Ahsan Mahmood Khan, Afsar Jalsa Gah
The 38th West Coast Jalsa Salana USA was held on 26-28 December 2025, at the Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino, California, located approximately 30 miles east of Los Angeles. Nearly 2,300 Ahmadi Muslims from across the country, primarily representing the 11 chapters of the Western States, attended this annual gathering.
This year marked the highest attendance in the history of the West Coast Jalsa Salana. The theme of the 2025 Jalsa Salana was “Wahdaniyyat – The Oneness of God,” emphasising the unity of Allah in all aspects of a Muslim’s life.
After the flag-hoisting ceremony, the Jalsa Salana formally commenced. Dr Sahibzada Mirza Maghfoor Ahmad, Amir Jamaat USA, delivered the opening address and emphasised the recognition of the Oneness of Allah as the foundation of Islamic belief. This was followed by a speech on “The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa: A Life Devoted to Tawhid”, by Faran Rabbani Sahib. Anwer Mahmood Khan Sahib, Naib Amir Jamaat USA, then spoke on “The Strength of the Nizam (system) of the Jamaat.”
The Saturday morning sessions covered a wide range of topics, including “Allah as the One True Friend in the Age of Digital Illusions” by Qasid Sadiq Sahib; “The Importance of Congregational Salat” by Zakaria Sayed Sahib; “The Sacrifices of the Youth in Upholding God’s Unity” by Intisar Malhi Sahib and a biographical address on Hazrat Maulvi Ghulam Rasul Rajekira, delivered by Anas Chaudry Sahib.
This year’s Jalsa included an additional combined afternoon session for men and women – with arrangements of purdah – featuring two addresses: “Unity Cannot Exist without Purity of Heart” by Ahmad Salman Khurshid Sahib and “When the World Becomes an Idol – Lessons for a Muwahhid” by Usman Jamil Sahib.
The evening guest session welcomed nearly 100 non-Ahmadi guests, including local and state government officials, members of law enforcement, professors, university students and representatives of interfaith congregations. A presentation, “Teachings from the Holy Quran on Peace and Unity”, was delivered by Abdul Lateef Balanta Sahib, National Secretary Nau-Mubai‘een. Several dignitaries also gave brief remarks, with the session moderated by Amjad Mahmood Khan Sahib, National Public Affairs Secretary. This session also featured a special presentation of the “Jalsa Cares” service initiative in partnership with the local food donation non-profit God’s Pantry, recognising the organisers for their service. Volunteers from the Jamaat assisted with food packaging the day prior to the start of Jalsa. Guests later enjoyed dinner at Zahir Basketball Court, toured the Voices for Peace exhibition and participated in interviews conducted by MTA USA.
The ladies’ separate session also had speeches, including “Unity of God and High Moral Values” by Amtul Rehman Ahmed Sahiba, “Carrying the Torch of Islam to the Corners of the Earth” by Nicole Williams Sahiba, “An Ahmadi Woman – A Guardian of Faith for the Next Generation” by Misbah Rashid Amjad Sahiba and “Khilafat – Empowering Ahmadi Women” by Daniya Chowdhury Sahiba. A message from Sadr Lajna Imaillah USA, Dhiya Bakr Sahiba, was then read out by Naib Sadr Lajna USA, Aziza Rahman Sahiba, to close the session.
The closing session on Sunday included an Urdu address by Musa Chaudhry Sahib on “Practising One’s Faith as a Means of Tabligh.” Naib Amir Jamaat USA, Bilal Rana Sahib, followed with a speech on “Khilafat – The Living Reflection of Divine Unity.” Missionary-In-Charge, Azhar Haneef Sahib, then delivered an address entitled “Zikr-e-Habib, Ta‘alluq Billah – The Promised Messiah’s Relationship with Allah.”
The highlight of this Jalsa Salana was the closing address of Jalsa Salana Qadian, delivered by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, which was recorded earlier in the day and presented during the closing session.
The Jalsa Salana concluded with a silent prayer, led by Amir Jamaat USA. MTA USA conducted live on-site interviews, both roaming and in the studio, throughout the Jalsa. The entire event was live-streamed on YouTube and the official Jalsa Salana website. Live translations in Spanish, Urdu and Pashto were provided for all sessions.
Additional programmes were organised by the Waqf-e-Nau and Sanat-o-Tijarat Departments, along with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Medical Association. An Amin ceremony, formally recognising the completion of the first reading of the Holy Quran, was conducted by the National Talim-ul-Quran Department, with several boys and girls participating. The National Rishta Nata Department once again hosted a Meet and Greet programme to facilitate family introductions, with several families introduced over the three days. Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya USA hosted the MKA Hub, providing games, food and inspirational talks for members, while a Lajna Hub and Nasirat Hub were similarly arranged on the ladies’ side. The handicraft and snack stalls were also arranged on the ladies’ side for the National Lajna Conference Center fundraising. The Jalsa also featured a bookstall showcasing the latest Jamaat publications and a stall hosted by Humanity First USA.
The 2025 Jalsa Salana welcomed 123 international guests, 77 non-Ahmadi guests and representation from 13 countries. Four newspapers covered the Jalsa and published news reports.