By Abdulquadri Olanrewaju
In a landmark move to ensure justice is accessible to all, the Ahmadi Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (AMLAN) held its maiden Legal Clinic at the 71st Jalsa Salana Nigeria in Ilaro, Ogun State, offering free professional counsel to thousands of attendees.
Speaking on the initiative, the Pioneer Coordinator of the association, Dr. MohammedBashir Badr, described the program as a “professional gift” designed to complement the spiritual blessings of the convention. He emphasized that the primary aim was to demystify legal processes and ensure that quality legal advice is not the exclusive preserve of the wealthy.
Dr. Badr charged the attendees to be vigilant about their legal standing, reminding them of the legal maxim, ubi jus ibi remedium—”where there is a wrong, there is a remedy.”
“People should not sleep on their rights,” he urged. The clinic provided a unique opportunity for participants to review their ongoing cases, helping them understand if their current legal representation is effective or if they need to seek alternative counsel.
“Just as Jalsa is a spiritual gift for the people, this legal clinic is a professional gift for the attendees, irrespective of any differences,” Dr. Badr stated.
Giving background on the association, Dr. Badr noted that AMLAN boasts the largest membership of Ahmadi lawyers in the world with, 97 registered members. The body is currently led by its pioneer Chairman, Dr. Kofo AbdulSalam Alada.
The establishment of the Association was formally approved by the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Community, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba), in 2023, and Nigeria was among the founding nine nations, alongside Ghana, Germany, the USA, and the UK—that formed the global coalition.
Since then, the body has seen exponential growth. The worldwide body is now established in more than 25 countries, comprising no fewer than 900 Ahmadi Muslim lawyers, jurists, law students, and former members of the judiciary globally.
Dr. Badr recalled that following the inaugural international meeting, the Chairman, International Ahmadiyya Muslim Lawyers Association (IAMLA), Jonathan Butterworth, visited Nigeria during a previous Jalsa to engage directly with members of the association, further cementing the association’s global ties.
AMLAN has a strong track record of pro bono service. Dr. Badr highlighted that following a directive from His Holiness in 2023 to visit correctional facilities, the association successfully secured the release of several inmates. Furthermore, the body actively handles legal matters related to the Jama’at to ensure the community’s interests are protected.
Looking to the future, Dr. Badr revealed that the association is actively mentoring the next generation of legal minds, with no fewer than 45 law students currently under its mentorship wing.
The maiden Legal Clinic at Jalsa Salana 2025 marks a significant expansion of AMLAN’s humanitarian services, ensuring that the quest for justice remains a central pillar of the community’s social welfare initiatives.
