Source/Credit: The Patriot-News Penn Live
By Mary Klaus | June 30, 2011
Nearly 10,000 Ahmadiyya Muslims will gather in the state Farm Show Complex this weekend for Jalsa Salana, a convention focusing on peace, patriotism and prayer.
The 63rd annual Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA convention will be held from 1:30 to 6:30 p.m. July 1, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. July 2 and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 3.
71MUSLIM.jpgDAN GLEITER, The Patriot-NewsFrom left, Mahmood Chaudhry of Harrisburg, Javed Bhatti of Swatara Township and Adnan Ahmad of Harrisburg take part in Friday prayers with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Harrisburg' mosque at the former Lakeside Lutheran Church in Harrisburg.
The conference will begin with prayer at 1:30 p.m. July 1, followed by a buffet luncheon. Dinner and prayer will follow the July 1 session.
“This is an annual gathering of spiritual rejuvenation,” said Saima Mumtaz, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community York/Harrisburg women’s auxiliary spokeswoman.
“Ahmadi Muslims come to connect with their faith and get a deeper understanding and to enhance their knowledge about Islam.”
She said that Ahmadi Muslims reject terrorism, violence and hatred.
Ahmadiyya Muslims believe that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, India is the long-awaited Messiah, the metaphorical second coming of Jesus and the divine guide whose advent was foretold by the Prophet Muhammad.
The community, whose motto is “Love for all, Hatred for none,” believes that Ahmad came in 1835 to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace.
Most American Muslims are Sunnis, who do not accept the Ahmadiyyas’ Messianic claims.
Conference sessions include “The Holy Quran on Trial: Our Verdict,” “Prayer – the Ultimate Pillar of Islam,” “Maintaining Morality in the Online World” and “The Islamic Concept of Freedom: The Prophet Muhammad’s Example.”
Mumtaz said that many Ahmadis came to the United States to flee religious persecution.
“We understand the significance of the words ‘freedom and justice for all.’¤” she said. “Loyalty to the country you live in is part of our faith.”
Akram Khalid, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Harrisburg president, said it’s significant to hold the convention during Fourth of July weekend because peace and patriotism fit in well with the Islamic faith.
“Our faith promotes peace for one’s soul, circle of family and friends, society and country,” he said. “Ahmadi Muslims exist in over 190 countries. All remain loyal and exemplary citizens to their countries of residence, some despite persecution.”
Khalid said the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Harrisburg, with more than 200 members, has made itself at home in Hadee Mosque in the former Lakeside Lutheran church at 245 Division St. in Harrisburg.
“It’s a beautiful house of worship,” Khalid said. “We are grateful to the previous congregation for a loving transition that provokes us in thinking that all houses of worship are God’s domain. We are trying to improve and enhance the building for our community.
“We hold many interfaith programs to build bridges and highlight similarities in Islam and other religions.”
Khalid said that Hadee Mosque has daily evening prayers, Friday prayers, weekly youth meetings focusing on moral training, weekly Quran classes, and monthly meetings and periodic retreats for various auxiliaries.
“We volunteer at blood drives and local food pantries,” he said. “We recently helped raise funds for the Silver Springs veterans Memorial. We also hold many interfaith programs to build bridges and highlight similarities in Islam and other religions.”
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA is the oldest American-Muslim organization in the United States. Worldwide, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has millions of members and more than 15,000 mosques, 500 schools and 30 hospitals.
On the Web www.muslimsforpeace.org
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