Namoode Sahar Kallon, Ishaat Department, Lajna Imaillah UK
On Sunday, 27 July 2025, at 12:30 pm, it is almost time for the moment both guests and duty-workers have been waiting for: the International Bai‘at Ceremony. This is an event that takes place on the last day of Jalsa Salana UK, in which pledges are declared for the belief in the Oneness of Allah, His Messengersa, His Imam Mahdi, the Promised Messiahas, and for their everlasting obedience to Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya.
On the ladies’ side of Jalsa, a mix of nervousness and excitement fills the air. On the big screens, women can see the men preparing the area in which Beloved Huzooraa will sit once he arrives. While the women are not physically there pledging their allegiance “at the hand of Masroor,” seeing this preparation is exhilarating enough. Simply at the sight of this, the ladies naturally bunch up and begin sitting close to each other, making neat rows.
As time grows nearer to 1 pm, when the International Bai‘at Ceremony will commence, quotes from the Promised Messiahas begin to show up on the screens in the main ladies’ marquee:
“Bai‘at truly means to sell yourself.”
“The reality of bai‘at is that the one who takes bai‘at instils sincere change and fear of God.”
Whether the women sitting in the main ladies’ marquee are renewing their pledges or taking part in the Bai‘at Ceremony for the first time, seeing these quotes on the screen succeeds in stirring their hearts. Enthusiasm and fear oscillate in turn as each woman is reminded that she is making a promise to Allah the Almighty, the Lord of All the Worlds.
Can I fulfil it when I know of my shortcomings?
Do I have the capability to keep my promises to Allah?
Yet, something strange occurs. Despite having these fears, the desire to make the promise still remains strong in every heart. It is as though the hearts of these women sitting patiently, anticipatingly and quietly are saying, “This is me, O Allah, with all my imperfections, with my ever present capability to fall but still, I want to show you that I want to try and sell myself to you and for your sake and obey your every command.”
One such woman is a guest called Nada from Egypt, who, before renewing her bai‘at, mentions how emotional she feels about it.
“Bai‘at is the most important part of Jalsa Salana for me, along with Beloved Huzoor’saa address to the ladies,” she says. “Last time I did bai‘at, it spiritually charged me for the entire year, so I know it will have the same effect for me this time.”
Nada Sahiba further goes on to mention that despite this being her third time at Jalsa Salana UK, she feels as though she was here just yesterday. She expresses the importance of attending Jalsa UK and seeing Beloved Huzooraa face to face, as it only increased her love for him when she saw him.
Dina and Karma Ahmed are also a mother and daughter from Egypt. While Dina is a very recent convert to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, her fifteen-year-old daughter, Karma and her twin brother, Ali, are not yet Ahmadi Muslims. Despite this, Karma Sahiba mentions that she likes it here at Jalsa Salana UK, and that the people are lovely and friendly.
Being in the UK for the first time, this is their first Jalsa Salana UK and, thus, Dina Sahiba’s first bai‘at. Before the ceremony begins, she mentions that she is excited for the bai‘at as she has only signed papers and documents to convert into the Ahmadiyya Community. She explains that her husband has been Ahmadi for many years and is a secretary in an Egyptian Jamaat – but had never forced her to convert. Rather, Dina Sahiba says her husband nicely explained the values of Islam Ahmadiyyat and encouraged her. Furthermore, the couple were initially to come to Jalsa Salana UK alone, but Dina Sahiba wanted both of her twin children to witness the atmosphere. Thus, the excitement is prevalent in the hearts of both this mother and daughter as they either take part in or witness their first-ever Bai‘at Ceremony.
At 12:57 pm, an announcement is made that Beloved Huzooraa is on his way. A hushed quiet immediately enters the main ladies’ marquee, despite its capacity to fit thousands, as the big screens show Beloved Huzoor’saa entourage driving towards the men’s main marquee to begin the International Bai‘at Ceremony. Heartbeats quicken, intentions are made, and no one has to say a word for each woman to understand that all the ladies around her, including herself, are about to be reborn.
At 1 pm, Beloved Huzooraa arrives and eyes already water at the sight of him walking towards the men’s main marquee. As Huzooraa begins, an indescribable force electrifies the air, and despite the male voices echoing through the speakers, each woman’s voice suddenly amplifies and becomes a microphone of her own, as she boldly proclaims, “I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah […]”
The desire for the Promised Messiahas to have his Community sell themselves to Allah Almighty truly manifests across the ladies’ jalsa gah as the only thing they care about in that moment is making their firm promises to Allah and begging for his forgiveness, in unison, they all hold each other accountable.
As the silent prayer takes place, fierce sobs and sniffles from every corner of the main ladies’ marquee are heard. The atmosphere becomes purified, electrified and fresh as the International Bai’at Ceremony comes to an end, and there is a visible difference in each and every woman after pledging their allegiance.
Returning to Dina and Karma Sahiba after having participated and witnessed their first-ever bai‘at, this visible difference is indeed seen as their faces light up. Dina Sahiba mentions that the bai‘at was an indescribable experience and that it was much different from just signing papers. Now, she really feels as though she is an Ahmadi Muslim. Similarly, her daughter Karma Sahiba says that her heart felt particularly heavy at the part where everyone asks for forgiveness from Allah in unison. She then goes on to mention that she feels more interested and inclined towards Islam Ahmadiyya.
Many other women feel renewed, with Asima Zahir Wise Sahiba, a guest from the USA Jamaat, explaining that the bai‘at was electrifying:
“It was electrifying. When people say ‘speaking in tongues’, I understand what they mean by that now, after hearing Huzooraa speak and say the prayers during the bai‘at. It renewed my spirit, and I will never be the same.”
She continues to mention that it has been around six or seven years since she returned to Jalsa Salana UK and after renewing her bai‘at, she ‘absolutely cannot be the same. I just have to be pleasing to Allah, always.”
Valencia Gathings, also known as Rashida Rafat Sahiba, from St Louis, USA, gives her touching, emotional experience after taking her bai‘at.
“There is an electricity you can feel in the air. Everyone anticipates this moment of beloved Huzooraa leading the bai‘at. You also know that there are new spiritual souls coming into the Ahmadiyya Jamaat during the ceremony, and I’m so grateful to Allah for all these new souls from all over the world.”
Rashida Sahiba continues and mentions her favourite part of the ceremony:
“There’s a hush and quiet when it’s announced that Beloved Huzooraa is coming, and it’s a moment of zikr. When the bai‘at itself begins, it really gets me when we ask for forgiveness from Allah. It’s a moment of reflection and always an emotional experience. I’m so grateful.”
Similarly, Sadr Sahiba Lajna Nigeria, Taofeeqah Fagbolade, feels reborn after renewing her bai‘at:
“I feel like I’ve been given a new life,” she says. “I feel spiritually uplifted and fulfilled. I pray for Huzoor to continue guiding us.”
Thus, it is clear that the International Bai’at Ceremony is truly a highlight of Jalsa Salana UK, as is evident from the collection of words shared by Lajna guests describing their experience above. As beloved Huzooraa then leads everyone in Zuhr and Asr prayers, women from all over the world who attended the Jalsa now feel spiritually rejuvenated, reborn and ready to try their utmost best to fulfil the Ten Conditions of Bai‘at, starting with the formal worship of Allah the Almighty.
