Tens of thousands of Muslims gather in Hampshire for Jalsa Salana

Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community makes faith inspiring addresses.

The 49th Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the United Kingdom commenced on Friday 21 August at the vast Hampshire farm known as ‘Hadeeqatul Mahdi’. It is anticipated that more than 30,000 delegates from over 90 countries have travelled to attend the Jalsa.
On Friday, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered the Friday Sermon and later delivered the inaugural address of this year’s Jalsa Salana during which he said that the purpose of the Jalsa Salana was to promote the true and peaceful teachings of Islam.

His Holiness also raised the Flag of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, whilst Rafiq Hayat, the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the United Kingdom, raised the Union Jack.In his address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that where the Jalsa is a spiritual gathering to increase faith in God, it is also be a means of increasing humanity and a sense of brotherhood.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“According to the teachings of the Holy Quran, the love that a Muslim must adopt for humanity should be such that he or she should become restless upon seeing any other person in discomfort. A true Muslim must always be watchful of the sentiments of others and must sacrifice his own comfort for the sake of the comfort of his fellow beings.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad also said:

“In this day and age it is of great regret that some Muslims have misconstrued the true teachings of Islam to such an extent that the world has become fearful of the beautiful and peaceful teachings of Islam.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“When people are presented with the true teachings of Islam by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, they are left shocked or surprised. Many have said to me personally that if what you present are the true teachings of Islam then the world will gladly once again turn towards religion and towards Islam.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Muslims are commanded only to live peacefully with one another. The Holy Prophet (peace be on him) said, ‘A Muslim is the one from whose hands and tongue every peaceful human being is safe.’”

His Holiness stated that Ahmadi Muslims must always seek to spiritually and morally enhance themselves.

The Jalsa Salana is being broadcast live and streamed online by MTA International to millions of viewers across the world.