Mishaal Baten, Paraguay Correspondent
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Paraguay held its second Jalsa Salana on 12 March 2022, which was our first Jalsa after the pandemic with a gap of two years and was held in the capital city, Asunción.
The total attendance was 107 and had representation from five countries. Many tabligh contacts attended this blessed event and people from all over the country travelled by bus to participate.
The theme of this Jalsa Salana was “The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa – A Mercy for Mankind”. The speeches were held in Spanish, the main local language, and missionaries from the neighbouring Latin American countries came to speak at the Jalsa about different topics regarding the life and character of the Holy Prophetsa. Faith-inspiring stories of local converts were also shared.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa sent a special message for the attendees of this Jalsa, which was read out by Lal Khan Malik Sahib, Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada, and the translation in Spanish was read out by Abdun Nur Ghalib Baten Sahib, Missionary-in-Charge Paraguay.
Mr Marco Mendez, Director of the Ministry of Worship attended the Jalsa in representation of the Paraguayan government.
During the Jalsa days, Allah the Almighty enabled seven new souls to perform the bai‘at and join Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. Here are some comments from the new converts:
Elias Olivera said:
“Jalsa was one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. It nourished me with knowledge and Muslim customs, it helped me understand and get to know Allah.”
Fabio Pintos said:
“The Jalsa Salana was a very interesting experience, more for me since I am new to the community. I learned more about Islam and the Promised Messiahas. It was also discussed that no matter how seriously you take the practices of Islam, none of that matters if you are not humble and empathetic with others; this was the most important teaching that the Jalsa left for me. I had never seen so many Muslims in one place in Paraguay and hopefully, someday we will be much more. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is my second family and it was worth the nine-hours of travel I did to participate in the Jalsa. I am looking forward to the next one.”
Liza Bernal commented:
“This was my first Jalsa and it was a very unique experience. I understood that day that the Ahmadiyya Community really lives what it teaches. I saw a lot of humility of heart and I feel immense gratitude towards Allah for his guidance and for being part of the community.
“The letter that the Caliph sent us where he wished for the success of our Jalsa and knowing that we were in his prayers, all of this added enormously to my love for Allah. I never tire of thanking Allah for allowing me to experience Jalsa and to meet people who work and dedicate their time and their lives to Him and to the community, alhamdulillah.”
The local jamaat served with fervour in preparation for the Jalsa. Weeks before, the members got together to paint and repair the mission house and prepare it for the guests, cheerfully sacrificing their work and time to serve the Jamaat.
Most of these volunteers were people who had converted only in the last year or so, and some of them were not even Ahmadis; rather, they were tabligh contacts who passionately helped to make the Jalsa a success.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’s message to Jalsa Salana Paraguay 2022
“Dear Members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at, Paraguay,
السلام عليكم ورحمة اللّٰه وبركاته
“I am very pleased that you are holding your Annual Jalsa Salana on 12 March 2022 on the theme ‘The Holy Prophet صلی اللّٰه عليه وسلم a Mercy for Mankind.’ It is my prayer may Allah bless your Jalsa with great success and may all the participants gain immense blessings and may you increase in knowledge, goodness and piety.
“Allah addresses the Holy Prophet Muhammad صلی اللّٰه عليه وسلم in the Holy Quran as follows:
وَمَآ اَرْسَلْنٰكَ اِلَّا رَحْمَةً لِّلْعٰلَمِيْن
“‘And We have sent thee not but as a mercy for all peoples’ (Ch.21: V.108)
“The Promised Messiah عليه الصلوٰة والسلام has declared that the Holy Prophet Muhammad صلی اللّٰه عليه وسلم loved God to the extreme and he was most compassionate towards his fellow human beings. It was due to his intense love for Allah that he loved God’s creatures. He could not bear to see them in pain. God treats His servants under the divine attributes of grace and mercy. How can it be that the person whose sole purpose, whose every action and inaction was to win the pleasure of Allah, would not treat God’s creatures in the same manner as God would?
“Therefore, we should consider it our duty as Ahmadi Muslims to promote every aspect and beautiful moment of the life of this kind and merciful Prophet صلی اللّٰه عليه وسلم and uphold his honour in front of the whole world. We should constantly invoke salutations and blessings (durood) on the Holy Prophet Muhammad صلی اللّٰه عليه وسلم and pray to Allah to enable us to always emulate his blessed example.
“I remind you of the importance of respecting and fulfilling the conditions of the bai‘at which you have offered to the Promised Messiah عليه الصلوٰة والسلام and in striving hard to becoming sincere and good Ahmadi Muslims.
“In this regard, the Promised Messiah عليه الصلوٰة والسلام has stated as follows:
“‘This system of bai‘at has been established solely to gather together a group of the righteous people in a Jamaat so that a substantial group of the righteous people should make a holy impact on the world. The unity of these righteous people should be a source of blessings, grandeur, and positive results for Islam. The blessings of being united on one creed may enable them to perform noble and righteous services for the sake of Islam.’ [Majmua‘ah Ishtiharat, Vol. 1, pp. 196-198]
“The Promised Messiah عليه الصلوٰة والسلام instructed us with great care so that we could become rightful Ahmadis and establish a close relationship with Allah, Our Creator. His teachings are the source of our spiritual development because they greatly enhance our understanding of our faith Islam, enable us to acquire the profound knowledge contained in the Holy Qur’an and recognise the true status of the Holy Prophet Muhammad صلی اللّٰه عليه وسلم. It is essential for members of the Jamaat to read and ponder over his words of guidance and act upon them so as to attain those high spiritual standards that the Promised Messiah عليه الصلوٰة والسلام expected from the members of his Jamaat, and so that we can become exemplary Ahmadi Muslims.
“I remind you of the importance of the divine institution of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya and the need for each member of the Jamaat to form a strong bond with Khalifatul Masih. Close and firm attachment to Khilafat is the basis of unity and togetherness of our Jamaat. Therefore, only by remaining devoted to Khilafat will you be able to undertake the immense task of the revival of Islam on earth. Keep in mind that the solution to the problems of the world and the attainment of international peace can only be achieved by adhering to the system of Khilafat.
“May Allah bless your Jalsa Salana with great success and enable all of you bring about a real transformation in your lives towards increased virtue and righteousness. May Allah enable you to spread the peaceful message of Islam throughout Paraguay. May Allah bless you all.
“Wassalam
“Yours Sincerely,
[Signed]
“MIRZA MASROOR AHMAD
“KHALIFATUL MASIH V”