Atia Nuur Ahmad-Hubsche
Sadr Lajna Imaillah Germany
The 43rd Jalsa Salana Germany 2018 took place on 7-9 September 2018 in Karlsruhe. Undoubtedly the highlight of the Jalsa Salana was that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa graced the German Jamaat once again with his presence and so, ten-thousands of Ahmadis throughout Germany and also from other countries travelled from far to attend this blessed event.
The preparations for Jalsa Salana actually start right after a Jalsa Salana concludes, hence planning for this year’s Jalsa Salana started in October 2017 with the set-up of the organisational structure. For the Lajna side, 12 Naib Nazimat-e-Ala were nominated who worked under the supervision of Nazima-e-Ala (Sadr Lajna Imaillah Germany) and each had to manage different departments. In total, 66 departments were set up and Nazimat [team leaders] were appointed who started to build their teams. Duties were distributed among regions and after the teams had been built, Nazimat got in contact with the Muawinat [volunteers] and planned the duty work and particular tasks.
This year, the Naib Nazimat-e-Ala had the blessed opportunity of having mulaqat [audience] with Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa. In January 2018, they travelled to London and had the honour of receiving direct guidance from Huzooraa regarding the Ladies’ side of Jalsa Salana.
One special instruction which was received from beloved Huzooraa was that every single worker should serve the guests of the Promised Messiahas with a smile and in a friendly manner. Huzooraa said, “Even if your jaws get tired, you should not stop smiling.” Furthermore Huzooraa gave instructions regarding ziafat [food preparation], accomodation and many more departments. These precious instructions of Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa were the foundations of all our Jalsa work.
Then a meeting with all Nazimat was arranged where these instructions were presented and the Nazimat were told to implement them and forward them to their teams. Furthermore, Nazima-e-Ala held separate meetings throughout the year with every Nazima where the work of each department was discussed and planned, bearing in mind the “red book” points from the previous Jalsa Salana.
Besides this, several meetings with Afsar Jalsa Salana and Afsar Jalsa Gah took place where the plan of site was discussed in detail. Due to growing attendance, it was felt that the space at the current site (DM Arena, Karlsruhe) had to be re-planned in order to make the best of the situation. So this year, some significant changes were made, for example, for the ladies’ ziafat, a large marquee was set up, and the space in the hall which had previously been used for ziafat was completely designated for accommodation purposes as there was a great need for this. Alongside this, there were marquees set up for mothers with children under the age of 4, and the area of the Main Jalsa Gah for ladies was also extended.
As the site planning went along, Nazimat visited the Muawinat in various regions of the country and held meetings with them to update them about the work and train them for their respective duties.
As Huzooraa had instructed that we should make it possible for Lajna members to choose the duty they would like to do, an online registration platform was developed where Lajna members could register beforehand for the department they desired to serve in. Additionally, duties were distributed among the regions in order to get the required teams.
The online-registration was highly appreciated by Lajna members and was a way to motivate them to take part in Jalsa duties.
In the second Nazimat meeting, the final planning was discussed, coordination meetings among different departments took place and Nazimat were updated about the site and the planning.
An information booklet with all important points for the visitors of the Jalsa Salana was compiled and forwarded to all Lajna members. Also, a short videoclip was prepared and shared with all. In all Majalis, Jalsa Seminars took place where the purpose of Jalsa Salana was highlighted, tarbiyati topics were talked about and organisational information was given to all the participants.
Finally, the long-awaited days arrived. On Thursday 6 September, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa arrived at the Jalsa Gah at about 7pm for the inspection of the Jalsa preparations. After inspecting some parts of the men’s side, Huzooraa arrived at the ladies’ Jalsa Gah and initially inspected the ziafat marquee. After asking about information pertaining to the capacity of the ziafat area, Huzooraa then visited the accommodation hall and inspected the arrangements. Afterwards, Huzooraa walked through the long gallery where most of the departments were allocated such as Wasiyyat, bookstall, Humanity First, IAAAE, MAMO (Medical Association), 100-Mosque scheme, office ladies’ Jalsa Gah, information etc. Huzooraa most affectionately bought some items from the Humanity First stall and also visited the bookstall where he asked about the newly published books.
