A Jalsa of Many Firsts Comes to a Close
Article by Qasim Rashid and Salaam Bhatti
MKA USA Newswire

The year was 1998.  The event was the 50th Annual USA Jalsa Salana.  The location was Silver Spring, MD.  Most importantly, in all his beauty and glory presided our beloved Khalifatul Masih IV (rh).  That Jalsa was to be the last time America was graced with the presence of Khalifatul Masih IV (rh).  It was the last time our Nasirat would sing beautiful poems of praise for our dear Khalifa.  Indeed, it was the last time Majlis Khuddamal Ahmadiyya had the blessed opportunity to serve the Khalifa of the time.  The year was 2008.  As our Respected Sadr Faheem Younus Qureshi so eloquently put it, ten long Ramadans had passed and the Eid we had been waiting for, patiently or impatiently, had finally arrived.  June 16th, 2008 marked the first visit of Khalifatul Masih to America in 10 years.  As Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) stepped out of his car and onto the grounds of Bait ur Rehman Masjid, an eruption of joy and excitement flowed forth from almost 2000 American Ahmadi Muslims who had been waiting in anticipation to welcome him personally.  The following days continued to exude the same excitement.  A general feeling of euphoria transcended the atmosphere.  Every few hours the air filled with cheerful cries of “Narray Takbeer” as Huzoor walked to and from the Masjid.  All the excitement reached a zenith point from June 20-22, 2008 at the epic 60th Annual USA Jalsa Salana in Harrisburg, PA.

Huzoor delivered a brilliant Friday sermon, spoke at length to our respected Lajna on Saturday, and concluded with an unforgettable lecture on Sunday.  Over 9500 Ahmadi Muslims attended the Jalsa, double the amount of last year’s Jalsa and more than any US Jalsa in history.  While the 1998 Jalsa was seemingly a Jalsa of “lasts,” this 2008 Jalsa was indeed a Jalsa of ‘firsts’.  It was the first Jalsa in the second centenary of Khilafat.  It was the first Jalsa our Khalifa attended in the US.  It was the first Jalsa that saw over 700 guests and 9500 Ahmadi Muslims attend.  It was also the first Jalsa that saw the first ever organization of the blessed Khilafat Team.

The Khilafat Team comprised several hundred Khuddam who sacrificed their time, money, and comfort solely for the sake of Khilafat.  For a full week, these team members worked tirelessly, day in and day out to ensure everything was ready for this most important US Jalsa.  To list the accomplishments of each member would be impossible, but Allah certainly knows every detail of this blessed scheme.  Congratulations to those who participated in this blessed scheme.  Congratulations to those who put the comfort of the Khalifa above their own comfort.  Congratulations to those who realize that this is the first step to bring Jamaat Ahmadiyya USA to the forefront of the world. 

While the week consisted of skipped meals and skipped sleep, Respected Sadr Faheem Younus Qureshi remained the beacon by which we all found light.  He embodied the meaning of Khilafat through not only his words, but also his actions.  In the end it was due to his vision of how Khilafat Team would work that made it a true success.  May Allah enable our dear Sadr to continue working for the cause of Khilafat.  May Allah enable Majlis Khuddamal Ahmadiyya USA to continue to fulfill it’s Khuddam pledge to Khalifatul Masih.  May this Jalsa of “firsts,” not become a Jalsa of “lasts” as well, and may we see the blessed face of our beautiful Khalifa in the very near future in America, Insha’allah.