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| Photo: Al-Islam |
Source/Credit: Germantown Islam Examiner
By Shahina Bashir | July 6, 2011
The 63rd Jalsa Salana, the Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community concluded on July 3, 2011. The event which commenced on July 1, 2011 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, Harrisburg, was attended by 5,800 delegates from all over the country. Prominent government officials joined the leaders of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the oldest Muslim organization in the USA, to celebrate American and Islamic ideals of freedom.
The Jalsa Salana was initiated by the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, in 1891. According to him the purpose of this convention is "to enable every sincere individual to personally experience religious benefits." He further said, "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 reformist movement within Islam. The Community was established in 1889 in Qadian, India. It spans over 190 countries and has membership exceeding tens of millions. It is the only Islamic organization which believes that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian is the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Distinguished guests who addressed the convention included Martha Kanter, Under Secretary for the U.S. Department of Education, Tim Lenderking, Director of the Office of Pakistan Affairs at the U.S. State Department, and Linda D. Thompson, Mayor of Harrisburg. Special video messages were shared by U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-12-CA), U.S. Congressman Jim McDermott (D-7-WA), U.S. Congressman Michael Honda (D-15-CA) and Farah Pundith, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's Special Representative to Muslim Communities.
This year, the Community presented its inaugural 'Ahmadiyya Humanitarian Award' to three individuals who selflessly strive to assist oppressed and disadvantaged communities around the world. The honorees included, Jackie Speier (D-12-CA), member of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nina Shea, Commissioner for the United States Commission for International Freedom, and Veerawit Tianchianan, Executive Director, Thai Committee for Refugees Foundation.
In response to the ignorant actions of Pastor Terry Jones of Christian Dove Outreach Center, FL regarding the trial of the Quran, Imam Mubasher Ahmad of Silicon Valley, CA, spoke to remove the misconceptions that prevail amongst non-Muslims about the Muslim Holy Scripture.
"The Quran is a book that has been misunderstood. There have been vicious attacks on the book. But our job as Muslims is to present it the way it is. The truth should be manifested. Misunderstanding of the Quran has to be removed," Ahmad said.
Faheem Younus, the National Secretary for Education of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, spoke about how to guard oneself against harmful trends. He assured his audience that there is no contradiction between being a Muslim and an American.
"Don't steal taxes. Respect the constitution of this beautiful country. Be a loyal citizen- that's very American. Don't have to follow the crowd. Let the crowd follow you- that's very American," Younus said.
In keeping with the Islamic teaching of "purdah" (segregation of the genders), the men and women had separate areas. The women were able to listen to the speeches through audio speakers set throughout the hall. A projection screen was set up by the stage so that the speakers could be seen through audio/visual feed. The women had their own parallel session on Saturday.
The Jalsa Salana, as explained by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be upon him) is an opportunity to meet people and strengthen the ties of brotherhood and sisterhood. During the session breaks, the delegates took the time to socialize with family and friends while browsing around the various booths.
Uzma and Henna Khan, two sisters, traveled to Harrisburg with their brother and grandparents. It took them seven hours to drive from Columbus, Ohio. They have been attending the conventions for more than twenty years. They love to attend these conventions because it is an occasion to meet family and friends whom they haven't seen for a long time.
Uzma Khan, a high school French teacher said, "It's cool to have connections and frienships that don't die out."
Henna Khan, a student at Ohio State University, comes to the convention for the inspiring speeches.
"Overall the speeches were spiritually uplifiting. They make you stop and think about what you are hearing," Khan said.
Ayesha Ahmad, president of the women's auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's Harrisburg chapter, moved to the area four years ago. It is the second time that the Jalsa Salana was held at the Farm Expo Complex. Ahmad has attended several conventions, but added that there was something special about the 2008 convention which was held at the same place.
"One of the big salient features was that the Community's Worldwide Spiritual Leader, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the fifth Caliph, was here. His presence gave a different ambiance altogether- there was a bigger production," Ahmad said.
Wajeeha Choudhry, a senior at Temple University, Philadelphia, noted that the end of the convention brings blissful sorrow.
"We are happy that it ended beautifully but sorry to leave everyone," Choudhry said. "You meet people you haven't seen all year long," she added.
Saliha Malik, the national president of the women's auxiliary, delivered the keynote speech on Saturday during the women's session, on the topic of Prayer. She exhorted the members of the Community to the proper observance of Prayer.
"As Prayer is at the root of our spiritual journey, all other matters of faith are lifted up by our consistent and proper observance of Prayer. Therefore, we need to guard our Prayers so that they will guard us, and help us always progress in Taqwa- in love and fear of Allah," Malik said.
Read original post here: Muslims come together to spread the message of peace
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