Civic and Faith Leaders Call for Peace, Unity and Service at Muslim Convention in Southern California
38th West Coast Jalsa Salana highlights interfaith dialogue and humanitarian service amid global conflict
Chino, CA — Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA successfully concluded its 38th West Coast Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) at the Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino, California. The 3-day gathering brought together over 2,000 attendees from across the country for prayer, reflection, and dialogue centered on the Community’s guiding motto, “Love for All, Hatred for None.”
As part of the convention’s commitment to service, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community held their third annual “Jalsa Cares” community service initiative on Friday, partnering with God’s Pantry in Pomona. Volunteers from the Community worked alongside Christian partners to pack 1,000 meals, which were distributed to families in need across Los Angeles County the following day.
The highlight of the weekend was the Saturday evening interfaith guest session, where elected officials, civic leaders, faith advocates, and scholars addressed the gathering on the need for unity, compassion, and moral leadership in a divided world. The keynote address was delivered by Abdul Latif Balanta, a member of the national board of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA from Baltimore, titled “The Holy Quran’s Teachings on Global Peace and Unity.” Reflecting on his journey as a convert to Islam and drawing from the divinely-inspired guidance of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah and founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Balanta described the Holy Quran as “a living, breathing book” that challenges believers to reflect, reason, and act with moral integrity. He explained that peace in Islam is holistic, stating, “Islam at its core is about building peace — peace with ourselves, peace with our neighbors, peace with our God.” Addressing human diversity and coexistence, Balanta emphasized that the Holy Quran views differences as purposeful, quoting, “We have made you tribes and subtribes that you may recognize one another,” and added, “In Islam, diversity is meant to be a basis for mutual recognition and cooperation, not for arrogance or for conflict.”
California State Senator Susan Rubio (District 22) reflected on her experience at the convention and the keynote address, stating, “I don’t think I’ve ever heard something so beautiful in a way that I could understand it. The message tonight was very clear to me… that differences of opinion are a blessing to society. That is beautiful.” She also praised the Community’s service to the broader public, saying, “We all share a moral responsibility to work together to reduce human suffering. Together I think that we could continue to take care of others that need us the most.”
Bill Velto, Mayor of Upland, underscored the relevance of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s official motto in today’s world: “This year’s theme, ‘Love for All, Hatred for None,’ is not just a phrase. It’s a call to action. It’s a guiding light.” He added: “In today’s world, divisions are everywhere… but love heals. Love bridges gaps. Love changes hearts.”
Olegario “Ollie” D. Cantos VII, Mayor Pro Tem of West Covina, commended the Community’s long-standing role in building interfaith understanding: “Your Jalsa Salana, with 38 years of history and for all that you have done through the years to build dialogue all across this country, has made a difference in showing the world how we… may indeed plant new seeds of peace and hope and understanding and love.”
Joumana Silyan-Saba, Director of Civic Participation and Human Rights for the City of Los Angeles, emphasized the active nature of peacemaking: “Peace is not passive. It is not conformity or submission to injustice. Rather, it is an active and constant force that drives those who believe in the righteous and moral values of love, justice, and human dignity.” She also lauded the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s example and leadership of its global spiritual leader, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, saying, “The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a powerful living example of these values.”
Reflecting on the Jalsa Cares service project, Augusto “Goose” Dolce, Executive Director of God’s Pantry, shared: “It was wonderful seeing Christians and Muslims working together… families that woke up this morning not knowing where the next meal was going to come from were blessed by the work of our hands together.” He added: “When we share the work, that builds partnerships. And when we share a meal, we’re building friendships.”
Academic scholar Professor Heather Ferguson, Associate Professor of Ottoman and Middle East History and Director of the Mgrublian Center for Human Rights at Claremont McKenna College, highlighted the deeper meaning of unity: “Unity is thus a practice — a way of being in the world — and it requires patience.”
During the session, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was presented with official recognitions from the California State Senate and the City of Los Angeles, acknowledging its vast contributions to peacebuilding, interfaith cooperation, and service to humanity. The session concluded with prayers for peace and a renewed call to embody the principle of ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’ through daily acts of service, dialogue, and compassion.
More Information:
http://convention.ahmadiyya.us/
About the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans 213 countries with tens of millions of members. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is the oldest American-Muslim organization.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long- awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.
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