60th Jalsa Salana USA 2008
60th Jalsa Salana, USA Inshallah, the Jalsa will be held on June 20-22, 2008 at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center, 2300 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg PA 17110-9443.
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| 2007 October - Jameel Matin |
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 Shining Star of the Month- October 2007Jameel Matin, Pfc, Southern Virginia Majlis This month’s “Shining Star” features Pfc Jameel Matin of Southern Virginia Majlis. Jameel’s strong commitment to Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya at such a young age is well-known among his peers. Born on October 15, 1987, Jameel grew up very close to Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino, California. As a Tifl, he took an active part in Atfal classes and other Majlis activities. When he turned fifteen, he began to take a strong interest in Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya. His maturity and motivation led him to be appointed as the local Motamid of Los Angeles East Majlis in 2002 – one of the youngest Khuddam ever to serve in that capacity. He immediately earned the respect of his peers by creating and implementing a highly effective system of communications and record-keeping. Owing to his remarkable contributions as a local Motamid, Jameel was appointed as the first-ever Regional Motamid of the West (South) Region in 2006. In this capacity, he successfully managed the affairs of six Majalis spread across some 300 miles. For Jameel, Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya is not just another volunteer job. When asked what Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya means to him, Jameel quickly responds: “What it means to me? It’s everything. It’s my daily motivation. It’s my way of life.” Jameel has made true to his convictions. Last year, Jameel enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. His reason for doing so: “Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya mandates service to my country. Defending America as a United States Marine visibly embodies this pledge of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya.” He adds: "The United States Marine Corps is the one military organization that adheres to the loftiest esprit de corps. Like Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, it inculcates camaraderie and brotherhood." Jameel has certainly been among the few and proud. In the summer of 2007, Jameel endured a 13-week boot camp in San Diego – one of the country’s most challenging training programs. Thereafter, he reported to the School of Infantry (SOI) in Camp Pendleton where he spent 52 days learning to be an infantryman under the Infantry Training Battalion. He describes the training in these terms: “SOI puts into practice the values every Marine learns during boot camp: honor, courage and commitment. I was trained to be physically, mentally and morally fit for the challenges of twenty-first century warfare.” Jameel was among the 10% who were able to graduate from the school. He also prides in having lost 100 pounds in body weight over the course of a single year- a huge accomplishment for any man of grown age. Jameel’s training did not stop with SOI. He spent an additional two months in Security Force School where he honed his skills in combat marksmanship. Thereafter, he spent another five weeks training with the Fleet Anti-Terrorism Security Team (FAST) where he learned how to conduct defensive combat and special security operations. Describing this special training, Jameel reflects: “Among other things, we learned how to ensure that nuclear material on submarines is not compromised when vessels are docked.’” Today Jameel resides at the Naval Weapons station in Yorktown, Virginia as a member of the United States Marine Corps Security Forces, 2nd FAST Company. In March of 2008, he will be deployed to Cuba. Thereafter, he will have deployments in Japan and Spain, and later, Israel and Greece. Jameel says that he is proud to be an Ahmadi Muslim Marine. “The United States Marine Corps is very accommodating of Muslims. They have dedicated prayer centers for us. Here, I feel at peace with my faith.” Jameel continues to be a dedicated member of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya. He sometimes takes the train three hours to attend Majlis activities at Baitur Rahman Mosque in Silver Spring, Maryland. “I am honored to be serving my country as a Khadim,” says Jameel. “I whole-heartedly encourage others to do the same.” (Profile compiled by Amjad Mahmood Khan, Los Angeles West Majlis) |
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