Khalifa tells Guyana’s Jalsa Salana to spread true message of Islam
It was quite an auspicious weekend as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Guyana hosted their 35th Jalsa Salana marked by prayers, singing, scripture readings and an important message from the Khalifa.
His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the world leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community also known as the Khalifa, sent a message to the convention which was relayed by the Head of the Guyanese arm of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, Aftadudin Nassir.
A section of the gathering at the Jalsa Salana which was hosted at the Cyril Potter College of Education over the weekend
In his letter, the Khalifa reminded that the main reasons for the Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) is to achieve closeness to Allah, to advance religious knowledge and understanding, bring about positive changes in one’s life, enhance the relationship of love and brotherhood, and make a pledge to spread the message of Islam to all corners of the earth.
The Khalifa also underscored the importance of staying close to the Creator and of ensuring peace prevails.
The Missionary in Charge of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Guyana, Ahsan Ullah Mangat, in his address, reminded attendees of the life of Prophet Mohamed, noting that his mercy was not limited to his friends and followers, but was extended to his enemies.
During an interview with Guyana Times on the sidelines of the event, Mangat explained that the purpose of this annual gathering is to continue to propagate the message of Islam which teaches to coexist peacefully with everyone.
Mangat also disclosed that the size of the Ahmadiyya community in Guyana is growing, with new members joining from Georgetown and Rosignol.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim community is a dynamic, fast growing international revival movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, it spans over 209 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Its current headquarters is in the United Kingdom.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim community is the only Islamic organisation to believe that the long-awaited Messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian. Hadrat Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Hadrat Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival.
Ahmadiyya Muslims in Guyana were established in the late 1950s in Sisters Village, Berbice. Its first and oldest mosque is located in that community. There are other places of worship across the country and the local organisation is hoping to commission a brand new mosque in Mahdia, Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni).
The faith was introduced to Guyana through a missionary who was posted in Trinidad and Tobago to spread the message of Islam. He soon became the first missionary in Guyana and thereafter, more missionaries were posted to continue to spread the message of peace which is the undertone of the community’s motto, “Love for all, hatred for none”.
