Tahir Ahmad Machengo, Kenya Correspondent
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Kenya successfully held their 54th Jalsa Salana from 7 to 8 December. The theme of this year’s Jalsa was “Spending in the way of Allah”.
The opening flag hoisting was conducted led by Amir and Missionary-in-Charge Kenya, Tariq Mahmood Sahib. The chief guest of the first day was Hon Chirau Ali Mwakwere, who also addressed the Jalsa. He touched upon the Jamaat’s contribution towards welfare of people and society. He said that he knew the Jamaat as a worldwide community and as the most successful of all Islamic denominations around the world.
Thereafter, Amir Sahib delivered his opening address. In his address he read out the message that Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa had sent to Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Kenya.
Huzooraa said that he was very pleased that Jamaat Kenya was holding Jalsa Salana. He prayed that Allah may bless our Jalsa and that we may all excel in goodness. Huzooraa reminded us all that we were gathered for spiritual guidance, reiterating that many are Muslims by name, but do not practice the true teachings of Islam and that they are dominated by materialism and worldly gains. He said that we should strive to fulfill our Ba‘iat to the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas.
Session two was presided by Naib Amir, Sameer Sheikh Sahib. After tilawat and a Swahili poem, a speech by Sheikh Rashid Oduma Sahib was delivered. It touched upon the fulfillment of prophecies about the Promised Messiah and Mahdi of the latter days as believed by leading world religions, including Sikhism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.
Another speech was delivered by Sheikh Nasir Mahmood Tahir about examples of financial sacrifices in the way of Allah as practiced by the Holy Prophetsa his rightly guided Khulafara, as well as the Promised Messiahas and his Khulafa.
Another speech was delivered by Sheikh Ramadhan Juma Sahib about the spiritual revolution that manifested when the Holy Prophetsa was sent. Another speech by Maulana Sheikh Abdullah Hussein Juma was delivered. The topic was about our responsibilities as Ahmadi Muslims. He explained that for us to understand our roles and responsibilities, it is incumbent upon us to read the book, Conditions of Bai‘at and Responsibilities of an Ahmadi, compiled from sermons delivered by our Imamaa.
On Sunday, sessions began at 9am, with tilawat followed by a Swahili nazm. The first speech was delivered by Sheikh Qassim Muchere Sahib about the blessed character of the Holy Prophetsa, in which he referred to the Holy Quran that reiterates the Prophet’ssa morals.
Another speech by Mwalim Nasir Hadji Sahib was about the truth of Promised Messiahas. He said that all people recognised the Promised Messiahas as trustworthy, truthful, honest and with good character.
Another speech by Sheikh Rashid Obatt Sahib was about the importance of obedience to Nizam-e-Jamaat. He recalled a hadith where Hazrat Anasra is reported to have said that the Holy Prophetsa said to hear and obey even if a slave, whose head is like a raisin is appointed to rule over you.
A speech about the contributions of technology and social media towards the spread of Islam followed and was delivered by Sheikh Abdul Basit Sahib.
The closing session of Jalsa Salana Kenya began with tilawat, followed by a nazm. A speech about blessings of financial sacrifice was delivered by Sheikh Malik Basharat Sahib, who said that if we spend in the way of Allah, then we will be among the ones whom Allah promised to protect when He gave glad tidings to the Promised Messiahas, that He would protect everyone who was in his house.
A concluding speech was delivered by Amir Sahib, who recited a verse from Holy Quran, “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided. And remember the favour of Allah upon you when you were enemies and He brought your hearts together”.
Amir Sahib said that an imam becomes a shield to his followers, and as Jamaat members, the Khalifa is our shield because he loves us and prays for us.
The Jalsa concluded with silent prayer. A total of 899 people attended, including 545 men and 354 women.