Guatemala: Ahmadiyya Muslim Community hosts 21st annual convention with US delegation in attendance

“Remember that Jalsa is full of spiritual benefits and rewards. You should derive maximum benefit from this gathering. You should inculcate love and regard for each other and your other fellow human beings." [Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad]

Flag hoisting ceremony and prayers

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: AMC Guatemala | Ahmadiyya Times
By Imran Jattala | November 27, 2010


Guatemala City: Many dignitaries from North America and elsewhere descended on Baitul Awal Mosque to attend the Jalsa Salana (annual convention) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (AMC) of Guatemala.

Since its inauguration in 1989 this is the 21st annual convention being organized at the Baitul Awal Mosque in the suburbs of Guatemala City.

The convention started with the Friday prayers on November 26 and the proceedings will continue until Sunday.

The traditional flag hoisting ceremony was held at the start of the program, which was led by Imam Daud Hanif of USA and Imam Sattar Khan of Guatemala.

Imam Daud Hanif, who traveled from the United States, presided over the first session of the convention.


Imam Hanif welcomed attendees to the convention and read a special message from His Holiness, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the worldwide spiritual head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in London.

Hadhrat Ahmad sent very special greetings for the attendees of the 21st annual convention of Guatemala.

“May Allah make this gathering blessed in all respects,” Hadhrat Ahmad stated in his message. “May every member of the Jama’at [community] benefit greatly from its blessings.”

Imam Hanif read the message in its entirety conveying the words clearly and passionately.

Part of the message of His Holiness said:

“Remember that Jalsa is full of spiritual benefits and rewards. You should derive maximum benefit from this gathering. You should inculcate love and regard for each other and your other fellow human beings. You should listen attentively to all the speeches and discourses and try to absorb the spiritual food which is offered to you. You should increase your prayers and remain engrossed in Istighfar and the praises of Allah.”

A delegation arrived from the United States

Imam Daud Hanif is part of the delegation from the United States and elsewhere that arrived here along with Dr. Waseem A. Sayed of Chino Hills, California; and Imam Mohammad Zafrulla Hanjra, an Ahmadiyya Muslim missionary from Baitus Samee Mosque in Houston, TX.

“We are very happy with the growing community and the conditions here are very favorable for the spread of the Ahmadiyya message of ‘Love for all, Hatred for none’, said Dr. Waseem A. Sayed, who is attending the convention on a special invitation.

Dr. Sayed serves as the country director for Humanity First - Guatemala, an international disaster relief organization that recently facilitated Gift of Sight, an eye camp in Guatemala.

In the upcoming program the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Guatemala, Maulana Abdus Sattar is scheduled to chair the sessions of the convention.

The Baitul Awal Mosque was first inaugurated in 1989 by Late Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, the 4th Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Community at the time.

Arranging of the annual conventions, more affectionately known as Jalsa Salana among the members of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, is a tradition adopted everywhere to promote brotherhood and unity. The gatherings provide opportunities for the members to listen to the special messages from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, the spiritual head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the discourses by the learned members of the community.

The very first Jalsa Salana of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was held in 1892 in Qadian, India, under the guidance of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Stating the purpose of the Jalsa Salana, Hazrat Ahmad wrote in a brochure distributed on December 7, 1892: “The primary purpose of this Convention is to enable every sincere individual to personally experience religious benefits; They may enhance their knowledge and –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...”

-- Aliya A. Latif of AMC media relations contributed to the story.
-- Photos: Imam Mohammad Zafrulla Hanjra
 -- By Ahmadiyya Times - exclusive