USA: Thousands of faithful Muslims flock to Harrisburg for convention

Along with its spiritual purpose, the convention also offered a more social side as it provided two meals a day for roughly 7,000 guests. It also had opportunities for vendors to set up shop and share their goods with the community.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: ABC 27 - WHTM
By Jennifer Rizzi | July 5, 2011

Thousands of Ahmadiyya Muslims flocked to the Farm Show complex right here in Harrisburg to celebrate their faith in the group's largest annual gathering - the Jalsa Salana.

 Meaning "annual convention," the weekend-long Jalsa Salana was a time for prayer, evaluation, and reflection.

"We spent the whole day talking about how we might focus on prayer," said Saliha Malik, president of the group's women's auxiliary.

 But the event wasn't an exclusive one - these followers made it clear that their convention is also a time to reach out and show others what their faith is really about.


 "We want to tell the greater American audience, very emphatically, that Muslims are for peace," said Ahmad Chaudhry, spokesman for the Almadiyya Muslim community. "To be a good Muslim, you have to be loyal to the country you live in."

 The group hopes to dispel negative stereotypes about their faith that spread quickly after 9/11.  Two campaigns - Muslims for Peace and Muslims for Loyalty - organize outreach efforts to the greater community. They try to connect with non-Muslims door to door or through public announcements, hoping to undo what they see as misinformed prejudice.

 "We're trying to get the word out about what Islam really is," Chaudhry said. "There has been so much controversy in the media recently- especially about terrorism and other things that Muslims have been accused of."

 Valerie Bhatti is a recent convert to Islam, and a midstate native who was born and raised near Harrisburg. Now, she's happy to bring the message of her newfound faith back to her own hometown.

 "Harrisburg is already pretty diverse, and there is a lot of culture here," she said. "So it's good to add to that already-diverse culture and spread a faith that I believe is true."

 Along with its spiritual purpose, the convention also offered a more social side as it provided two meals a day for roughly 7,000 guests. It also had opportunities for vendors to set up shop and share their goods with the community.

 This isn't the first time that the Jalsa Salana has been at the Farm Show complex – it was held here several years ago as well. Leaders said they brought it back because they had such a positive previous experience.



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