Atta-ur-Rahman Khalid, Missionary, Ireland
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Ireland held its 23rd Jalsa Salana on 23-24 August 2025 in Galway. The theme this year was “The Holy Quran.”
Preparations began months earlier, which culminated in a formal session with all dedicated volunteers at the jalsa gah on the evening of Friday, 22 August. The National President, Dr Muhammad Anwar Malik Sahib, met with all the volunteers and imparted valuable advice. During his address, he drew the attention of all volunteers to act upon the constant guidance of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, which he had given to volunteers and the Jamaat in his Friday sermon just a few weeks earlier on the occasion of Jalsa Salana UK.
Saturday morning began with congregational Tahajjud prayer at the Maryam Mosque. Breakfast was served to all the volunteers promptly after Fajr prayer and Darsul Quran.
Jalsa Salana formally began with the flag-hoisting ceremony. Thereafter, the first session began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a poem and reading out of Huzoor’saa special message by the Missionary-in-Charge, Ibrahim Noonan Sahib.
The first speech of the session was delivered in English by Yusuf Pender Sahib, Secretary Nau-Mubai‘een, on “The Holy Prophet: A Mercy for Mankind.” The second speech was delivered in Urdu by Sadr Majlis Ansarullah Ireland, Shahzad Malik Sahib, on “It is constantly in my heart to kiss Thy Scriptures – To go around the Quran – this surely is my Ka‘bah.” The third speech was delivered in English by Missionary Mutaraf Ahmad Sahib on “Faith in the Age of Doubt – Holding on to Allah in a Secular World.” Translation was provided for all of the speeches.
This year, a number of dignitaries attended the Jalsa Salana, including Paula Hillman, Assistant Commissioner for An Garda Síochána; Éamon Ó Cuív, recently retired member of parliament for Galway West; John Connally, newly elected member of parliament for the constituency; and Alan Cheevers, Deputy Mayor of Galway City. A special video introducing the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was played, which, alongside highlighting its global efforts, also provided a snapshot of the activities the Jamaat has been doing in Ireland, including various charitable programmes. Some of the dignitaries were given the opportunity to say a few words, and those who could not attend also sent video messages, which were played on the screen.
The various dignitaries addressed the attendees, sharing their appreciation for the work of the Jamaat globally as well as our commitment to peace and integration on the Island of Ireland.
The third session of Jalsa Salana Ireland began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a poem and two speeches. The first speech was delivered in English by Dr Rizwan Ahmad Sahib, Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Ireland, on “The Role of Youth in the Revival of Islam.” The second speech was delivered in Urdu by my humble self on “The Promised Messiahas as King of the Pen.”
Meetings were then held by the Irish chapters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Medical Association and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Research Association. The first day of Jalsa ended with dinner being served to the attendees.
Day two of Jalsa also began with Tahajjud prayer, Fajr and Dars-ul-Quran.
The Lajna session was held in the morning. A speech was delivered by Shaista Pender Sahiba, Naib Sadr Lajna Imaillah Ireland, on “All Goodness is in the Quran.”
In the final session, two more speeches were delivered. Dr Hamid Khan Sahib, National Secretary Tabligh & Officer Jalsa Salana, delivered a speech on “It Is Fire, but All Those Shall Be Saved from This Fire Who Possess Love for the God of Great Wonders.”
The next speech was delivered in English by Ibrahim Noonan Sahib on “The Quran – The Divinely Revealed Word of Allah Sent Down Upon the Heart of Muhammadsa for the Guidance of Humanity.”
Thereafter, academic awards were presented to those students who excelled in their education or in their field of research.
This was followed by the concluding address by the National President of Jamaat Ireland, Dr Muhammad Anwar Malik Sahib. The Jalsa concluded with a silent prayer.