Jalsa Salana
Encyclopedia
Jalsa Salana is a formal gathering of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
initiated by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
, the founder of the community who also claimed to be the Promised Messiah and Mahdi of the latter days. Usually, the gathering spans over three days, commencing on Fridays when the Friday Sermon
ends and the Flag Hoisting ceremony begins. The event takes place in many of the countries where the Community is established.
announced under divine inspiration that he was the Promised Mahdi awaited by the Muslims and in the same year he decided to hold the first Jalsa Salana under divine inspiration. Thus, the first annual convention was held from 27th to 29th December in Qadian
, and it was attended by 75 members. In 1907, 2000 members participated in the Jalsa Salana, which was the last one to be attended by the founder of the Community. In 1983, over 200,000 members participated in the last Jalsa Salana to be held in the city of Rabwah
.
He also said:
, if present, hoists the flag of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. After the ceremony, members of Khuddam-ul Ahmadiyya
will stand in front of the two flagpoles in order to symbolise the honour and defence of the nation and faith. This continues until the Jalsa ends, although such activity is not carried out throughout the night.
This is immediately followed by an address of the Khalifatul Masih. The program continues until Sunday evening with several speeches on spiritual and moral concepts, by the Khalifatul Masih, but also from the National president, Imams and other Islamic Scholars. Often the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
invites several distinguished non-Ahmadi guests to give a short speeches. The television station of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, MTA records most of the speeches and broadcasts them live, usually only if the Khalifatul-Masih present.
The most important part of this event is the performance of five daily prayers
in congregation. The ceremony of the International Bay'ah is typically only held in the international Jalsa Salana.
Since all the speeches will be simultaneously translated into several languages, most visitors including those who are foreign can easily listen and understand them easily. Outside the normal sessions, many other facilities are available, including exhibitions, libraries, bookshops, medical counselling inc. homeopathy
and other shops.
The funding for the Jalsa Salana comes from the voluntary donations of Ahmadis. Everyone, including Ahmadis and the guests that they bring with them, are, according with the Islamic tradition, hosted free of charge. Meals are also provided free of charge.
migrated to the newly created Pakistan and settled in Lahore
. Thereafter, in 1948, the Community found a tract of arid land and thereupon built the town of Rabwah
. The community had been holding its annual convention since then. The attendance grew remarkably reaching over 200,000 participants in 1983.
On 26 April 1984, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the President of Pakistan, issued the anti-Ahmadiyya Ordinance XX
, which effectively prohibited Ahmadis from preaching or professing their beliefs. The ordinance, which was supposed to prevent "anti-Islamic activities," forbids Ahmadis to call themselves Muslim or to "pose as Muslims." This therefore prevents Ahmadis to participate in their annual conventions.
.The Convention was attended by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mirza Masroor Ahmad on two occasions; 2004 followed by 2008. In 2008, as in 2004, the Caliph toured many countries of West Africa. However, the tour in 2008 was distinctively known as the 'Khilafat Centenary' tour, for the reason that 100 years have passed by 2008 since the first inception of Caliphate in Ahmadiyya. In the Jalsa, some of the highlights of the Caliph's several addresses included his love and bond with the Ghanian Jamaat; the devotion of the Ghanian Jamaat towards the Khalifatul Masih; the importance of the development of truth and forbearance of every Ahmadi and the refutation of the allegation that Islam was spread by the sword. Moreover, in 2008, in attendance, among many of the distinguished guests was the President of Ghana, John Kufuor
in which he congratulated the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on its Centenary celebrations and referred to the Caliph as a brother, friend and teacher to the people of Ghana. Many participants were reported to have travelled long distances from many of the surrounding countries, some in difficult conditions by bicycle or foot. Tens of thousands of Ahmadis participated on both occasions including 50,000 women in 2008.
