“Never Restrict Your Circle of Kindness”

More than 60 volunteers from Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA fanned out across Richmond, Virginia, on Thursday, July 3, for a day of service known as Jalsa Cares. Held ahead of the group’s 75th annual Jalsa Salana USA convention over the Fourth of July weekend, the effort brought members young and old together to clean parks, restore a historic cemetery, distribute 250 meals to those in need, and hold a session on fire safety awareness. Volunteers traveled in from as many as 10 states to take part.

Jalsa Cares is the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s way of giving back to the cities that so generously host its annual convention — a public act of gratitude and service rooted in Islamic teachings. As volunteer Harris Zafar put it, “Service to humanity is worship.” 

At East End Cemetery — a historic burial ground for Black Richmonders dating back to 1897 — volunteers joined the Friends of East End to uncover more than 20 overgrown headstones.

“This whole area was basically a thick forest,” said Amjad Mahmood Khan, national secretary of public affairs. “As Muslims who love and live in the United States, we want to give back to our community and show our gratitude by serving the most underserved areas.” 

“It makes it unique because it’s people who have been forgotten,” said Kaleem Wali, president of the St. Louis chapter, who helped lead the cemetery cleanup. “Being that we are Ahmadis, we have ‘Love for all, hatred for none.’ And so for Ahmadis to come out and take care of a cemetery that has been neglected — it means a lot.” 

The Red Cross, a longtime community partner, welcomed the group’s return. “We appreciate your dedication and your willingness to give to the community,” said Christy Carneal of the Red Cross Virginia region at the Jalsa Cares kickoff event near the James River. She presented a Community Partner Award to the local Muslim youth chapter in recognition of their commitment to service.

City officials and civic leaders also praised the initiative. “We come together across all different divides to serve one another,” said Lawson Wijesooriya, chief of staff to Richmond Mayor Danny Avula. “That is one of the best ways to heal.” 

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, taught: “Never, ever restrict your circle of kindness.” From cemetery restoration to neighborhood cleanups, Jalsa Cares 2025 embodied that call — showing Richmond what Islam looks like in action: grateful, generous and grounded in service.