True meaning of Islam to be showcased at major UK convention

Jalsa Salana, the UK’s biggest convention of Muslims, will take place on August 2-4 to showcase what true Islam is and challenge the most common misconceptions around the religion.

35,000 people from over 100 countries will descend on a 200-acre farm in Hampshire, which will be converted into a mini-village for the three days.

It’s being organised by 7,000 male and female volunteers from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, who will also help run an on-site bread factory that will produce 300,000 pieces of roti and naan bread to feed the festival-goers, at an impressive rate of 10,000 an hour.

There will also be a range of South Asian and European cuisine on offer.

Farhad Ahmed from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is inviting people from all cultures to visit the farm and ‘find out if Islam is a religion of peace or not.’

‘Often people have questions about Islam,’ he said.

‘Many know about those who have travelled to Syria to join the so-called and wrongful Caliphate of Isis.

‘However, very few are aware of the true peaceful Caliphate here in the British countryside, which is taking a pledge of allegiance only for people to follow the true peaceful message of Islam.’

‘So on 4 August, the last of the three-day convention, the biggest moment in the event takes place.

‘35,000 plus people will form a massive human chain leading to the hand of the Caliph whilst pledging in unison to follow the true peaceful message of Islam under the leadership of the Caliph, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.’

Read more about the convention here.

Last yearNewStart spoke to Farhad about how the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association raises thousands every year for the Poppy Appeal.

‘The main reason we raise funds is for the servicemen who gave their lives for the defence of our country. If we are ever in any difficulty it would be their requirement to help us,’ he said.

‘It’s a show of our gratitude. Charity is blind and we help anybody whether they are Muslims or non-Muslims.’