. During the Khilafat Centenary tour of West Africa in 2008, the Caliph also inaugurated the 58th Jalsa Salana Nigeria. This event was also of historic importance, because other than the Caliphs attendance at the Convention, this was the first event televised live via MTA International. In this Jalsa, the Caliph's addressed many issues such as the importance of honesty as the key to Africa's future development; the need for Ahmadis to strive to nearness to God Almighty and the importance of Jalsa Salana.
and held their Convention since 1985. However, because of rising visitor numbers the place became too small and so it was later held on the surface of where the Bait-ul Shakour mosque was later built. In 1989 Mirza Tahir Ahmad
, the fourth Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community initiated the construction of 100 mosques in Germany during his attendance at the Jalsa. Since 1995, the Jalsa Salana is held approximately four weeks after the international Jalsa Salana in the UK at the Mannheim Maimarktgelände. With the number of participants of over 30,000 annually it is the largest Muslim gathering in Europe.
in 1983. In 2004 from 3 to 5 September, the 22nd Jalsa Salana was held in the presence of Mirza Masroor Ahmad
, the head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, in the multi-purpose hall of Forch
near Zurich. The 27th Jalsa Salana Switzerland was held in the hamlet of Wigoltingen
from 12 to 14 June 2009.
resides in this country after his migration from Pakistan. This was because it was difficult for Ahmadis to call themselves Muslim or to "pose as Muslims" and therefore was nearly impossible for the Head of the Community at that time to carry out his role as a Khalifatul Masih
. From 1994 to 2004, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK used a site near Tilford
, officially known as Islamabad, for the Jalsa. Since then, because of rising visitor numbers, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK bought another site near Alton
of an area of 208 acre (0.84174688 km²), named as 'Hadiqatul-Mahdi'. In the last few years, however, Islamabad has also been used for accommodation purposes and shuttle services are used extensively to help participants reach the Jalsa grounds in Hadiqatul Mahdi with minimal traffic congestion. The Jalsa Salana in the UK is usually held on the last weekend of July. The number of participants average around 30,000 annually.
. Amongst the highlights was the reflection by Mr Ajay Singh the Indian High Commissioner to the Fiji Islands who discussed the preception of Islam in changing times, and agreed that religion was a means of maintaining world peace, and prospering both spiritually and economically.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the larger of two communities that arose from the Ahmadiyya movement founded in 1889 in India by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian . The original movement split into two factions soon after the death of the founder...
initiated by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
Mīrzā Ghulām Aḥmad was a religious figure from India and the founder of the Ahmadiyya Community. He claimed to be the Mujaddid of the 14th Islamic century, the promised Messiah , and the Mahdi awaited by the Muslims in the end days...
, the founder of the community who also claimed to be the Promised Messiah and Mahdi of the latter days. Usually, the gathering spans over three days, commencing on Fridays when the Friday Sermon
Khutba
Khutbah serves as the primary formal occasion for public preaching in the Islamic tradition.Such sermons occur regularly, as prescribed by the teachings of all legal schools. The Islamic tradition can be formally at the dhuhr congregation prayer on Friday...
ends and the Flag Hoisting ceremony begins. The event takes place in many of the countries where the Community is established.
History
In 1891, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam AhmadMirza Ghulam Ahmad
Mīrzā Ghulām Aḥmad was a religious figure from India and the founder of the Ahmadiyya Community. He claimed to be the Mujaddid of the 14th Islamic century, the promised Messiah , and the Mahdi awaited by the Muslims in the end days...
announced under divine inspiration that he was the Promised Mahdi awaited by the Muslims and in the same year he decided to hold the first Jalsa Salana under divine inspiration. Thus, the first annual convention was held from 27th to 29th December in Qadian
Qadian
Qadian is a small town and a municipal council in Gurdaspur District, north-east of Amritsar, situated north-east of Batala city in the state of Punjab, India....
