Qadian, 'Jalsa Salana', and the Resilient Legacy of the Ahmadiyya Movement
Amid persecution, the community’s steadfast commitment to “Love for All, Hatred for None” continues to inspire, making India a vital sanctuary a living symbol of the movement’s transformative legacy.
Qadian and the Resilient Ahmadiyya Movement
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s story is one of spiritual renewal, steadfast devotion, and resilient outreach. Rooted in the historic town of Qadian, in the modern-day Gurdaspur district of the Indian Punjab—the birthplace of the movement founded by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in 1889—the annual Jalsa Salana has evolved from a modest gathering into a global event. The 2024 concluding address by His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad at Jalsa Salana Qadian encapsulated this dual legacy: a reaffirmation of doctrinal principles and a call to meet contemporary challenges with moral and spiritual vigour.
Foundations in Qadian and the Birth of a Movement
Qadian holds a seminal place in the Ahmadiyya narrative. It is here that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad declared his prophetic mission, setting the stage for a movement grounded in the pursuit of truth, piety, and universal brotherhood. From its inception in 1889, the community has used Qadian not only as a geographical home but also as the spiritual crucible where ideas of reform, interfaith dialogue, and personal transformation were first nurtured.
The Jalsa Salana tradition, inaugurated in 1891, was conceived as a gathering to cultivate religious benefit, mutual love, and moral reformation. Over time, this annual convention has become a cornerstone of the Ahmadiyya identity—anchoring the community’s collective memory and serving as a platform for both spiritual renewal and strategic outreach worldwide[1][2].
The Annual Jalsa Salana: A Global Spiritual Rejuvenation
What began as a small congregation of devoted followers in Qadian has blossomed into a transnational festival of faith. Today, tens of thousands of attendees from more than 40 countries converge—both physically and virtually—to experience the Jalsa Salana’s unique blend of prayer, scholarly discourse, and heartfelt poetry. The event’s thematic focus has always been to reinforce the community’s core values of “Love for All, Hatred for None,” while also addressing modern issues from interfaith harmony to global humanitarian challenges.
This global outreach is evident in the event’s expansion beyond Qadian to satellite gatherings in countries such as the United Kingdom, Taiwan, and several nations across Africa. In each venue, the Jalsa serves as a microcosm of the community’s mission: to foster unity, nurture intellectual debate, and reaffirm the timeless messages of Islam as understood by the Ahmadiyya vision[3][4].
The 2024 Concluding Address: Affirmation of Faith and Mission
At the heart of the 2024 Jalsa Salana in Qadian was the eagerly anticipated concluding address by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, delivered remotely from the Masroor Hall in the United Kingdom. His speech skillfully integrated historical insights with contemporary imperatives, reaffirming key theological principles that have long defined the Ahmadiyya identity.
Core Themes Explored
Unwavering Love for the Holy Prophet
A central pillar of the address was the Promised Messiah’s profound devotion to Prophet Muhammad (sa). By citing extensive writings and poignant poetic expressions, His Holiness dispelled misconceptions regarding his reverence for the Prophet. Anecdotes—such as the solitary, tearful recitation of Hassan bin Thabit’s poetry in Masjid Mubarak—underscored that any claim of prophethood was entirely subservient to the exalted station of Muhammad (sa)[1].Clarifying the Doctrine of Khatm-e-Nubuwwat
Addressing longstanding controversies, the Caliph elaborated that any station of prophethood he might claim remains a mere reflection—a “shadow”—of the Holy Prophet’s (sa) prophethood. This perspective upholds the finality of revelation through the Quran while affirming that all divine guidance, past and present, finds its foundation in the legacy of Muhammad (sa)[1][2].Divine Endorsement Amid Adversity
His Holiness also highlighted the community’s resilience in the face of external pressures. Despite systematic persecution—most notably in Pakistan, where Ahmadis have faced legal and social restrictions—the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues to thrive. The address attributed this endurance to Allah’s grace and the unwavering spiritual strength of the Quran, thus reinforcing the belief that divine support is manifest in both growth and survival[1][2].
