Hadeeqatul Mahdi, 28 July: Earlier this evening, Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V^aainspected the various sites of Jalsa Salana UK and later officially inaugurated the Jalsa duties.

 

At around 4:40pm, Hazrat Amirul Momineen^aaleft his residence in Islamabad and proceeded towards various departments that are offering duties during these Jalsa days in Islamabad.

Huzoor^aa visited the reserve marquee where special guests are offered food throughout the day.

Thereafter, Huzoor^aa walked past the general car park in Islamabad and inspected the ladies’ and men’s food marquee. This department has been offering duties for over a week now, and will continue to do so for the rest of the week, and some for even another week.

After visiting these departments, Huzoor^aa left with his entourage for Jamia Ahmadiyya UK in Haslemere, approximately a 20-minute drive away. Jamia UK is currently housing many of the guests that have travelled for the convention from around the world.

Huzoor^aa arrived at Jamia at around 5:15pm and was welcomed by many Arabic-speaking guests who sang choral poems in Arabic. Huzoor^aa was then welcomed by volunteers, women and men, who have travelled from far and wide to serve the guests staying at Jamia.

Hafiz Ijaz Ahmad Tahir Sahib, Nazim Reserve 1 then informed Huzoor^aa about the total number of volunteers and showed Huzoor^aa the sleeping arrangements and showering facilities for guests, which Huzoor^aa carefully observed. Thereafter, Huzoor^aa proceeded towards the dining area where organisers had on display some of the food that is served there.

After heading to the ladies’ food area, where ladies sang poems in Arabic, Huzoor^aadeparted from Jamia and headed towards Hadeeqatul Mahdi where the main Jalsa arrangements are.

Upon arrival in Hadeeqatul Mahdi, Huzoor^aafirst went inside his residence, after which he came out to inspect many departments situated at the main Jalsa site.

Huzoor^aa first visited the barn area, where the Langar Khana, roti plant and Jalsa stores are located. At the Langar, Huzoor^aa was shown various dishes like aloo gosht and tested the quality of the food, offering guidance and advice to the cooks.

Rafi Shah Sahib, Nazim Langar 1, told Al Hakam, “Huzoor^aa had instructed the Langar Khana this year to grind their own masala[spices and herbs]. Huzoor^aa instructed us not to use garam masala, which consists of spices and herbs like cinnamon, cloves and black cardamom. So this year, these were not used and we put together our own spices and avoided garam masala.”

At the roti plant, Huzoor^aa was shown a new piece of equipment by Agha Abdul Karim Abid Sahib, Nazim Roti Plant in Hadeeqatul Mahdi; this new machinery has been designed to cut the dough into 9-kilogram pieces, assisting the many volunteers at the roti plant, who previously would have to do this all by hand. This was designed and built by an Ahmadi pilot, Fathey Ahmad Sahib. Alongside this, Huzoor^aa inspected the roti plant and tested the quality of the rotis being cooked.

Huzoor^aa then made his way to the accommodation store, where he checked the quality of the mattress through a demonstration by Hassan Sahib of the accommodation department.

Before proceeding to enquire about the car park arrangements from Maqbool Ahmad Sahib, Naib Afsar Jalsa Salana, Huzoor^aa was greeted by a line of volunteers working in the electrics department. Whilst observing the main car park, Huzoor^aa enquired about how many tracks would be used and where they would be placed.

Huzoor^aa visited the tents area and observed how the facility had been set up. As the Lajna side of the Jalsa Gah is adjacent to this part, Huzoor^aa visited the Lajna registration, security and scanning marquee at the main Lajna entrance.

The next stop on Huzoor’s^aa route was the Khidmat-e-Khalq operation and site-security command centre, after which was the crucially important first aid facility. Huzoor^aa walked into the marquee and enquired about the arrangements, giving important instructions about how the facility should be ready to respond to any given situation. In the Homeopathy Dispensary, Huzoor^aa issued instructions to Dr Hafeez Bhatti Sahib.

It plays a very important role by turning the farmland of Hadeeqatul Mahdi into a modern facility with best of the range communication services and connectivity arrangements – two facilities that have become a basic necessity of modern life. Maqbool Ahmad Sahib, Naib Afsar responsible for this section, briefed Huzoor^aaabout this year’s arrangements.

From there, Huzoor^aa went into the Jalsa Gah and addressed the Jalsa duty holders. This dignified event started with the recitation of the first five verses of Surah al-Mulk by Mahmood Vardi Sahib, followed by the translation in English by Nisar Orchard Sahib.

We all know how Huzoor^aa is keen about hospitality of his guests at Jalsa Salana. This keenness is evident from every instruction that Huzoor^aa gives to the administration during the inspection. However, the dining area is where Huzoor^aa ensures that every one will have food that is clean, healthy and sufficient. Having examined the dining facilities, Huzoor^aawalked towards the main Jalsa Gah. The Review of Religions team stood in a line on the side of Huzoor’s^aa walkway and greeted Huzoor. On his way, Huzoor^aa stopped in front of the Ahmadiyya Archive and Research Centre exhibition and the Al Hakam Hub. Huzoor^aaenquired about the glass wall whether it always used to be transparent or whether it was a new addition this time.

Huzoor^aa told the volunteers to pray that Allah blesses our efforts in arrangements for Jalsa. Huzoor^aa also advised the volunteers to protect their prayers and even if Salat is inevitably missed in congregation, one should ensure they offer their prayers at another time. Huzoor said to always keep in mind that human effort, without the blessings of Allah, cannot be successful.

After the inspection, Huzoor^aa enquired from the management about the backdrop measurements and other details to do with the stage.

Huzoor^aa then made his way to the Lajna Jalsa Gah where all Jalsa volunteers on the ladies’ side had convened.

After visiting the ladies’ side, Huzoor^aainspected the MTA transmission truck and broadcast unit, giving detailed guidance for the many upcoming MTA broadcasts during Jalsa. Before proceeding to the main MTA offline compound, Huzoor^aa noticed MTA International Lajna team standing to one side and Huzoor^aamet them all and enquired about their roles during Jalsa.

In the main MTA compound – where MTA 3, MTA Africa, French stream, MTA Programming, IT, Production, MTA office, stores and various other departments are situated – Huzoor^aainspected the site and took a glance at all the volunteers who had gathered at MTA.

After walking past the translation marquee, where many volunteers will simultaneously translate the Jalsa proceedings in the three-day event, Huzoor^aa proceeded towards the rear end of the men’s Jalsa Gah where Huzoor^aagraced a dinner with all Jalsa volunteers and workers.

Source: Al-Hakam