, and it was attended by 75 members. In 1907, 2000 members participated in the Jalsa Salana, which was the last one to be attended by the founder of the Community. In 1983, over 200,000 members participated in the last Jalsa Salana to be held in the city of Rabwah
Rabwah
Rabwah is a private city in the Chiniot District of Punjab Province, Pakistan located on the Chenab River near the historic city of Chiniot...
.
Purpose
The founder of the Community said:He also said:
Prayer
The founder of the Community said:Program
The event begins on Friday with a solemn flag-hoisting ceremony. The national President hoists the flag of the country whereas the Khalifatul MasihKhalifatul Masih
Khalifatul Masih sometimes simply referred to as Khalifah is the elected spiritual leader of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and is the successor of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian...
, if present, hoists the flag of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. After the ceremony, members of Khuddam-ul Ahmadiyya
Khuddam-ul Ahmadiyya
Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya is one of the three suborganizations of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The other two being Majlis Ansarullah, Lajna Imaillah.Majlis Khuddam-ul Ahmadiyya is the youth branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community...
will stand in front of the two flagpoles in order to symbolise the honour and defence of the nation and faith. This continues until the Jalsa ends, although such activity is not carried out throughout the night.
This is immediately followed by an address of the Khalifatul Masih. The program continues until Sunday evening with several speeches on spiritual and moral concepts, by the Khalifatul Masih, but also from the National president, Imams and other Islamic Scholars. Often the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the larger of two communities that arose from the Ahmadiyya movement founded in 1889 in India by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian . The original movement split into two factions soon after the death of the founder...
invites several distinguished non-Ahmadi guests to give a short speeches. The television station of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, MTA records most of the speeches and broadcasts them live, usually only if the Khalifatul-Masih present.
The most important part of this event is the performance of five daily prayers
Salat
Salah is the practice of formal prayer in Islam. Its importance for Muslims is indicated by its status as one of the Five Pillars of Sunni Islam, of the Ten Practices of the Religion of Twelver Islam and of the 7 pillars of Musta'lī Ismailis...
in congregation. The ceremony of the International Bay'ah is typically only held in the international Jalsa Salana.
Since all the speeches will be simultaneously translated into several languages, most visitors including those who are foreign can easily listen and understand them easily. Outside the normal sessions, many other facilities are available, including exhibitions, libraries, bookshops, medical counselling inc. homeopathy
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is a form of alternative medicine in which practitioners claim to treat patients using highly diluted preparations that are believed to cause healthy people to exhibit symptoms that are similar to those exhibited by the patient...
and other shops.
The funding for the Jalsa Salana comes from the voluntary donations of Ahmadis. Everyone, including Ahmadis and the guests that they bring with them, are, according with the Islamic tradition, hosted free of charge. Meals are also provided free of charge.
Venues
Jalsa Salana are held in many countries where the community is established. The following are a few examples where they are held:Pakistan
Jalsa Salana has been held in Pakistan since the partition of the Indian Subcontinent. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community from QadianQadian
Qadian is a small town and a municipal council in Gurdaspur District, north-east of Amritsar, situated north-east of Batala city in the state of Punjab, India....
migrated to the newly created Pakistan and settled in Lahore
Lahore
Lahore is the capital of the Pakistani province of Punjab and the second largest city in the country. With a rich and fabulous history dating back to over a thousand years ago, Lahore is no doubt Pakistan's cultural capital. One of the most densely populated cities in the world, Lahore remains a...
. Thereafter, in 1948, the Community found a tract of arid land and thereupon built the town of Rabwah
Rabwah
Rabwah is a private city in the Chiniot District of Punjab Province, Pakistan located on the Chenab River near the historic city of Chiniot...
. The community had been holding its annual convention since then. The attendance grew remarkably reaching over 200,000 participants in 1983.
Ban
On 26 April 1984, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq, the President of Pakistan, issued the anti-Ahmadiyya Ordinance XX
Ordinance XX
Ordinance XX is an legal ordinance of the Government of Pakistan that was promulgated under the regime of General Zia-ul-Haq and is meant to restrict members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community from applying certain Islamic terms to their own religious practices and beliefs.-Precedent:Ordinance XLIV...
