.”
(Ishtihar 7 Dec. 1892, Majmoo`ah Ishtiharat Vol. I, Page 341)

Prayer

ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…- I conclude with the prayer that everyone who travels for [attending] this Convention that is for the sake of Allah: May Allah, the Exalted, be with him, reward him in abundant measure, have mercy on him, ease up for him his circumstances of hardship and anxiety and eliminate his anguish and grief. May He grant him freedom from every single hardship and lay open for him the ways of [achieving] his cherished goals, and raise him up, on the day of Judgment, among those of His servants who are the recipients of His blessings and Mercy. May He be their Guardian in their absence until after their journey comes to an end. O Allah! O Sublime One and Bestower of bounties, the Ever Merciful and One Who Resolves all problems, do grant all these prayers, and grant us Victory over our opponents with scintillating signs, because You alone have all the prowess and power. Aameen! Aameen!!ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
(Ishtihar 7 Dec. 1892, Majmoo`ah Ishtiharat Vol. I, Page 342)

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Islam was founded in 1889 in a small town Qadian, in Punjab, India.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Its founder, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) claimed to be the Promised Reformer of the age.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Ahmadiyya Muslim Community stands for the brotherhood of mankind and tries to establish peace on earth through love, persuasion and tolerance.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  It is a spiritual Community and has no political agenda.