Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Suriname held its 45th Jalsa Salana on 28-30 August 2026. This year’s convention also incorporated celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Suriname.
The first day began with congregational Tahajjud and Fajr prayers. At 9 am local time, attendees listened to the live Friday Sermon of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aa), after which breakfast was served. After lunch, Jumuah and Asr prayers were offered. This was followed by the flag-hoisting ceremony.
The formal programme commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a poem and the reading out of Huzoor’s (aa) special message by Shamsher Ali Sahib, President Jamaat Suriname. Hamid Karim Mahmood Sahib presented extracts from the writings of the Promised Messiah (as) on the aims and objectives of Jalsa Salana. Naseer Siddiqui Sahib, a guest from the Netherlands, spoke on “Connection with Allah”, while my humble self, spoke on “Jalsa Salana: A Living Sign of the Truthfulness of the Promised Messiah (as)”. The session concluded with silent prayer, followed by refreshments.
The remainder of the day was dedicated to Lajna Imaillah. The programme opened with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a poem and speeches on “Women’s Economic Independence and Property Rights: A Historical Overview” by Farzana Mahjabeen Sahiba, “Women’s Economic Status in Islam: Justice, Dignity and Financial Independence” by Sarina Chiragh Ali Sahiba and “The Law of Inheritance for Women in Islam” by Sarah Hasil Sahiba. Four guest women representing social and religious organisations were then invited to speak, including Member of Parliament and former Defence Minister, Krishna Hussain Ali Sahiba and psychologist, Dr Amirani Jagbandhan Sahiba. The guest speakers expressed appreciation for the rights accorded to women in Islam, the articulation of women’s role within societal values and the hospitality extended to them. Moreover, 12 students received certificates of merit and cash prizes in recognition of outstanding academic performance. The session concluded with silent prayer. The attendance at the ladies’ side was 100.
The second day also began with congregational Tahajjud and Fajr prayers. The session started with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a poem and a speech on the objectives of Jalsa Salana by Dr Farooq Deen Muhammad Sahib. This was followed by more speeches by Sahir Hasil Sahib on “The Need for Imam Mahdi”, by Shariq Mahmood Sahib on “The Reality of the Finality of Prophethood”, by Asfand Suleman Sahib on “Observance of Prayer: The Hallmark of a True Muslim”, by Maqsood Ahmed Mansoor Sahib on “The Adverse Effects of Social Media and Its Positive Use” and by Farid Jaman Bakhsh Sahib on “The 70-Year History of the Jamaat in Suriname”.
The guest speakers were then invited to the stage. They included Ms Janira, Vice-President of the local council; Ms Rayita Jamrati, a professor at the University of Suriname and Dean of the Sociology Department; political leader Mr Dharm Mungra; and Ms Andrea Christian, representing the Amerindian delegation.
Ten students received certificates and cash prizes for outstanding academic results, while primary school children were presented with packages containing school supplies. Following the concluding prayer, a meal and refreshments were served. Attendance on the second day exceeded 200 people.
The third day began with congregational Tahajjud and Fajr prayers. The session started with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a poem and a speech by Irfan Makram Sahib on “The Holy Quran: A Guiding Light for Humanity.” This was followed by speeches by Sohaib Asad Sahib, Shamsher Ali Sahib and Hamid Karim Mahmood Sahib. The guest speakers included Mr Rylem Emer, Director at the Ministry of Sports and representative of the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs; Mr Suleman, representing the Indian delegation and the president of a local mosque.
Muhammad Sohaib Asad Sahib read congratulatory messages received from the Chairman of the National Assembly, various ministers and dignitaries from abroad. The Jamaat President thanked all attendees, after which I led the silent prayer. The attendance on the third day was 225. Total attendance over the three days exceeded 350 and, for the first time, guests from five countries participated in the event.
Special preparations were made this year for an exhibition on the translations of the Holy Quran in various languages. The exhibition also included Jamaat literature published in various languages. A special booklet was prepared for the Jalsa compiling sayings of the Promised Messiah (as) and his Khulafa on the objectives, significance and blessings of Jalsa Salana, as well as the global nature of the institution. A pamphlet entitled Refuting the Divinity of Christ and a folder titled Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and Service to Humanity were also produced and distributed among participants.
The Jalsa received extensive media attention. A press conference was held at the venue on the afternoon of 28 August, attended by the three visiting missionaries, the local Jamaat President and the Afsar Jalsa Salana. The missionaries explained the organisation and traditions of Jalsa Salana, while the President and Afsar Jalsa Salana outlined the activities of the Suriname Jamaat. A question-and-answer session followed and the press conference lasted more than half an hour. Coverage of the press conference and convention was broadcast the following day on a national television channel. In addition, news about the Jalsa was published on several news websites. Before and after the event, leading national outlets including Suriname Herald, ABC News, Times of Suriname and Dagblad Suriname published reports accompanied by photographs. ABC News also shared more than 20 photographs on its Facebook page, generating substantial public engagement.
On 31 August, Apintie Media broadcast a live interview of more than half an hour with the visiting missionaries from Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago and the Netherlands. They discussed Jamaat activities in their respective countries and explained the beliefs of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. Guests from outside the Jamaat, including local council members and men and women associated with Sanatan Dharma and the social organisation Cultural Uni Suriname, also shared photographs and expressions of appreciation on Facebook. Dr Amirani, a psychologist who attended the Lajna programme as a guest, likewise praised the event and the Jamaat’s hospitality. Collectively, these activities significantly extended the public visibility of the Jalsa and the Jamaat’s message.