Ahmadiyya Muslim to pray for peaceful polls during annual Jalsa

DAR ES SALAAM: THE Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Tanzania will hold special prayers for peaceful national elections during its 54th Annual Conference, known as Jalsa Salana.

The three-day event is scheduled to take place from this Friday to Sunday at Kitonga, Msongola, in Ilala District, Dar es Salaam.

This was announced yesterday by the Jamaat’s Secretary for Internal Affairs, Mr Yahya Yusuf, during a press briefing held in Dar es Salaam.

Held under the theme “Islam and Human Rights”, the convention is expected to attract approximately 6,000 participants from across Tanzania and abroad.

The event will also bring together government officials, political party representatives, religious leaders and community figures who will deliver messages of guidance, unity and peace.

Mr Yusuf said that, in line with tradition, the faithful will participate in a special late-night Tahajjud prayer to ask for divine protection and peace during the upcoming General Election.

“As is customary during the convention, worshippers will take part in Tahajjud prayers. This year, we will specifically pray through humility and tears for our beloved country to go through the election period safely,” he said.

He added that the act aligns with the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who said: “Love for one’s country is part of faith.”

Mr Yusuf also said that the Jalsa serves as a platform for promoting the true message of Islam and countering misconceptions related to the religion, such as the misuse of jihad, terrorism, rebellion against governments and extremist ideologies.

“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is committed to striving for peace across the world,” he stressed.

Speaking on this year’s theme, he said it is intended to remind participants of the importance of respecting and upholding human rights, in accordance with the Qur’an, Sunnah and Hadith.

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Topics to be covered at the convention include the Prophet’s perspective on human rights, Islamic teachings on caring for orphans, widows and elderly parents, rights of children, close relatives, the poor, travellers, prisoners, patients and neighbours.

Others are the prohibition of alcohol, gambling and immorality and their impact on human rights, the rights and responsibilities of spouses in marriage and divorce as well as principles and boundaries of freedom of expression.

Mr Yusuf also noted that the Jalsa will highlight the Jamaat’s commitment to serving society.

One of the planned activities is a blood donation campaign to support the National Blood Bank, involving participants whose age and health conditions permit.

On his part, the head of the Jamaat in Tanzania (Amir), Sheikh Khawaja Muzaffar Ahmad, explained that the tradition of holding Jalsa Salana was established by the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be upon him).

According to Sheikh Muzaffar, the purpose of the Jalsa is to increase God-consciousness (Taqwa), promote compassion and humility and nurture generosity, righteousness and truthfulness among believers.

“Jalsa enables every sincere participant to benefit spiritually, deepen their knowledge of Almighty God and foster stronger bonds of love and brotherhood within the community,” he said.