Mufeezur Rahman, Bosnia
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Bosnia held its 20th Jalsa Salana on 14 July 2024, at the premises of Hotel Hollywood in Sarajevo. Around 8 am, the guests started arriving at the Jalsa Gah.
The first session was presided over by Missionary Wasim Saroya Sahib. It commenced at 10 am with the recitation from the Holy Quran and its Bosnian translation, followed by a poem and a speech by Mirnes Avdic Sahib on “Islam in the Current Age.” Nedim Hajibulic Sahib, our mu‘allim in Serbia, delivered the second speech on “A Message to the Ummah – Prophecies Regarding the Advent of Imam Mahdias”. This was followed by another poem, followed by a speech at the Lajna side by Emina Mucaki Sahiba on “Coexistence in Society and the Teachings of Islam”.
The first session was followed by a coffee break. In an adjacent hall, the guests were able to see the translations of the Holy Quran in various languages and the Islam Ahmadiyya exhibition. They also had the opportunity to take free literature from our bookstall. Apart from that, the guests could enjoy a calligraphy exhibition, which was exhibited by Professor Abdul Haq Hajimelich, who presented his beautiful artistry consisting mainly of verses from the Holy Quran.
At 12:20 pm, the second session started with the recitation from the Holy Quran alongside its Bosnian translation, followed by a speech on “Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya and Service to Mankind” by Amar Jahic Sahib. Thereafter, various representatives and friends of the Jamaat from all around Bosnia were invited to express their sentiments. They all praised the efforts of the Jamaat and wished to work together with us in the future as well. A representative from one of the oldest Bosnian organisations, “Gairat,” presented a shield of gratitude to the Jamaat. This session concluded with a speech by Sadr Jamaat Bosnia. A break for salat and lunch followed.
At 2:40 pm, all guests returned to the halls for the concluding session, presided over by Ibrahim Ikhlaf Sahib, the central representative from the UK, and commenced with the recitation from the Holy Quran with its Bosnian translation. A short documentary was shown to all guests with the title “An Appeal from Gaza to the World”. Afterwards, several mayors and government officials expressed their positive experiences about the work Jamaat had done. Ibrahim Ikhlaf Sahib delivered the concluding address about the teachings of Islam and how we can establish lasting peace in the world through them, in light of the instructions by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper.
Thereafter, prizes for the teams that participated in the football tournament “Voices for Peace” were distributed and Professor Kadriya Hojich, a member of the state parliament, spoke about his personal experience attending Jalsa Salana.
The 20th Jalsa Salana Bosnia concluded with a silent prayer and the total attendance was 440. The entire programme of Jalsa was conducted in the Bosnian language with simultaneous English translation by Dino Sabovic and Emina Muacki.