Usama Umar Joya, Missionary, Mayotte Island
The second Jalsa Salana of Mayotte Island was held on 20 and 21 of December 2019 in our Salat Centre, located in the village of Majicavo.
Mayotte is an island in the Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the coast of Mozambique. It is a department and region of France, although traditional Mayotte culture is most closely related to that of the neighbouring Comoros islands.
Mayotte island is the only department of France which has a Muslim population of 95%, of which the majority are adherents of the Shafiite school of thought.
In 2009, Ahmadiyyat was introduced to the Island for the very first time through Muslim Television Ahmadiyya International (MTA). Initially the Jamaat consisted of 35 members, however today, by the grace of Allah, there are many more Ahmadi Muslims here.
For the second Jalsa Salana of Mayotte Island, members of the Jamaat in all departments worked with great zeal to welcome the guests of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, to spend two days of spirituality and brotherhood.
Among the guests of Jalsa Salana this year was, notably the Amir of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Mauritius, Muhammad Aniff Muslim Sahib. Tahajud prayers were offered on both days of Jalsa Salana at the Jamaat Salat Centre.
The Jalsa Salana was officially inaugurated with the flag hoisting ceremony led by the Amir of Mauritius, which was done after Friday prayers and a collective meal.
The ladies were seated downstairs and were able to follow the live proceedings of the Jalsa via a live video feed. After, Muhammad Aniff Sahib, delivered the opening speech of the Jalsa.
The live sermon of our beloved Huzoor, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, was broadcast later during the day and was watched by the Jalsa congregation, who were also given the live translation in the local language.
During the two days of the Jalsa Salana, the speeches covered a wide range of topics relating to the tarbiyat of members of the Jamaat. Speeches included topics such as an introduction to the Jamaat, the God of Muslims and the whole of humanity, the supremacy of Allah, financial sacrifice, the love for God Almighty being the key to success, the perfect religion that is Islam and the five pillars of Islam.
Amir Jamaat Mauritius also urged the participants to remember Allah profusely and to offer constant prayers during the proceedings of the Jalsa.
The next day, I had the opportunity to deliver a speech on the blessed example of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him.
The concluding address was delivered by Amir Sahib.
After Zuhr and Asr prayers, members enjoyed another collective lunch, the last blessed meal of this Jalsa Salana of Mayotte.