Published on Feb 23 2011 by Arif Khan

 

On Sunday 23^rd January Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Gillingham Qiadat held its local Ijtema at Gillingham mosque. Like previous years the Atfal Ijtema was combined on the same day but the Atfal enjoyed their separate programme of events in a different hall.

The Ijtema began in the morning at 9am. Members were treated to breakfast before the opening session, and we were lucky enough to have Local Sadr Sheikh Naseer Sahib and Regional Qaid Sahib Waheed Akhtar with us.  Waheed Akhtar Sahib also addressed the Khuddam and gave a short speech impressing upon the importance of the Ijtema, and the importance of attending the Ijtema with the goal of taking away at least one thing you have learnt from the day. After a brief outline of the day's events by Qaid Gillingham the Atfal and Khuddam split into their own respective programmes.

The day saw a healthy participation in some academic competitions, and the judges pointed out the need for improvement in participation in others, especially the Tilawat competition.  After this we held the team quiz which was organised by Nasir Mirza Sahib.  Khuddam and Atfal were split into 3 fair teams, and there was one team consisting of our Ansar guests.  The format of the quiz this year was somewhat different to previous occasions, and I have already received a great deal of positive feedback on it.

After the quiz, we held the sports competitions.  The Khuddam table tennis was hotly contested by all Khuddam showing a good playing standard.  Everyone enjoyed the games, and had a chance to socialise with fellow Ijtema attendees.

After the break to offer Zuhr and Asr Salaat followed by Zahid Khan Sahib delivered an enlightening Talqeen-e-Amal, which emphasised how important it is for us to be regular in our prayers and in our worship of Allah.  Zahid Sahib also reminded us of our goals in life, and how material things should be secondary, after the worship of Allah.

The Khuddam and Atfal then enjoyed lunch, as did local members of the Qiadat who had been invited to attend and observe proceedings.

A Khidmat-e-Khalq exhibition had also been set up to outline the good works that had been carried out locally by the Khidmat-e-Khalq team and to emphasise the need for all Khuddam to serve their local community. The afternoon session saw the final of the table tennis which was fought between James Young and Sameem Jehanghiri, and James came out the victor.

Sultan Lone Sahib, the Mohasib for MKA UK represented Sadr Majlis and chaired the final session, as well as distributing prizes to the competition winners.  Sultan Sahib then addressed us on the importance of attending the mosque and regularity in prayers.  He congratulated the Qaid and his Amila for a successful Ijtema.

Final attendance figures are as follows: 19 Khuddam, 5 Atfal, 2 young pre-Tifl and 10 guests.