Muhammadul-fareed Ajimoti, Nigeria
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Nigeria held its 69th Jalsa Salana on 22-24 December 2023, at the Conference Ground, Jamia Ahmadiyya Ilaro, Ogun State, Nigeria. Extensive preparations, initiated weeks in advance, saw the involvement of individuals from distant towns in setting up the Jalsa Gah. The theme for this year’s Jalsa was “Taqwa: Pathway to Justice and Peace”.
The commencement of Jalsa activities included Jumuah prayer, Asr prayer, and a live broadcast of Hazrat Amirul Momineen’saa Friday Sermon, followed by lunch
Jalsa proceedings commenced with the flag hoisting by Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Nigeria, Alhaji Barr. Alatoye Folorunso Aziza Sahib, followed by a silent prayer.
The first session started with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by an Arabic qasidah. A special message from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa was read out by Amir Sahib, followed by his address.
This was followed by a speech on “Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya: The Harbinger of Justice and Peace in the Latter Days”, by Abdul Waiz Apooyin Sahib, also translated in Yoruba and Hausa languages.
On the next day, the session commenced with Amir Sahib Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Nigeria presiding. The recitation from the Holy Quran and qasidah was followed by two speeches by Abdul Qahhar Olowonmi Sahib and Syed Athar Mahmud Sahib, with a few minutes’ break in between for an Urdu poem.
Subsequently, the annual academic merit awards were distributed.
The second session had a number of dignitaries in attendance – including government officials, traditional rulers, educators and representatives of other communities, such as the United Kingdom and other neighbouring countries. Most were recognised by name, and some were invited to speak from the podium. The programme was brought to a close by a silent prayer, which was followed by the visitation of the exhibition stands by the invited guests.
The third session began with the recitation from the Holy Quran and a qasidah. This was followed by two speeches by Naeem Ahmad Abdur Raheem Sahib and Raja Athar Qudus Sahib.
The second day ended with a question and answer session and dinner.
The fourth and final session commenced on Sunday immediately after the Fajr prayer. The recitation from the Holy Quran and a qasidah were followed by a speech by Abdur Roqeeb Akinyemi Sahib, Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Nigeria, on “Social Media: Its Benefits and Adverse Effects on Society.”
The Jalsa was brought to an end with closing remarks and a silent prayer by Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Nigeria.
Among the many new things that were introduced was the live translation of proceedings into three different languages (Yoruba, Hausa and Etsako) by Jalsa Radio.
Jalsa Salana Nigeria 2023 recorded a total checked-in attendance of 30,357 individuals, comprising 5,940 guests.
