Tommy Kallon, President Pan-African Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK
Jalsa Salana UK, as an international convention, is a unique occasion to enhance spirituality by the magnetic presence and inspiring addresses of His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper.
This international Jalsa Salana also provides a platform for the global Pan-African Ahmadiyya Muslim Ahmadiyya (PAAMA) family to get together under the auspices of His Holiness to strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood and collectively explore ways of furthering the aims and objectives of the association.
With the blessed approval of Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa the global PAAMA family convened in the main men’s marquee on the evening of Friday, 2 August following the inaugural address of His Holiness. In attendance were delegates from Africa, the Caribbean, North America, Europe and the UK.
For the first time this year, PAAMA Lajna held a separate and simultaneous event in the main ladies’ marquee for all female delegates. His Holiness appointed Imam Azhar Haneef Sahib, Naib Amir and Missionary In-charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA as the chairman to preside over this year’s event, who called the meeting to order so that proceedings could commence with the recitation of the Holy Quran followed by its translation into English.
The first speech on the day was on the Blessings of PAAMA, which was delivered by Imam Ehsan Secundar Sahib, Missionary In-charge Belgium, who recounted the many blessings PAAMA has brought in its wake since its inception under the auspices of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh.
Thereafter, a speech was delivered by the President PAAMA UK, Tommy Kallon Sahib, who addressed the audience on the Challenges Facing PAAMA and stressed on the importance of secular and spiritual education, the need for unity and the exigency for strengthening our bonds with the blessed institution of Khilafat. There ensued an open question and answer session for all the participants, following which Imam Ahzar Haneef delivered pertinent closing remarks in which he quoted from and elaborated on Huzoor’saa message to the Africa Peace Symposium 2018, which called on all Africans, wherever in the world they lived, to play a role in the establishment of world peace:
“In light of the perilous state of the world, it is the urgent need of the time that people and nations set aside their vested interests and focus all their energies upon establishing peace through justice, compassion and mutual respect. A spirit of selflessness and a genuine desire to alleviate the suffering of others must overcome the selfish greed that has taken root in so much of the world.
“Now is the time to put aside our differences and for all people, whether religious or not, whether rich or poor, to come together and recognise the fact that we are all part of the same human race and united as such.
“The African Continent and its people, whether they live in Africa or have moved abroad, have a great role to play in establishing peace in the world. Thus, never underestimate yourselves or the potential of the African people. God Almighty has given the African people many qualities and capabilities and so it is your duty to work hard and fulfil your vast potential. For this, you must always act with justice and serve your nations with integrity and work towards their continued development and advancement.
“Recently, I sent a message to a similar event in Ghana where I said that I hoped the African people were the leaders in forming an alliance of peace. I hereby reiterate this message and I hope and pray that African people, wherever in the world they live, set a positive example for the rest of the world by establishing the highest standards of morality and justice. May the African people be the leaders in developing true peace in the world.” (Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, 27 October 2018)
The programme on the Lajna side began with a welcome address by Mrs Faosat Sanni, PAAMA UK Lajna President after Tilawat and translation. This was followed by a speech on My Journey to Ahmadiyyat by Haja Fatimah Demba Sahiba, an Ahmadi convert.
Short speeches from the various country representatives were then delivered to the audience. Both parallel meetings concluded with silent prayers, before dinner was served to the attendees.
The attendance on the men’s side was in the region of 400 and the ladies’ attendance was a little over 300. May Allah bless PAAMA to work in accordance with the directives of Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa. Amin