Thousands Gather at Muslim Convention to Promote Peace and Compassion Amid Global Tensions
Three-Day gathering highlights community service, interfaith dialogue, and practical steps toward peace The West Coast Jalsa Salana, hosted by Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, concluded successfully this past weekend at the Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino, California, drawing 2,000 participants to its 37th annual convention. As a prelude to the three-day event, the “Jalsa Cares” initiative […]
Three-Day gathering highlights community service, interfaith dialogue, and practical steps toward peace
The West Coast Jalsa Salana, hosted by Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, concluded successfully this past weekend at the Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino, California, drawing 2,000 participants to its 37th annual convention.
As a prelude to the three-day event, the “Jalsa Cares” initiative brought together volunteers from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on Thursday, December 26, to partner with God’s Pantry, a food bank run by formerly incarcerated individuals in Pomona. Volunteers packed meals for the needy, exemplifying the spirit of service and compassion that defines the Jalsa.
Over the weekend, distinguished speakers and attendees explored the theme of “Fostering Compassion and Peace in Times of Conflict.” Participants engaged in thought-provoking discussions on building unity and addressing global crises through the lens of faith and humanity.
On Friday, the convention commenced with the Friday Prayer service and sermon, followed by the flag-hoisting ceremony and opening session.
Saturday featured the interfaith guest session, where prominent civic and religious leaders addressed the gathering.
Bill Velto, Mayor of the city of Upland, was one of the guest speakers at the event and remarked, “I am so delighted that you invite people from such diverse backgrounds and faiths to share in your celebration.” Reflecting on his experience with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mayor Velto said, “I wish to especially commend your community here in the Inland Empire, which has always stood at the forefront of social services. You have fed the homeless, cleaned our streets, collected blood to save lives, convened powerful interfaith events for religious tolerance and mutual understanding.” Mayor Velto then shared a message of camaraderie, stating, “We should work together to end human suffering. That’s why I commend your Voices for Peace, campaigning to bring voices together in calling for an immediate end to indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians in the Middle East.”
Mayor of Moreno Valley, Ulises Cabrera, addressed all in attendance, saying, “I believe today’s theme – Fostering Compassion and Peace in Times of Conflict – is extremely important now more than ever.” Reflecting on the conflicts affecting the world, Mayor Cabrera said, “I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of thousands of Palestinians in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. We must do everything that is within our power to stop this war, to secure a ceasefire, and release the hostages held by Hamas. All people deserve dignity and self-determination. My prayers are with all the families of innocent victims everywhere…I know the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is leading the conversation about peace, justice, and compassion. You lead by your example, not just by words. You serve the needy and the homeless in our local communities, and I commend your Jalsa Cares initiative and welcome the chance to work with all of you in Moreno Valley and beyond.”
Augusto “Goose” Dolce, Executive Director of God’s Pantry, also spoke at the Jalsa about his experience working with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community as part of this year’s Jalsa Cares community service initiative. “This year we got the privilege to work alongside of each other to serve 250 families that are going to be fed tomorrow with the work that we did yesterday. It’s been such a great experience finding a bigger table where we can all sit at and be a part of something bigger.”
The keynote address Saturday evening, titled “Fostering Compassion and Peace in Times of Conflict,” emphasized the role of individual and collective actions in promoting harmony. Delivered by Amjad Mahmood Khan, the National Secretary of Public Affairs for Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, the address began with a solemn reminder of the direction the world is going. “As we gather here this evening, the world faces unprecedented global conflict. In Gaza, over 45,000 Palestinians, including nearly 32,000 women and children, have been killed in the past 15 months, with countless others injured or displaced, in one of the deadliest conflicts in human history. Meanwhile, in Sudan, the civil war has claimed more than 62,000 lives, driven millions from their homes, and plunged the nation into famine and disease.”
The keynote discussed Islamic teachings to extend compassion, overlook harms and resolve conflicts and how the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was successful in uniting people through his gentleness and forbearance, even in the face of disagreements or disobedience. The address concluded with a call to action: “Compassion must be demonstrated with actions, not merely words. Our collective compassionate acts can overwhelm the forces of division, hate, and persecution.”
The convention culminated in an interfaith dinner, where representatives from diverse faiths shared messages of hope, understanding, and shared humanity.
The highlight of the annual convention was an address by the worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, during the final Sunday session, broadcast to all attendees via satellite and also around the world. He expounded on the teachings of the Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, who other Islamic sects are still awaiting the advent of.
This year’s Jalsa Salana reinforced the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s long-standing commitment to the promotion of peace and service to humanity, especially during times of conflict.
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.