, which effectively prohibited Ahmadis from preaching or professing their beliefs. The ordinance, which was supposed to prevent "anti-Islamic activities," forbids Ahmadis to call themselves Muslim or to "pose as Muslims." This therefore prevents Ahmadis to participate in their annual conventions.
Ghana
Jalsa Salana Ghana is held on a site known as "Bagh-e-Ahmad" spread over 400 acres (1.6 km²) around 60 km from the capital, AccraAccra
Accra is the capital and largest city of Ghana, with an urban population of 1,658,937 according to the 2000 census. Accra is also the capital of the Greater Accra Region and of the Accra Metropolitan District, with which it is coterminous...
.The Convention was attended by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mirza Masroor Ahmad on two occasions; 2004 followed by 2008. In 2008, as in 2004, the Caliph toured many countries of West Africa. However, the tour in 2008 was distinctively known as the 'Khilafat Centenary' tour, for the reason that 100 years have passed by 2008 since the first inception of Caliphate in Ahmadiyya. In the Jalsa, some of the highlights of the Caliph's several addresses included his love and bond with the Ghanian Jamaat; the devotion of the Ghanian Jamaat towards the Khalifatul Masih; the importance of the development of truth and forbearance of every Ahmadi and the refutation of the allegation that Islam was spread by the sword. Moreover, in 2008, in attendance, among many of the distinguished guests was the President of Ghana, John Kufuor
John Kufuor
John Kofi Agyekum Kufuor was the second president of the 4th Republic of Ghana and Chairperson of the African Union...
in which he congratulated the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on its Centenary celebrations and referred to the Caliph as a brother, friend and teacher to the people of Ghana. Many participants were reported to have travelled long distances from many of the surrounding countries, some in difficult conditions by bicycle or foot. Tens of thousands of Ahmadis participated on both occasions including 50,000 women in 2008.
Nigeria
Jalsa Salana Nigeria is held on a site known as "Hadeeqate-e-Ahmad" (Garden of Ahmad) an 85 acres (343,983.1 m²) stretch of land located approximately 40 km from the Capital, AbujaAbuja
Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria. It is located in the centre of Nigeria, within the Federal Capital Territory . Abuja is a planned city, and was built mainly in the 1980s. It officially became Nigeria's capital on 12 December 1991, replacing Lagos...
. During the Khilafat Centenary tour of West Africa in 2008, the Caliph also inaugurated the 58th Jalsa Salana Nigeria. This event was also of historic importance, because other than the Caliphs attendance at the Convention, this was the first event televised live via MTA International. In this Jalsa, the Caliph's addressed many issues such as the importance of honesty as the key to Africa's future development; the need for Ahmadis to strive to nearness to God Almighty and the importance of Jalsa Salana.
Germany
The first Jalsa Salana in Germany was held in 1976. The Conventions were held on the grounds of the Noor Mosque held in Frankfurt-Sachsenhausen. Afterwards, the community bought a site "Nasir Bagh" in Groß-GerauGroß-Gerau
Groß-Gerau is the district seat of the Groß-Gerau district, lying in the southern Frankfurt Rhein-Main Region in Hesse, Germany, and serving as a hub for the surrounding area.-Location:...
and held their Convention since 1985. However, because of rising visitor numbers the place became too small and so it was later held on the surface of where the Bait-ul Shakour mosque was later built. In 1989 Mirza Tahir Ahmad
Mirza Tahir Ahmad
Mirza Tahir Ahmad was Khalifatul Masih IV, Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and fourth successor to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad...
, the fourth Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community initiated the construction of 100 mosques in Germany during his attendance at the Jalsa. Since 1995, the Jalsa Salana is held approximately four weeks after the international Jalsa Salana in the UK at the Mannheim Maimarktgelände. With the number of participants of over 30,000 annually it is the largest Muslim gathering in Europe.
