By: Abdulquadri Olanrewaju
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria (AMJN) has successfully concluded its 71st Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana), with a fervent call on world leaders and the Muslim Ummah to embrace absolute justice and divine unity as the only viable solutions to the escalating global crises.
The three-day spiritual gathering, held between Friday, 19th and Sunday, 21st December 2025, at the Jamia Ahmadiyya ground along Ilaro-Owode road, Ogun State, attracted an attendance of 35,770 delegates from Nigeria, the United Kingdom, and Equatorial Guinea, with thousands more joining virtually via Jalsa Salana Connect TV.
Centered on the theme “And Hold Fast, All Together, By The Rope of Allah And Be Not Divided,” the convention served as a platform for spiritual rejuvenation and strategic discourse on national development.
In his opening address, the Amir (National President) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji (Barr.) Alatoye Folorunso Azeez, charged the faithful to adopt an “Intellectual Jihad” rather than aggression. He emphasized that the challenges facing the modern world require a defense of Islam rooted in moral excellence and rational engagement. The Amir reiterated that the “Rope of Allah” signifies a collective reliance on the Holy Qur’an and the institution of Khilafat, urging Nigerians to turn to sincere prayer and “Tawakkul” (reliance on Allah) as the ultimate panacea to the nation’s economic and security challenges.
The intellectual tone of the convention was further set by the renowned academic, Prof. Sa’eed Olurotimi Timehin of the Lagos State University, who delivered the main lecture on Saturday. Speaking on “Unity Is Strength: Lessons from Islamic History as a Guide to Contemporary Global Challenges,” Prof. Timehin identified racial arrogance and the systemic injustice of Western powers as the root causes of global terrorism. He argued that the world’s only escape from chaos lies in embracing the Islamic concept of unity grounded in justice, asserting that the Ahmadiyya Community, under the leadership of its Supreme Head, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba), possesses the spiritual architecture to lead this global unification.
The academic don also attributed Nigeria’s lingering instability to deep-seated injustices and governance failures, urging that government should address all acts of injustice that have given birth to feelings of resentment and rancour in all regions to achieve peace and stability in Nigeria.
Adding a diplomatic weight to the discourse, the former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafadeen Tunji Ishola, lauded the Jama’at as the “true representatives of what Islam stands for.” Visibly impressed by the serenity of the gathering, the diplomat commended the Community for its century-long contribution to Nigeria’s education and health sectors. He challenged the wider Muslim community to emulate the discipline and brotherhood exhibited at the Jalsa, noting that if such unity could be replicated nationally, Nigeria would overcome its security challenges.
The convention also featured a series of high-impact social and spiritual interventions. In a landmark move, the Ahmadi Muslim Lawyers’ Association of Nigeria (AMLAN) launched its maiden “Free Legal Clinic,” described as a “professional gift” to complement the spiritual blessings of the gathering. Simultaneously, the community celebrated family values with a mass Nikkah ceremony for 16 couples, preceded by a unique counseling session led by the Amir and Heads of Auxiliary Bodies.
Furthermore, the Jama’at reaffirmed its commitment to intellectual excellence by presenting merit awards to 68 members, ranging from university professors to secondary school students, while also rallying academic elites to support the newly licensed Minaret University in Ikirun, Osun State.
The event was graced by a host of distinguished personalities, including the Olu of Ilaro and Paramount Ruler of Yewaland, Oba Dr. Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle; the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Ilaro, Dr. Mikhail Akinde; the Managing Director of Raqeem Press International, UK, Sir Malik Muzaffar Ahmed; and Alhaji Fadil Olaniyi Ajadi, Commissioner, Ogun State House of Assembly Service Commission, representing Senator Olamilekan Adeola (Yayi). Religious leaders from the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Chief Imam of Ilaro were also in attendance, underscoring the convention’s spirit of interfaith harmony.
In the communique issued at the end of the conference, the Jama’at resolved that unity among Muslims is a divine command essential for strength and progress. It further called on all citizens to become righteous role models for future generations, emphasizing that character building begins at home.
The convention concluded with a special prayer led by the Amir for the peace, stability, and prosperity of Nigeria and the world at large.
