Source: Baitul Hameed Mosque & India Post News Service
By JS Bedi | December 21, 2009
LOS ANGELES (Baitul Hameed Mosque, Chino, CA): The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been holding its Annual Conventions, known as 'Jalsa Salana', in different parts of the world for over 100 years. This year marks the 24th Jalsa Salana West Coast, USA. Members from 11 chapters spanning from as far north as Seattle, Washington down through Oregon, California, Nevada, and Arizona will make the Journey to the Inland Empire, where for the first time in many years, the convention returns to the Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino.
The event is set to begin on Friday, December 25 2009 and go on until Sunday, December 27, 2009. Attendance is estimated to top 1000 this year, as members of the community from as far as Washington DC, Cleveland, Chicago, and even Canada are expected to attend.
Many of the community's national office holders will be in attendance including the National Vice Presidents of the Community, and the newly appointed Missionary In-charge USA, Mr. Naseem Mahdi. Mr. Mahdi will address the audience on Sunday speaking about the Holy Prophet Muhammad and his service to Humankind.
The purpose of the three day convention as laid out by the founder of the community, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, is to enable every sincere individual to personally experience religious benefits and so that they may enhance their knowledge.
Topics this year range on a vast number of issues including, Calling people to God and how to best convey the Message of Islam. Women will also have their own session, in which dealing with today's recession will be addressed. The national president of the community's women's auxiliary, Dr. Shenaz Butt is also expected to address the gathering.
About the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, spans over 190 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1921, is the first American-Muslim organization.
The community is an embodiment of the benevolent message of Islam in its pristine purity. Wherever the Community is established, it endeavors to exert a constructive influence of Islam through social projects, educational institutes, health services, Islamic publications and construction of mosques. Despite being bitterly persecuted in some countries Ahmadi Muslims have earned the distinction of being a law abiding, peaceful, steadfast and benevolent community.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long-awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad.
The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad's advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Islam of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam's true and essential teachings.
The convention is open to all irrespective of religion, nationality and ethnicity.
As expected there is a lot of excitement in the community and Imam Shamshad of the Chino Mosque cannot stop smiling. There will be important discourses on issues related to world peace, respect of other religions, equality of human beings, enviorenment, role of women in society and a host of other important matters.
Talking to India Post, Imam Shamshad welcomed the timing of this convention….." It is an auspicious time of the year. We have so many festivals going on. Hannukah for the Jewish people, Sikhs celebrate the birthday of Sri Guru Nanak Dev Ji and Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and then there is Christmas. It is a time of celebration for all mankind" he said.
Read more here - JS Bedi, India Post News Service
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