In his opening address, the Amir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, The Gambia emphasised the peaceful nature of Islam and urged participants to use the days of convention (Jalsa Salana) to attain higher spiritual status. Amir Sahib Baba F Trawally also highlighted on the exalted status of the Holy Qur’an and essence of reciting it.
“I welcome you all to this noble and spiritual gathering and pray that every word in this gathering will be of spiritual enlightenment and development to all guests and participants. This gathering has only one objective and that is achieving the love and pleasure of Allah Almighty. Therefore, every moment of the Jalsa should be spent in the remembrance of Allah Almighty and sending down blessings on His beloved, the best of humanity, Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw).
“Let it be remembered that the blessings and effects of the Holy Qur’an were not limited to the age in which it was revealed; it is meant to bring about the same changes in every age that follows. The world is passing through very difficult times, especially the Muslim world, because of indifference to this Noble Book. A heart deprived of the Holy Qur’an is a desolate one in which anything evil can grow and flourish. Why should the Muslim Ummah be in so much turmoil while still in the possession of the cure of all illnesses—the Holy Qur’an? This does not detract anything from the efficacy of this Holy Book but it shows that those who possess the Book do not give it the due regard. His Holiness, Hadhrat Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him), Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at said that the chief purpose of a Book of God and a Messenger of God is to rescue the world from a life of sin and to establish a holy relationship between God and the world. The Muslim world should therefore turn to this Holy Book so that their troubles would become history.
Learn the Holy Qur’an, practice it and teach it to others. The Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) said that the best person is he or she who learns the Holy Qur’an and teaches it to others. Only those who honour the Holy Book shall be honoured in heaven. He further said that every single commandment of the Holy Qur’an should be obeyed and disobedience to any of its seven hundred commandments spells the doom of an individual. The heart should be a throne of the Holy Qur’an,” he said.
In his address at the women section, Amir Trawally stressed the importance of observing the teachings of Islam and instructions of the Holy Qur’an. “Women are nation builders; no society can prosper without righteous women. The Holy Qur’an describes righteous women as those who are obedient and guard the secrets of their husbands. The upbringing of children is the joint responsibility of both parents. The righteous upbringing of children is impossible without an environment of love, affection, trust and kindness. We should tolerate each other and show children the best examples,” he told the women participants.
“The status of women in Islam is very high. In fact, it was a woman (Hadhrat Khaddija (RA)) who was the first to accept Islam, comfort the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) and gave all her belongings for the furtherance and propagation of Islam. Islam makes no distinction between the spirituality of men and women; all are rewarded accordingly. Allah the Almighty says that believing men and women who live a righteous life are equally granted forgiveness and great reward. The Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) has even said that Paradise lies under the feet of the mothers,” he said.
In his concluding address at closing session of the convention, Amir Trawally reminded all participants to remain devoted to Allah the Almighty. He said that Allah, the Almighty should be the object of everyone’s worship; fear, love and hope should be for God alone. He also told the participants that no action that is detrimental to the well-being of society should be committed by a Muslim.
“The Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) said that a person cannot be a recipient of Allah’s mercy if he doesn’t show mercy to others and none shall be grateful to Allah Almighty without being grateful to mankind. The Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw) was mercy for the entire creation. His true followers should therefore be examples of mercy to humanity. These are the noble qualities that the Jalsa aims to instill in us. Let us always reflect on them wherever we are and whatever we do. Like the Companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (saw), let higher moral and spiritual values be our distinctive features. May Allah Almighty enable us attain the highest moral and spiritual heights. Ameen.”
Amir Sahib used to occasion to extend salam and special prayers of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (atba), Supreme and Spiritual head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at. He also requested prayer for Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V (atba) and our beloved and dear motherland, The Gambia.
“Nurture and nourish love and obedience for the institution of Khilafat and instil the same in the younger generation. Pray for our dear country the Gambia and the sub-region, the Arab world and humanity at large,” he advised.
The Governor Lower River Region (LRR), Honourable Salif Pouye, stated that he considered himself lucky and privileged to attend the 38th Jalsa Salana of The Gambia. He said he was attracted to the messages of the Jama’at as expressed on the banners that were hanging all over. He indicated that some of the wisdom is the basis of success for many great economies in the world such as China. He argued that if the Gambia is to develop it must adopt some of these teachings on the banners as its guiding principles and policies of development. He went on to praise Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at The Gambia for the high level of discipline he saw in Jama’at members at the gathering. He said that no country can flourish without discipline.
The Paramount Chief, Alhaji Demba Sanyang, said one of the reasons for his appreciation of the invitation is that the annual convention is because it started with the recitation of the Holy Quran and was followed by the recitation of a poem in praise of the Holy Prophet, Hadhrat Muhammad Mustapha (saw) written by the Promised Messiah and Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as). He said this is a clear testimony to the truthfulness of the Jama’at as an Islamic body and he applauded the valuable efforts of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in National Development.
Other speakers at the opening session included the Chief of Kiang Central, Demba Sanyang, Kasum Ceesay of Mamut Fana, the Alkalo of Jalamba, Muhammad Lamin Jatta and the Alkalo of Old Yundum Alh. Mamudou Faye, who all expressed gratitude to Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at The Gambia for its immense contribution to the quality of lives of Gambian people in general and in the development of education and health sectors as well as missionary work.