Resilience and Refuge: Persecution and the Indian Haven
While the Ahmadiyya Community has expanded its global footprint, it has not been immune to persecution. In Pakistan and elsewhere, legal decrees and societal hostility have systematically marginalized Ahmadis, branding them as heretical. Despite these challenges, the community has persisted with quiet dignity and steadfast advocacy for peace and pluralism.
In contrast, India, especially Punjab, stands out as a sanctuary—a haven where not only Ahmadis but also other religious and linguistic minorities find refuge. The enduring tradition of the Jalsa Salana in Qadian, amidst India’s rich tapestry of cultures and interfaith dialogue, exemplifies a commitment to inclusivity and religious tolerance. Here, the ideals of spiritual reformation and universal brotherhood are nurtured, providing a counter-narrative to exclusion and persecution[4][6].
Looking Forward: A Dual Legacy of Spiritual Renewal and Global Activism
The 2024 concluding address and the sustained tradition of Jalsa Salana together chart a clear vision for the future. They affirm that the Ahmadiyya movement’s dual mission—rooted in the historic legacy of Qadian and energized by modern outreach—is vital for navigating the complexities of the 21st century. As the community continues to expand its humanitarian projects and engage in global dialogue, its guiding message remains as potent as ever: to live by the principles of compassion, unity, and unwavering devotion to divine truth.
This balanced approach—honouring a storied past while embracing contemporary challenges—ensures that the Ahmadiyya legacy remains a beacon of hope and resilience, inspiring both spiritual growth and active engagement in the broader struggle for global harmony.
Summing Up
From the historic streets of Qadian to the digital avenues of modern global outreach, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s journey is a testament to enduring faith in the face of adversity. The 2024 Jalsa Salana, punctuated by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad’s impassioned concluding address, reaffirmed foundational beliefs while addressing contemporary realities. Amid persecution and division, the community’s steadfast commitment to “Love for All, Hatred for None” continues to inspire, making India a vital sanctuary and Qadian a living symbol of the movement’s transformative legacy.
Welcoming the Holy Month of Ramadan
As the holy month of Ramadan begins with the sighting of the new moon on March 1, the movement joins the mainstream Islamic world in fasting, prayers, and the recitation of the Holy Quran—fulfilling a sacred obligation established by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and enshrined in the Quran (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:183-185). Mandated as one of the Five Pillars of Islam, fasting during Ramadan is not only an act of personal discipline but also a means of attaining piety and strengthening communal solidarity. This shared devotion underscores the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s unbroken spiritual connection with the wider Muslim ummah, reinforcing a legacy of faith, resilience, and unity.
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God is One but we address Him with different Names. ‘Ekam Sat Viprah bahuda vadanti’. Ishwar, Allah, Ram Govind are names created by the people depending upon their own culture and how they relate to the truth. That the earth was at the centre of the universe was a accepted truth for almost two millenniums (the scientists had advanced alternative theories in ancient world also: Aristarchus of Samos, an ancient Greek astronomer, was one of the first to propose that the Earth orbited the Sun but was suppressed by the then prevalent and perceived truth) thanks to the icon Aristotle. Before the modern world accepted the changed truth, Bruno and Galileo Galilei had to be sacrificed among others. When we make a great man as the only icon of the perceived (or revealed to explain a phenomenon) truth of a particular time , the hidden truth (which is eternal but not revealed) remains hidden for centuries. Revealed truth is only an a tip of the iceberg. So much remains unexplored. Not seen, not embodied or manifested neither created nor destroyed, self created and perpetual.
In the face of varying theories about the world of truth, love, not hatred; harmony, not conflict, dialogue not argument will lead the way to seek truth. The road to truth is long and difficult. We cannot claim that we have arrived at the destination. The journey is to be enjoyed with trust, harmony and love.