Zaheer Ahmad Khan, Missionary and Naib Afsar Jalsa Salana UK
The annual convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Jalsa Salana UK, will this year take place from Friday 26 July to Sunday 28 July. Preparations are in full swing, and for those involved in the build-up, days feel like hours, and hours like minutes. This report provides an overview of the progress made so far and new features to be expected at this year’s jalsa.
Groundwork begins in January
The management meetings for Jalsa Salana UK started in January 2024. Communications with major suppliers and vendors commenced at the start of the year, focusing on the procurement of essential infrastructure items such as tracks, marquees, generators, tower lights, and air conditioning units for the main marquees. Contracts were finalised in March and April.
May marked the beginning of food supply acquisitions. Staple ingredients used in the langar khana throughout the jalsa period, such as flour, rice, and lentils, started arriving and were stored. Such deliveries will continue to arrive, with the inventory being regularly updated.
28-day build-up period
The 28-day build-up period, which involves both the build-up and wind-up of the entire jalsa site, officially started on 9 July this year. Hampshire Council and South Downs National Park authorities have since been conducting inspections to ensure the guidelines and regulations are adhered to and upheld.
On the first day, despite heavy rainfall causing damage to certain parts of the site, work progressed rapidly with the use of heavy machinery. With the special prayers of Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa, the situation improved immensely with better weather conditions. This was reminiscent of the hadith, in which the Holy Prophetsa prayed: “O Allah, let it rain around us and not on us.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1033)
Build-up progress
As of the latest update, the following progress has been made:
– 30% of the metal track has been laid
– 30% of required toilets have arrived on-site
– 25% of the site perimeter fence is complete
– 15% of cabins (used as offices, accommodation and more) are in place
– 5% of showers have been installed
– The men’s main marquee flooring is complete, the frame is up, and the roof is under construction
– 8% of smaller marquees (such as dining, accommodations, and scanning) are now up
– All seven toilet marquees (four for men and three for women) have been erected, and construction of the toilet cubicles within them is now underway
– Following the initial weather damage, roughly 50% of the site ground has been levelled and repaired
New features for Jalsa Salana UK 2024
1. Expanded kitchen facilities: A new kitchen with 60 new burners, supplementing the existing 172 burners in the old kitchen, to accommodate the growing number of guests (preparations are being made for up to 50,000 attendees).
2. Wi-Fi zones: Replacing the previous EE mast and booster system, new Wi-Fi zones will be available throughout the site, including the accommodation areas, car parks, and main marquees. These zones will support WhatsApp messages and voice messages, with a maximum capacity of 10,000 people to be connected at once (optimal performance at 6,000 connections).
3. New entry gate: A new gate (1A) has been established on the Alton side of the site, which was made possible, after Allah’s grace, with the help and cooperation of a local neighbour. This will further facilitate easier entry and exit, with colour-coded car passes for different cohorts of attendees.
Operational departments
Several key departments are now functional, including Khidmat-e-Khalq, Health and Safety, Site Store, Maintenance, Water Supply, Electricity, Communication, Roti Plant, and more.
Waqf-e-Arzi and international co-operation
Volunteers from Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya UK has been actively involved since the beginning of the 28-day period. This year, around 400 khuddam from Canada will also be attending and helping with the wind-up to gain experience for their own outdoor jalsa.
As Jalsa Salana UK 2024 approaches, the organisers continue to work diligently to ensure a successful and spiritually uplifting event for all attendees.