MORE than 30,000 Ahmadi Muslims will meet in Hampshire for the first time since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic this weekend. Jalsa Salana, the UK’s longest running Islamic convention will be held in Worldham, near Alton, will see Ahmadi Muslims gather for prayer, discussion and spiritual rejuvenation from August 5-7. The aim of the event is to highlight the peaceful teachings of Islam and to help attendees better understand the faith. The convention is organised by 7,000 volunteers. It did not take place in 2020 and was on a much smaller scale in 2021, so this will be the first year since the start of the pandemic that Jalsa Salana can be held at full capacity again. The convention in 2019. Photo: Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The highlight of the event will be the attendance of the Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, leader to millions of Ahmadi Muslims across the world.

He will deliver an address on each of the three days, providing insight on social issues at a time of global uncertainty. His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad has reiterated his commitment to spreading peace, saying: ‘A golden principle given by the Founder of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him) is that a true Muslim should like for others, what he likes for himself. I believe that this simple and profound point, if acted upon, not just by Muslims, but by all people, is the means for everlasting peace in society. “No doubt, everyone desires peace for themselves and their loved ones, but most people will be lying if they claim that they want their opponents and competitors to have peace and to live with contentment. Yet this is the standard of nobility and generosity of spirit that Islam requires. It is a religion and teaching that promotes selflessness and urges humans to discard all traces of selfishness.” The convent in 2019. Photo: Ahmadiyya Muslim Community