Musa Khan, Senegal
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Senegal held its annual Jalsa Salana on 24, 25 and 26 December 2021 at Dakar, the capital of Senegal. The theme of the Jalsa was “The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa as the perfect model for Humanity”.
Jalsa Salana Senegal 2021 was attended by 3565 men and women from more than 300 villages in 14 regions of Senegal. Delegations from neighbouring Mauritania and The Gambia also attended. More than 200 non-Ahmadi guests, mostly the chiefs of villages and representatives of various villages attended the Jalsa Salana.
In addition to the representatives of several radio stations in Senegal, the annual Jalsa was broadcast by two TV channels in the capital Dakar, and more than 8000 viewers watched these reports via YouTube and Facebook. The programmes of the Jalsa are being broadcast on the radios of the regions.
In addition to being the leader of a political party and Member of Parliament, the ambassador of Burkina Faso to Senegal also attended the Jalsa Salana, and the local police commissioner attended on the first day.
This year, for the first time, in addition to the Liwa-e-Ahmadiyyat, flags of 60 countries were hoisted. This was of great interest to the participants and especially to the government officials.
At the beginning of the year, the preparations for the Jalsa Salana began according to the directions set by the national amila.
In Senegal, the annual Jalsa is usually held in late December, and in early December, the Jalsa Salana is seen functional around the country, not only in the Jalsa site, but across the country. The Jalsa dates are given to the members and arrangements are made for buses and other rides to bring participants from each region to the Jalsa Salana site.
On 23 December 2021, participants from far-flung regions of the country started arriving in caravans, and among them were members who had travelled more than 600 kilometres to reach the Jalsa site.
On 24 December, at 12 pm, all the participants had gathered for the flag hoisting ceremony. Nasir Ahmad Sahib, Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Senegal hoisted the Liwa-e-Ahmadiyyat and Umar Sane Sahib, Naib Amir II hoisted the flag of Senegal, followed by silent prayer.
At 1 pm, all the attendees of the Jalsa Salana came to the Jalsa Gah and listened to the Friday Sermon of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa live on MTA Africa.
At 2 pm, Amir Sahib Jamaat Senegal delivered the Friday Sermon and led the Friday prayer.
In the first session, several speeches were delivered on the blessed character of the Holy Prophetsa, and the guests were invited to express their comments.
After Maghrib and Isha prayers, local jalsas were held in local languages (Wolf, Polar, Serer and Jula). Apart from speeches in the local languages, question and answer sessions were also arranged.
The second day commenced with Tahajud prayer, followed by Fajr prayer and dars. Later in the morning and evening, two sessions were held in which speeches were delivered on various aspects of the blessed life of the Holy Prophetsa and at the end of the session the distinguished guests were given an opportunity to express their views.
In the morning, the proceedings of the ladies Jalsa under the administration of Lajna Imaillah began. The female speakers delivered speeches on various aspects of the blessed life of the Holy Prophetsa. Nasirat also recited the naat.
Local jalsas, in local languages, were also held at night after Maghrib and Isha prayers.
The last day of Jalsa Salana Senegal 2021 commenced after the Fajr prayer. After the recitation of the Holy Quran, there was a long series of questions, in which Amir Sahib Jamaat Senegal answered the questions and Naib Amir Sahib translated it into Wolf language.
At 9 am, prizes were distributed to more than 200 students who achieved high marks in their subject of education during the year.
At around 11 am, all the participants came to the Jalsa Gah, where Huzoor’s concluding address at the Jalsa Salana Qadian 2021 was listened to. The Jalsa Salana of Senegal also came to an end with the concluding address and silent prayer by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa.
May Allah Almighty bless all the participants of the Jalsa Salana and may all the participants inherit the blessings of the special prayers offered by the Promised Messiahas for the Jalsa participants. Amin.