By Masroor Mahmud Adeeyo
At Jalsa Salana Nigeria, an event celebrated for its spiritual significance and meticulous organization, every section plays a vital role in ensuring its success. Among the busiest and most demanding areas is the car park, where thousands of vehicles arrive as attendees travel from across the country by road. Managing this critical section requires not just dedication, but experience and teamwork. The car park opens its gates on Wednesday next to Jalsa Salana, and remains operational 24/7 until Sunday, the last day of the event. This Unit is led by respected Shittu Yusuff, the Qaid Ilaqa (State President) of the Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, Ondo State. He shared his reflections on the unique service of this Unit – primarily divided into four subsections for operational efficiency:
Gate Entrance Unit: Guides drivers to the car park through designated routes.
Car Park Entrance Unit: Directs vehicles to appropriate parking spots.
Direction Unit: Manages buses, ensuring safe and efficient navigation to designated areas.
Security Unit: Safeguards vehicles and maintains order within the car park.
However, managing such a complex operation comes with unique sacrifices. Volunteers work tirelessly, often foregoing personal comfort to keep the car park running smoothly. Dust from the open grounds clings to their clothes and fills the air, making breathing difficult even with nose masks. Yet, they endure this discomfort, prioritizing service over ease. Equipment shortages, such as a limited supply of torch and whistles, add to the challenge. Even with halogen lamps providing some illumination, volunteers still have to navigate dark corners not covered by the bright illumination.
A further sacrifice is the limited food supply. Despite long hours of intense labour, the team of over 100 volunteers often finds itself undernourished. Yet, their resolve remains steadfast. For Mr. Shittu and his team, these challenges are a test of their spirit of sacrifice and devotion. “The joy of serving the Jama’at, learning traffic control, and gaining invaluable experiences outweighs every hardship,” he shared, as he reflected on the deep satisfaction that comes with selfless service.
In the car park section of Jalsa Salana Nigeria, service blends with discipline, sacrifice with fulfillment. It is here that volunteers’ unseen efforts ensure a seamless experience for all, making the wheels of Jalsa turn with precision and grace.
This version highlights the volunteers’ endurance, resourcefulness, and dedication, framing their challenges as acts of sacrifice rather than limitations of the program. Let me know if you need more adjustments!