Switzerland
The first Jalsa Salana in Switzerland was held in ZurichZürich
Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Zurich. It is located in central Switzerland at the northwestern tip of Lake Zurich...
in 1983. In 2004 from 3 to 5 September, the 22nd Jalsa Salana was held in the presence of Mirza Masroor Ahmad
Mirza Masroor Ahmad
His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad is Khalifatul Masih V, the spiritual leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He was elected as the fifth successor of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad on April 22, 2003, a few days after the death of his predecessor Mirza Tahir Ahmad, the fourth Caliph for the Ahmadiiya...
, the head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, in the multi-purpose hall of Forch
Forch
Forch is a village and a mountain pass located in the municipalities of Küsnacht and Maur in the canton of Zürich, Switzerland.- Geography :Forch is located approximately in the southeast of Zürich, nearby Zumikon and Maur...
near Zurich. The 27th Jalsa Salana Switzerland was held in the hamlet of Wigoltingen
Wigoltingen
Wigoltingen is a municipality in the district of Weinfelden in the canton of Thurgau in Switzerland.-Geography:Wigoltingen has an area, , of . Of this area, or 75.4% is used for agricultural purposes, while or 12.5% is forested...
from 12 to 14 June 2009.
United Kingdom
The first Jalsa Salana in the UK took place in 1966. Jalsa Salana UK also serves as an International Jalsa, since the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mirza Masroor AhmadMirza Masroor Ahmad
His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad is Khalifatul Masih V, the spiritual leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He was elected as the fifth successor of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad on April 22, 2003, a few days after the death of his predecessor Mirza Tahir Ahmad, the fourth Caliph for the Ahmadiiya...
resides in this country after his migration from Pakistan. This was because it was difficult for Ahmadis to call themselves Muslim or to "pose as Muslims" and therefore was nearly impossible for the Head of the Community at that time to carry out his role as a Khalifatul Masih
Khalifatul Masih
Khalifatul Masih sometimes simply referred to as Khalifah is the elected spiritual leader of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and is the successor of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian...
. From 1994 to 2004, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK used a site near Tilford
Tilford
Tilford is a small village about two miles south of Farnham in Surrey, England. It lies within the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty- History :The name "Tilford" is probably derived from "Tila's ford" or "Tilla's ford"....
, officially known as Islamabad, for the Jalsa. Since then, because of rising visitor numbers, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK bought another site near Alton
Alton, Hampshire
Alton is a historic market town and civil parish in the East Hampshire district of the English county of Hampshire. It had a population of 16,584 at the 1991 census and is administered by East Hampshire district council. It is located on the source of the River Wey and is the highest town in...
of an area of 208 acre (0.84174688 km²), named as 'Hadiqatul-Mahdi'. In the last few years, however, Islamabad has also been used for accommodation purposes and shuttle services are used extensively to help participants reach the Jalsa grounds in Hadiqatul Mahdi with minimal traffic congestion. The Jalsa Salana in the UK is usually held on the last weekend of July. The number of participants average around 30,000 annually.
Canada
15,000 members and guests attended the 33rd Jalsa Salana in Canada in 2009 which was held from the 26 to 28 July in Mississauga.Fiji
More than 500 people attended the 39th Jalsa Salana in 2006 in Fiji, in which the concluding address was given by Hazrat Mirza Masroor AhmadMirza Masroor Ahmad
His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad is Khalifatul Masih V, the spiritual leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He was elected as the fifth successor of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad on April 22, 2003, a few days after the death of his predecessor Mirza Tahir Ahmad, the fourth Caliph for the Ahmadiiya...
. Amongst the highlights was the reflection by Mr Ajay Singh the Indian High Commissioner to the Fiji Islands who discussed the preception of Islam in changing times, and agreed that religion was a means of maintaining world peace, and prospering both spiritually and economically.