What is the Khilafat Team?
The Khilafat Team consists of the core group of volunteers who have taken time off from their regular routines (ie. work and family responsibilities) from Sunday, June 15th to Sunday, June 22nd; to be in the company of our beloved Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba). The most important criteria to be on this team is their soild committment for the entire week mentioned above.

If I am serving on the Rapid Response Team, how can I also be on the Khilafat Team at the same time? Am I on 2 seperate teams? I'm confused.
The Khilafat Team encompases all of the Khidmat-e-Khalq volunteers who have made themselves available from 6/15-6/22. Under the umbrella of the Khilafat Team, the 150+ volunteers have been divided into smaller volunteer teams (sub-categories). Some of these smaller sub-categories include:

General Security Team                                    Traffic & Parking Team
HK Team                                                         Transportation team
Rapid Response Team                                      KK Daftar/Admin Team
Volunteer Services Team                                 Volunteer Resources Team

So, if you are a member of the Traffic Team, and serving from 6/15-6/22, then you are also a part of the Khilafat Team.

Okay, I understand who is a part of the Khilafat Team.. but what if I am arriving on 6/17 and have already been assigned to the Daftar Team. Since I'm volunteering before the Jalsa, am I considered part of the Khilafat Team too?What does not constitute Khilafat team?
All of our brothers who are volunteering in one of the sub-category teams, but are not available for the full week of 6/15-6/22 from the time Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih (aba) arrives in the US, they are not considered as part of the Khilafat Team.

Why not include anyone arriving before the Jalsa too?
It is with regret that at this time, we have a very limited ability to provide for lodging and transportation services during those days leading up to Jalsa Salana; only a finite number of brothers can be accomodated. For brothers who have made the 1-week commitment to be with us, we too are making a commitment to provide accommodations for their 1-week stay.

So, if I arrive on 6/17 but take care of my own lodging and transportation needs...then can I be a part of the Khilafat Team?
Yes, absolutly. Understand that the purpose here is not to exclude anyone who wants to be a part of this experience.  

I remember hearing about the A-Team. What happened to that?
The A-Team you are thinking of was renamed Khilafat Team. The name 'Khilafat Team' better reflects the overall spirit of this group of brothers, who are taking time off from their lives, just to serve Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya, and be in the company of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V(aba) for a week.
 
When should I come and plan to depart?
You should plan to arrive in the area between 3PM and 11PM on Sunday, June 15th. Book your return flight on Sunday June 22nd after 7 pm if possible.
 
Is there a deadline by which I should book my air tickets?
You should book your tickets and finalize your travel plans by the 22nd of May 2008.
 
What airport should I use?
Please book your air tickets to BWI airport only as transportation will not be provided form other airports.
 
Can I rent my own car or rent my own hotel?
Yes you can reserve your own hotel and rent your own car. You should book a hotel for the night of sunday to wednesday near Bait ur Rehman and then thursday to saturday nights should be reserved close to EXPO center.
 
What department will I be working on?
Khilafat team members will be working on security, traffic, transportation ,Office, Rapid Response, or HK teams. Final allocation of volunteers have been posted here: Khilafat Team Assignments

Where do I go when I arrive at Masjid Baitur Rahman? 
Please check-in after 4PM on Sunday, 6/15 with Nazim Daftar in the Khidmat-e-Khalq Command Center Tent. This tent/marquis will be located in the behind the black MTA Dish located northeast of Baitur Rahman. The tent is signed as with "DAFTAR KHIDMAT-E-KHALQ." You will then be given your Volunteer Identification Badge, accomodation information, and further instructions.

What other procedures are there? Is there an orientation?
A formal orientation session will take place on Monday, 6/16 at 10AM. Please report to the Dafthar Khidmat e Khalq lawn on time.

Will my department allocation change when I get to EXPO center for Jalsa days?
In principle, we will try to keep you on the same type of duty between non-Jalsa days at Bait ur Rehman and Jalsa days at EXPO center. However, under special circumstances a change can be made.

What should I do if I am approached by other departments for Jalsa duty?
Members of khilafat team will be assigned duties for seven days in the departments mentioned above. We encourage you to join any team that you feel can best benefit from your skills (Jalsa Gah, MTA, VIP, PR etc) but in that case, do let us know as you will no longer be a part of khilafat team. Being on the Khilafat Team makes you an integral part of Security, Traffic, Transportation ,Office, Rapid Response, or HK duties as mentioned above.

What if cannot dedicate 7 (seven) days but would still like to join the above khidmat e khalq departments for duties during Jalsa?
You are more than welcome to submit your names and inshallah we will accomodate such requests on a first come first serve basis.
 
Is there a uniform for Khilafat Team?
MKA black/white striped scarf is a must. Khilafat Team members will be given a cap as a gift from Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya USA. A white shirt and khakis (any color) are preferred but not a hard requirement.
 
Do I need to bring a sleeping bag?
Yes, sleeping bags are needed.
 
Is there an age limit?
It is desirable that all volunteers be of 15 years or older age. Volunteers younger than 15 years can be a part of Khilafat team as long as they have a supervising adult from the local Majlis.
 
Is there a deadline for people to join khilafat team?
At this stage, there is no deadline and more names can be added. In the near future, we may close enrollment in Khilafat team.
 
Some people are staying uptil June 24th . Can I also prolong my visit and leave on the 24th instead of 22nd?
Yes, you can stay uptil 24th of June.
 
Can I bring my family with me for those seven days?
Everyone should do their best to spend as much time in Hadhur’s company as possible.  Therefore families are welcome but they will have to arrange their own accomodation through the Jalsa Salana hospitality team. Please make sure that families are completely independent so volunteers can focus on their duty.

Will there be some program for Lajna during the non-Jalsa days at Bait-ur-Rehman?
Lajna will Insha Allah have some programs with Hadhrat Apa Jaan. Lajna members coming with khilafat team volunteers could be involved in those programs and also lend a a helping hand. More details will be coming soon.
 
Who is the point person or where should I send my travel plans?
Travel plans should be sent to Mohtamim Muqami, Syed Saadat Ahmad sb at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . as the prime contact. Please copy your message to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it and This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .