Ahtesham Najeeb Chaudhry, Nazim-e-A’la ijtema
Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya and Majlis Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya USA held its 54th ijtema at the Baitur Rahman Mosque in Silver Spring, Maryland, on 11-13 October 2024. The ijtema was attended by a Markazi representative, Syed Amer Safir Sahib, serving as the Chief Editor of The Review of Religions.
The highlight of the programme was the special message sent by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. The formal proceedings began on 11 October, after the Jumuah prayer, with the flag hoisting and opening session presided over by Syed Amer Safir Sahib, who addressed the members. Following this, khuddam and atfal independently held their programmes as separate arrangements were made for both auxiliaries. The ijtema included various academic and sports competitions.
The MKA Hub is a staple feature of the ijtema. This year, a new addition was the outdoor stage where several engaging talks and panel discussions were organised, including sessions on “The Existence Project vs Top Atheist Tik-Toks”, “Mental Wellbeing”, “Finding Your Match Made in Heaven”, “Justice in Gaza”, “Raising Children in the Modern World”, “Conquering Personal Struggles with Faith”, “Managing Finances” and “Emergency Readiness”. On Saturday evening, an Urdu mushaira was held, followed by an Urdu discussion with Sadr Majlis.
On Friday evening, an address was delivered by Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya USA, Abdullah Dibba Sahib, on the theme of the year. On Saturday, two sessions were held in the main ijtema gah, the first titled “Fulfilling our Pledges through Wasiyyat” and the second, a keynote address and question and answer by Syed Amer Safir Sahib, on Saturday evening.
After the opening session, Majlis Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya began their ijtema activities. On Saturday afternoon, atfal had a session with Amer Safir Sahib. The ijtema concluded on Sunday, with the closing session presided over by Amer Safir Sahib. Dr Faheem Younus Qureshi Sahib, Naib Amir Jamaat USA also delivered an address on the theme of the year. After the award ceremony, Amer Safir Sahib addressed the attendees. The ijtema was attended by 1,958 participants, including 1,145 khuddam, 440 atfal and 373 guests, with 52 of the 53 majalis and all 10 regions being represented.