by A. Abdul Aziz, Press Secretary – AMJSL.

Britain Largest Islamic Convention concludes. 217168 people had joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community during the past year from around the world.

The Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the United Kingdom concluded on Sunday 30^th July 2023 in which 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 (28 July 2023) with the traditional Friday Sermon and the raising of the black and white flag of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community alongside the Union Flag. He delivered the inaugural address in which, he explained the purpose of this convention by quoting the writings of Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, the Promised Messiah and Imam-al-Mahdi (peace be on him). Promised Messiah explained that a grand purpose of convention – Jalsa Salana is that the attendees are able to attain taqwa (God-fearing and righteousness, after which they will attain closeness to Allah, traverse His path, and ultimately be diligent in His worship. The Promised Messiah did not merely tell his Community members to attain taqwa (God-fearing); with great fervor and pain, he showed them the paths of attaining taqwa in accordance with the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The Promised Messiah would always say that if the root of taqwa (God-fearing) was present in someone, they had everything, Ahmadiyya Khalifa added. He went on to say, that, Ahmadiyya Founder also said that one is not a God-fearing if they merely stay away from the very basics, such as stealing or looting. Staying away from these ills is not a great feat; rather, true goodness is that one helps Allah’s creation and is ready to give his life in the cause of Allah. 

On Saturday (29^th July, the second day of the event), the Caliph conducted proceedings from the ladies marquee. Names of women for academic achievements were read out.

In the event, His Holiness delivered a speech in which he urged Ahmadi women to emulate Prophet Muhammad’s female companions from which the Ahmadi women could attain great examples. Ahmadiyya Khalifa put some incidents on the life of female companions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and said these examples show the love these female companions had for Allah, Islam, and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) as well as their great examples of sacrifice, charity, and even the upbringing of their children.

On the second day of the event, Ahmadiyya Khalifa delivered address reflecting on Allah’s blessings upon the Community during the past one year.

One of the highlights of the three-day Convention was the pledge of allegiance, known as Bai’at that took place on Sunday afternoon (30 July 2023), where the participants pledged allegiance to Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad as the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph) of Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. This is the 30^th International Bai’at Ceremony in the United Kingdom.

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 217168 people had joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community during the past year from around the world.

During the concluding Session on Sunday (30^th July 2023) it was read out the names of Ahmadi students who had achieved academic excellence over the year. Mr. Rafiq Ahmad Hayat, Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at UK, introduced the recipient of the 2023 Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Peace: David Spurdle.

Joel Turenne, Advocate and Director, Judiciary Affairs at the Religious Ministry in Haiti, presented a plaque to Ahmadiyya Head Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah Strengthen his hands).

Short speeches were delivered by Distinguished Guests. Greetings on Video Messages shown and text messages were read out.

A special message from King Charles to the attendees of the Convention) Jalsa Salana UK 2023 was then read out by Mr. Rafiq Ahmad Hayat, Amir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at UK. It reads:

BUCKINGHAM PALACE.

Please convey my warmest thanks to the Members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community U.K. for their loyal greetings sent on the occasion of this year’s Annual Convention, which is being held today, 28^th July until 30^th July, at Hadeeqatul Mahdi, Oaklands Farm, Hampshire.

I much appreciate your message and value your continued support.

The forthcoming conference is an event of considerable significance, being the first of its kind    in some time. I was interested to learn that His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad is scheduled to attend and address the convention each day during this three-day event.

In return, I send my warmest good wishes to you all for a memorable and enjoyable event”

Charles R.

28^th July, 2023.  

In his concluding address on Sunday evening (30 July 2023) Ahmadiyya Khalifa explained in depth how Islam empowers poor and needy.

41,654 people from 118 countries including Sri Lanka attended this three day Convention (Jalsa Salana), which took place at Hadeeqatul Mahdi in Alton, Hampshire, United Kingdom.

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.