USA: Ahmadi Muslims to meet at Harrisburg convention

“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.”

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: York Daily Record
Edited by Ahmadiyya Times | June 25, 2011

A three-day convention hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is expected to draw thousands to the farm-show complex in Harrisburg July 1 to 3.

The gathering aims to promote peace and educate Ahmadis, as well as other believers, organizers say.

Unlike most Muslims, Ahmadis believe that the long-awaited reformer has come in the person of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. The movement's founder is regarded as the promised Messiah. (Many mainstream Muslims consider this blasphemous.)


In the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community the Annual Convention - or Jalsa Salana, as the gatherings are affectionately called - are the hallmark of the community's zeal to continuously reform its members.

The institution of Jalsa Salana was established by the community's founder over a hundred years ago.

Explaining the purpose of the annual gatherings, Hazrat Ahmad wrote:

“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.”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, fastest growing international revival movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community spans more than 195 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is the first American-Muslim organization.

The founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat 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 Ahmadiyya Muslim 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 Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.

The Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex & Expo Center is at 2301 N. Cameron St. For details, visit jalsasalana.org or ahmadiyya.us.

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