Hadeeqatul Mahdi, 28 July: Earlier this evening, Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaainspected the various sites of Jalsa Salana UK and later officially inaugurated the Jalsa duties.
At around 4:40pm, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaaleft his residence in Islamabad and proceeded towards various departments that are offering duties during these Jalsa days in Islamabad.
Huzooraa visited the reserve marquee where special guests are offered food throughout the day.
Thereafter, Huzooraa 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, Huzooraa 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.
Huzooraa arrived at Jamia at around 5:15pm and was welcomed by many Arabic-speaking guests who sang choral poems in Arabic. Huzooraa was then welcomed by volunteers, women and men, who have travelled from far and wide to serve the guests staying at Jamia.
After heading to the ladies’ food area, where ladies sang poems in Arabic, Huzooraadeparted from Jamia and headed towards Hadeeqatul Mahdi where the main Jalsa arrangements are.
Upon arrival in Hadeeqatul Mahdi, Huzooraafirst went inside his residence, after which he came out to inspect many departments situated at the main Jalsa site.
Huzooraa first visited the barn area, where the Langar Khana, roti plant and Jalsa stores are located. At the Langar, Huzooraa 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, “Huzooraa had instructed the Langar Khana this year to grind their own masala[spices and herbs]. Huzooraa 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, Huzooraa 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, Huzooraa inspected the roti plant and tested the quality of the rotis being cooked.
Huzooraa 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.
Huzooraa 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, Huzooraa visited the Lajna registration, security and scanning marquee at the main Lajna entrance.
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 Huzooraaabout this year’s arrangements.
From there, Huzooraa 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 Huzooraa is keen about hospitality of his guests at Jalsa Salana. This keenness is evident from every instruction that Huzooraa gives to the administration during the inspection. However, the dining area is where Huzooraa ensures that every one will have food that is clean, healthy and sufficient. Having examined the dining facilities, Huzooraawalked towards the main Jalsa Gah. The Review of Religions team stood in a line on the side of Huzoor’saa walkway and greeted Huzoor. On his way, Huzooraa stopped in front of the Ahmadiyya Archive and Research Centre exhibition and the Al Hakam Hub. Huzooraaenquired about the glass wall whether it always used to be transparent or whether it was a new addition this time.
Huzooraa told the volunteers to pray that Allah blesses our efforts in arrangements for Jalsa. Huzooraa 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, Huzooraa enquired from the management about the backdrop measurements and other details to do with the stage.
Huzooraa then made his way to the Lajna Jalsa Gah where all Jalsa volunteers on the ladies’ side had convened.
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 – Huzooraainspected 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, Huzooraa proceeded towards the rear end of the men’s Jalsa Gah where Huzooraagraced a dinner with all Jalsa volunteers and workers.
Source: Al-Hakam
