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AlexJalsaUK2009
Jasla Salana UK 2009
By Alex Navarro, Chicago
Assalamu Alakum my name is, Alex Navarro, I am from the Northwest suburbs of Chicago IL and am currently a part of the Chicago West Jam’at. I converted to Islam on April 29, 2001. Since I converted I have gone to a few Jalsas around the USA and even Canada. 
I always had a great time strengthening my brotherhood with other Ahmadi brothers and growing spiritually at those Jalsas but I was continually told by those that had gone to the UK Jalsa that these Jalsas did not compare to it.
Through MKA I was finally able to go and experience it for myself. I was the only one selected to go in my region and being an unusually shy individual around new people I was extremely fearful that I would not enjoy myself. All my fears disappeared as soon as I entered the UK. From the moment I landed I felt at home and welcome. I was stunned at their cheerful greeting and exceptional treatment even though I was just one of over thirty thousand Ahamdi’s that they had to account for. This special treatment was just the beginning though.
The first day I landed I was given a tour of London and taken to the original site of the UK Jalsa. It is a vast field that was purchased for the Jalsa but alhumdu’illah the property quickly was unable to contain the event. There I was also able to see the house where Khalifa Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (atba) stays and the burial place of Khalifa Mirza Tahir Ahmad (rh). This was the first moment in the trip when I began to get emotional. I converted during the time of the 4th Khalifa and many of his books helped me except Islam.
On the first day of Jalsa I was astonished, not by the quantity of people but by the diversity. I met Ahmadis from nearly every continent and from more countries then I new existed. This Jalsa was also unique since its outdoors, unlike most USA Jalsas that are held completely indoors. Unfortunately, the weather called for rain the entire weekend. On the first day Hazoor prayed for “the weather to be in our favor” and for the rest of the time it was. Miraculously when we needed to go outside of the tents to eat or walk around the market tasting Pakistani cuisine the rain would immediately stop. At one point I looked up and there were clouds all around us but none directly above the Jalsa site.
During most of the Jalsa I fell into a bit of a routine. I would meet someone new, pray, eat, listen to a great speech and start all over agian. Then the most surreal part of the trip occurred, the international Bai’at. You could feel the spiritual energy following through us as we all united and repeated the Kalimah with the new Ahmadis from around the world. It was an event that you can only witness to fully understand it, as was most of the trip. During the Jalsa’s last few hours I began to feel disappointed. It was the first Jalsa that I never wanted to end. The UK Jalsa showed me a glimpse of how the world could be, with everyone from around the world peacefully talking, eating and standing side by side praying together. All good things must come to an end though but I will cherish my many new friendships, my second malikat with Hazoor and the entire experience form this magnificent trip.
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