By Oriolowo Mustapha
Abdurashid Anjorin Tolulope, a member of the Ekiti Jama’at, arrived at the Jalsa grounds on Thursday morning to commence his dedicated service. Assigned to the Traffic Management Team, he worked diligently to maintain order within and around the Jalsa environment, ensuring the smooth and safe movement of attendees throughout the duration of the event.
Professionally, Abdurashid serves as a Service Advisor with an engineering company—a background that has proven invaluable in the execution of his Jalsa duties. He explained that engineering training fosters versatility, analytical thinking, and the ability to manage complex situations. These skills, he noted, are particularly useful in traffic coordination, where calculating vehicle flow, timing movement, and controlling speed at busy junctions are essential to ensuring safety.
A regular attendee of Jalsa since 2017, Abdurashid regards the gathering as a profound spiritual experience that unites members from across the globe, including participants from the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and several West African countries. He expressed deep appreciation for the cultural richness of the event, highlighting interactions with members of diverse Nigerian ethnic groups such as the Hausa, Igbo, Ebira, and Igala. For him, these encounters reinforce the Jama’at’s global unity and brotherhood.
Beyond social interaction, Jalsa provides what he describes as a “spiritual diet” that continually reshapes his character. He recalled a particularly impactful lecture in which the Amir conveyed a message from the Khalifa emphasising the need for harmony between one’s words and actions. This message, he said, prompted deep personal reflection and renewed commitment to self-improvement.
The personal impact of Jalsa is also evident in the extensive network Abdurashid has built over the years. Through the Jama’at, he has formed lasting connections with members across states such as Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna—relationships that extend into both professional collaboration and personal support. To him, the Jama’at functions as a single, closely-knit family, where even first-time meetings feel like reunions among lifelong friends.
His devotion to Jalsa is further strengthened by personal experiences of what he describes as the divine acceptance of prayer. He recounted how a major vehicle breakdown prevented his attendance in 2016, leading him to pray fervently for the opportunity to attend every subsequent Jalsa. This year, that prayer was answered in an unexpected way when his employer miraculously granted him three days of leave just as he was preparing to serve.
For Abdurashid, Jalsa Salana is far more than an annual gathering; it is an integral part of his life. He looks forward to his duties each year as a vital opportunity for spiritual growth, professional development, and sincere service to Allah alongside brothers from around the world.