Mr. Fabakary Kalleh spoke on the topic: Khilafat: The Unifying Force. He said in the Holy Qur’an Allah informs Muslims about Khilafat and promised them reward. He stated that the role played by a Khalifa is both spiritual and secular.
Naib Amir & Missionary In-Charge, Ustaz Syed Saeed Ul Hassan Shah deliberated on the topic: “Muhammad (saw) As Defender of Human Rights”. He explained that in the first instance, Islam takes Human Rights as part of a much wider question of rights of all creatures of God, and for that matter the Rights of the Creator Himself.
Mr. Kemo Sonko for his part spoke on the topic: “World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace”. “A cursory glance at the state of today’s world reveals prevalence of economic, social, moral, and political turmoil that has destroyed the peace of the world. There is overwhelmingly feeling that the world needs peace and is in dire need of guidance that leads to peace. This is where Islam offers perfect solution to the chaotic situation that prevails in the world today by providing guidance that if followed, will lead to permanent peace. Islam teaches that in order for peace to be established, there must occur change of attitude on the part of man by abandoning cruelty and oppression and apply the principle of absolute justice. The growing tension in today’s world is viewed by many as a recipe for global war and if proper guidance is not given that creates values that guarantee the application of absolute justice under all circumstances, the world will inevitably plunge itself into destruction.
Islam’s guidance to the path of peace is that the treatment of one’s loved ones should not be different from the treatment of even one’s perceived enemies and under no circumstances should the course of justice be allowed to be interfered with,” he noted.
The Amir and Missionary-in-Charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Senegal, Maulana Nasir Ahmad Saindhu congratulated The Gambia on their 38th National Jalsa Salana and prayed for a blessed and successful convention. Amir Sahib also dilated on the history of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at worldwide, reflecting on some key developments and divine prophecies of the Holy Founder of the Jama’at, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS). He noted the importance of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at The Gambia as part of the fulfilment of some of the prophecies of Hadhrat Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi (as).
For her part, Sist. Musukebba Jarjou, Sadr Lajna Ima’illah The Gambia (women wing of the Jama’at) called on her fellow women to be obedient wives and look up to the wives of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustapha (saw) as their perfect role models. She further noted that similar thoughts should be inculcated in the children for they are the future. “We should serve as role models for our children and teach them high moral standards. We should always be obedient to our husbands and also those in authority over us,” she emphasised during Lajna session on Saturday 12th April 2014.
Sister Aneela Naseer Khan said that the significance of financial sacrifice for women is rooted in the Holy Quran and the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). She also noted that Hadhrat Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi (as) has said that it is important for all those who count themselves among his followers that they should help this Jama’at with their money. She advised also participants to be regular in the payment of financial subscriptions.
Sister Mansourat Ikumapie spoke on “Islam and Obedience to Authorities”. She said that indeed obedience is a fundamental part of Islam which sits at the very heart of the system of Jama’at-e-Ahmadiyya. She explained that obedience means compliance, submission, agreement and respect. She also said that according to the Holy Quran, the hallmark of a true believer is: “We hear and we obey” (Ch 2: V 286). This attitude of ‘hear and obey; is not under duress. The context of this verse proves that this trait which is true of a believer is a natural outcome of their belief in Allah. She stated that a mere proclamation of belief is nothing unless it is accompanied by complete obedience. She said Allah admonishes us in Quran (Ch 4: V 60) “O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey His Messenger and those who are in authority among you (Ch 4: V 60)” This verse”, she explained, “admonishes us to obey those in authority in addition to Allah and His messenger. The verse went on to tell us that, the only time we are allowed to disobey is when we are asked to worship any other thing apart from Allah and against His commandments. She said it is also essential that we should obey the laws of the country where we live.
Sist. Baturu S J Camara spoke on the topic: The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) As A Perfect Model for All”. “Allah Almighty sent prophets before the advent of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The past prophets were truly holy, excellent and virtue. However, all of them together prophesied the coming of the most perfect and sacred messenger, the Holy Prophet Muhammad of Islam (pbuh),” she said.
“The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is the finest example of a perfect man in every sense of the term. He was a shining example of virtue and is the best exemplar for the human race. He had the finest qualities of modesty, truthfulness, kindness, patience, loyalty, honesty, courage, bravery, generosity, magnanimity, wisdom and all the perfectness a mind can imagine. By studying his lofty character and the amazingly simple life he (pbuh) led with his household, companions, wives and humanity as a whole, there are great lessons for us as women’s wing of the Jama’at,” she emphasised.
The Jalsa attracted over seven thousand five hundred (7500) participants from across the country and delegations from Guinea Bissau and Senegal.
May Allah Almighty make us all His devoted and sincere servants and followers of His commandments. May He be our sole objective in whatever we do and enable us to perform our duties and responsibilities in the service of humanity. Ameen!
Wassalam
Yours Sincerely,
……………………………….
Saiba Susso
Head of Press & Publicity
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