Our National Ijtema Goal is 1111
By Qasim Rashid
July 18, 2008 - Twenty Nine Years of Ijtemas, Months of planning, a three day exhillaration in Milton, NY, had all come down to this one moment. Respected Sadr Sahib Dr. Faheem Younus Qureshi stood at the podium at the conclusion of the 29th Annual MKA USA National Ijtema.  In his hand was a piece of paper.  On that piece of paper, was a number.  That number represented something important, dare I say crucial, to all those who were blessed to attend the National Itjema in 2007.
One question ran through everyones mind.  "Did we reach 1000?"  Over and over I repeated this thought in my mind.  Our Respected Sadr, our National Amila, our Qaideen, and all Khuddam present had worked tirelessly in a massive team effort to make this the largest MKA National Ijtema in the history of the USA Jamaat.
 
"Are there any people who have still not registered?" echoed the solemn but confident voice of our Respected Sadr. 
 
"If you have not registered, please do not be shy.  It still isn't too late to register," Respected Sadr Sahib continued.
 
My heart sank for a moment.  I knew we were close.  We all did.  "Oh no we missed it," ran through my mind.  Immediately I began thinking to make sure I had registered, that my friends and guests had registered.  Thoughts of 996 or 999 khuddam ran through my  mind. 
 
"Last call," continued Sadr Sahib. "This is your last chance to register.  Any takers?"
 
The hall was dead silent.  Somewhere close to 1000 souls waited in anticipation.  Was it 1000?  We were about to find out.
 
"Ok, if there aren't any more people, then I would like to read out the number of Khuddam who participated in this National Ijtema," continued Respected Sadr Sahib.
 
I thought I heard a thumping sound.  I realized my heart was beating so fast i could barely stand to wait any longer.  All eyes were fixed on the piece of paper held by our Respected Sadr. 
 
"This year," Sadr Sahib slowly continued
 
"By the Grace of Allah,"  Sadr Sahib paused,
 
"We had 1008 Brothers attend the Khuddamul - "  That was as far as Sadr Sahib got as he was interrupted by "NAARAAAAAAYYYYYY TAKBEEEEERRRR!!!"
 
A thousand collective souls, 1008 to be exact, responded with their full might, "ALLAAH HO AKBAR!!!"
 
The rest is history my dear friends.  Those 1008 brothers who attended the 29th Ijtema last year will be immortalized in MKA USA History to have attended the first Ijtema of over 1000 attendees and the largest Ijtema ever...
 
...that is, the largest Ijtema ever until now.
 
This blessed 100th year of Khilafat is also the 30th year of the MKA USA National Ijtema.
 
Our National goal is 1111.
 
So the only question you have to ask yourself is...
 
...will you be 1 of them?