Yesterday I had the privilege to be invited to the Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Associatoin UK is part of the world-wide Ahmadiyya community, whose defining characteristic is their pursuit of peace and promoting good works, especially in developing countries. The Ahmadiyya communmity is devoted to “love for all hatred for none”, and a banner declaring this was to be found in the main hall.
The Jalsa Salana is a huge annual outdoor event held at the Association’s farm in East Worldham, Hampshire. Many Ahmadiyya live in London and I was asked to go to the Jalsa Salana in place of Robert Evans, who had close links with them while he was an MEP. During my tour of the Convention, I was particularly interested to learn of the work the Ahmadiyya Community is doing in Africa to restore wells and bring water to people who desperately need it.
I was very privileged to speak in the presence of His Holiness, the fifth Ahmadiyya Khalifa in the large hall at the Convention which was bursting at the seams. Also speaking were Susan Kramer, Lib Dem MP for Richmond Park, the Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington, John McDonnell, as well as former Labour MP Tom Cox plus several local council representatives.
My especial thanks to Mr Latif Khan and Mr Salim Malik who looked after very well during the day, and greetings to Jagdish Sharma who I unfortunately missed as he was held up in a traffic accident on the M3.
Filed under: Muslim | Tagged: Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK, Jagdish Sharma, John McDonnell, Latif Khan, Robert Evans, Salim Malik, Susan Kramer, Tom Cox
