The Majlis Khuddam-ul and Atfalul Ahmadiyya (Children and Youth Wing) recently concluded its 23rd annual National Ijtema at Tahir Ahmadiyya Muslim Senior Secondary School, Mansakonko, LRR.

The three-day Convention, which took the form of speeches, lecturer, as well as academic and sports competitions brought together about five-hundred youth delegates from Guinea Bissau and The Gambia.

Addressing the gathering, Momodou Soma Jobe, Governor of Lower River Region, described the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at as a true religious organisation that strives to unite people under one umbrella; establish the love of Allah and unity, through promulgation of Islam.

According to him, it is a fundamental teaching of Islam, and then hailed the contributions of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at in the area of health and education.

Maulana Baba F.Trawally, Amir of the Ahmadiyya Jama’at, The Gambia, in his closing address, said “no progress or success is ever attained in the world, both morally and spiritually without the dedication and commitment of the people”. He noted that religion is basically two folds: faith or belief, which is conceptual and shown in the hearts, deeds and actions of its adherents.

He then raised concern on the negligence of the people, for not dedicating and committing themselves to the path of truth.

He, therefore, admonished the Ahmadiyya youth, in particular, to dedicate and commit themselves to the injunctions of the Holy Qur’an and the teachings and practices of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustapha, in order to salvage the sinking world.

Deliberating on the topic “The two phases of Khalafat Rasida” (the rightly-guided caliphate), the missionary in-Charge, Ustaz Syeed-ul-Hassan Shah said that Allah, the exalted has promised the believers that they will be blessed with Khalafat on the same lines as those before them.

He explained that divine light manifests itself in the world, in the form of Prophets, noting that after their demise, this guiding light gets a new shine, through the Khalifas.

Ustaz Shad further indicated that the blessings of Prophet-hood were extended through the Caliphate of Hadhrat Abubakar, Hadhrat Umar, Hadhrat Usman and Hadhrat Ali (May Allah be please with them). “But when the moral condition of the Muslims deteriorates and they become oblivious of the importance of Khilafat, this blessing is taken away from them, depriving them of prophetic light”, he added.

According to him, such was the case after the demise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Mustapha and the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.

On his part, the Area Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Upper River Region (URR) Ustaz Musa Bah, delivered a lecture on the topic: “The farewell address of the Holy Prophet, a Charter for World Peace.

Ustaz Bah then narrated that the Holy Prophet of Islam, Hadhrat Muhammad Mustapha, who has been described in the Holy Qur’an as a mercy for all mankind, brought a Code of Conduct elimating all forms of wars, by removing inequalities and injustices of all forms- be it economic, political or gender.

“In his farewell address, the Holy Prophet has given directions concerning six fundamental issues: the sanctity of life; the right to possession, belonging, and inheritance; the equality of men; and rights of women, as well as the rights of prisoners of war”, he added.

He stressed that these fundamental aspects are the very areas where mankind is finding great difficulties, thus threatening World Peace.

Brother Karamo Touray, Sadr (President) Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, The Gambia, in his speech, admonished the youth to live a sacrificial live in this world.

According to him, the promised Messiah (as) is reported to have said that sacrifice that’s made at difficult moments is worthy of acceptance in the sight of Allah, than the one made at the time of ease and comfort.

At the end of the session, prizes were awarded to winners of various competitions.