At the end of this inspection, Huzooraa most graciously launched the new website of the Majlis Ansar Sultan-ul-Qalam of Lajna Imaillah Germany named “Stimme der Muslima” (The voice of Muslim women). The team was very humbled and grateful for this blessed opportunity.
Friday 7 September, the Jalsa Salana was inaugurated with the Friday Sermon of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. Before Jumuah, the flag hoisting took place where a number of Nasirat were present reciting taraney [choral poems] wearing scarves in the colours of the German flag.
Saturday 8 September was the long-awaited day for Lajna as Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa blessed the Lajna and Nasirat with his presence in the ladies’ Jalsa Gah. Prior to this, the Lajna session was held which was presided by Hazrat Syeda Amatus Sabuh Begum Sahiba, respected wife of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. In this session, besides tilawat and nazm, there were four speeches (two in Urdu and two in German) on the following subjects:
“Istighfar – Means of Obtaining the Nearness of God“
“Khilafat – Fortress of Peace”
“Importance and Necessity of Purdah in this Day and Age”
“Valuable Principles of Parenting in Light of Islamic Teachings”
At 12pm, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa arrived at the ladies’ Jalsa Gah and was welcomed by Lajna members and Nasirat saying “Ahlan wa sahlan wa marhaba!”.
Then, this year a historical moment was witnessed. The German Federal minister of Justice, Ms Katarina Barley had come to visit the Jalsa Salana and with the approval of Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa, she delivered her short speech from the stage in ladies’ Jalsa Gah.
Thereafter the session started with the recitation of the Holy Quran followed by an Urdu poem from Kalam-e-Mahmood. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa graciously distributed academic awards to 62 Lajna members, among whom were also some ladies from other countries such as Indonesia, Kenya and France.
After distributing awards, Huzooraa delivered his address to the ladies in which he mentioned the sacrifices of great women in the history of religion. Huzooraa reminded us to follow their footsteps and especially to take good care of the upbringing of our children.
Huzooraa concluded with silent prayer after which a group of Lajna members and Nasirat recited poems and taraney. It was indeed a spiritually uplifting atmosphere in the hall when, aside from poems in many other languages, all the ladies in the hall recited “La ilaha illallah”.
Huzooraa then walked down the hall towards the children’s marquees. There, Huzooraa walked past all the marquees as the children became extremely excited and joyful waving towards their beloved Imamaa. These were priceless moments to witness and truly unforgettable.
The remaining Jalsa programme was relayed from the men’s side on Saturday and Sunday. In the breaks, there were different programmes on the ladies’ side during all three days. Rishta nata department organised a “Meet & Greet” where members searching for a rishta [match for marriage] for their children could meet each other.
AMSWA had prepared an exhibition on the life of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa which was visited by many Lajna members and Nasirat and was appreciated. The Al-Qalam project was present as well in which many Lajna members took part with great interest. Also the Tabligh department of Lajna Imaillah Germany had prepared an exhibition about the status of women in Islam which was visited by numerous non-Ahmadi-Guests.
Sunday 9 September, the Bai‘at ceremony was one of the highlights of the day. By the grace of Allah, six ladies entered the fold of Islam Ahmadiyyat during Bai‘at. After the concluding address and concluding prayer, the 43rd Jalsa Salana Germany came to a successful end. Alhamdolillah! All praise be to Allah.
Throughout the Jalsa days, in the ladies’ Jalsa Gah, around 3,000 voluntary duty workers served the guests of the Promised Messiahas and around 4,600 guests were accommodated on site. The total attendance on the ladies’ side was 19,448, Alhamdolillah.
May Allah the Exalted accept our humble efforts and reward all the workers abundantly.
