By Hafiz AbdusSalam Bisiriyyu
to those who wear robes of honour behind closed doors;
behold the glow of light gilded, yet quiet and serene
like heaven’s garden
beneath this glow are
hearts that have long strayed–
abandoning for themselves
pleasures and delights
look, how they serve with
serene hands
gentle laurels crowning
their heads
look now, for it is
as though they do not exist;
you do not see them on red carpets
they do not care for grand parades
yet they are soil on which
kindness is grown
behold the twinkle of light
subtle and pure–
it is the light of
those who wear honor
behind doors jammed shut
-Mutmainnah Badr
The Heartbeat of Jalsa Salana
Every year, millions of Muslims worldwide gather for Jalsa Salana in their respective countries, others travel to neighbouring countries or as far as other continents to benefit from this glorious and spiritual gathering. The annual convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community serves as a time of reflection, spiritual renewal, and unity. While the event is renowned for its inspirational speeches, prayers, and religious discussions, behind its smooth organization lies the tireless and often unseen effort of volunteers. These volunteers are the unsung heroes who sacrifice their time, energy, and personal comfort to ensure the event runs seamlessly. Their roles go largely unnoticed when their duties are duly performed. Still, their lapses are glaring when their duties are neglected as they form the backbone of this extraordinary gathering.
Jalsa Salana is a monumental event that requires meticulous planning and coordination months before the convention. From setting up large tents to managing the flow of thousands of attendees, the sheer scale of the event can be overwhelming. Volunteers, often numbering in their hundreds, take on a variety of roles to make the convention possible. These roles include but are not limited to setting up tents, managing transportation, assisting elderly and disabled attendees, ensuring security, registering attendees, keeping the toilets clean, and providing directions to participants, etc.
The scale of Jalsa Salana means that volunteers need to be incredibly organized, adaptable, and ready to serve at any given moment. Many of these volunteers are people who put their personal lives on hold for days or even weeks to dedicate themselves to the event. The work often begins long before the event, with volunteers participating in the setup of tents, sound systems, and various logistical preparations. After the event concludes, they are also involved in the dismantling process. Their work spans a significant period, but they do so with unwavering faith and absolute devotion.
Heroes do not always wear capes, sometimes they wear nose masks
While the Jalsa Salana is a time of joy and spiritual upliftment for the attendees, it is often a time of great sacrifice for the volunteers. Many of them leave their families and personal commitments behind, foregoing rest and leisure to serve at the convention. They work long hours, often without breaks, to ensure the attendees’ experience is as smooth and comfortable as possible.
For volunteers, the sacrifices are not only physical but emotional and mental. The work can be physically demanding, especially in managing large crowds, directing traffic, and ensuring the maintenance of the facilities. Volunteers often spend their days on their feet, responding to requests and solving problems in real time. Sleep may be scarce, and personal comfort often takes a backseat to the community’s needs (if it gets any space on the bus at all). The emotional toll can also be heavy, as volunteers deal with the needs and concerns of thousands of people, but their dedication to the cause never wavers. His Holiness Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) while speaking on the sacrifices of the volunteers at the UK Jalsa 2022, said; “Jalsa volunteers were enabled to organise and carry out a vast number of departments, including MTA. These volunteers were men, women, children, the elderly, and youngsters who tried their best to serve. These volunteers come from different walks of life and include CEOs, doctors, engineers, and other professionals but they carry out duties that may be far removed from their day jobs. Some of them happily stand and attend to hundreds of huge pots of food cooking on fire, even teenagers do this work cheerfully. Groups of men and women clean toilets most selflessly, others drive the elderly and disabled in buggy carts from one point to another. Children serve drinking water in the heat while groups of men and women serve food to the guests. There is also a very important and extensive department of security. In short, each volunteer whether or not he is familiar with a particular task, carries it out with great passion and to the best of his ability. There is also the task of winding up post-Jalsa.”
Volunteers are mostly in masks; either due to the dust in the car park, the smoke in the kitchen, or the smell from the toilets. Despite these challenges, volunteers consider their work a privilege. Many see it as an opportunity to earn spiritual rewards and to contribute to the unity and success of the community. The sense of fulfilment that comes from selflessly serving others and contributing to the smooth running of such a significant event is immeasurable.
Service With a Smile
The most challenging part of a volunteer’s task is dealing with attendees. Some participants may make improbable requests or even disobey direct orders of the organisers. Harsh words are sometimes spoken to the volunteers who must at all times keep calm no matter the situation and also have to wear a broad smile while at it. His Holiness (aba) while addressing volunteers of Jalsa Salana said: “Volunteers will encounter many different types of people, including some who may even be short-tempered. In any case, volunteers must ensure to treat everyone with respect and kindness. They should never be harsh in speaking to guests or even fellow volunteers but should maintain the highest degree of dignity.” Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued: “Whilst offering duties, every duty worker, whether senior or junior, must continue to keep a smile on their faces, as I mentioned in my Friday Sermon. Always remember that you must continually manifest the highest moral standards and manners and continually focus on offering prayers. Continually remain engaged in the remembrance of Allah the Almighty. May Allah the Almighty enable all of you to fulfil your duties in an outstanding fashion. Ameen.”
A minister from Uganda after experiencing the UK jalsa said that he was amazed by the organisation of Jalsa and felt that those serving appeared like angels. Even if something was asked of them umpteenth of times, they complied cheerfully.
A VOLUNTEER IS A SILENT MISSIONARY (My encounter with the late Judge Hafiz Abdulwahab Muhammad)
In the Islamic faith, service to others is considered a high form of worship. Volunteers at Jalsa Salana find deep spiritual meaning in their work. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The best of people are those that bring the most benefit to the rest of mankind.” For volunteers, this quote serves as a guiding principle, and their service is not just a task—it is an act of devotion. Their reward, in their eyes, is not just the success of the event but the spiritual benefits they gain from helping others and serving the guests of the promised messiah (as)
According to His holiness (aba), volunteers, in addition to [performing] their duties, are serving as silent missionaries. the actions of volunteers serve as a means of silent tabligh [preaching] for the non-Ahmadi or non-Muslim guests and even fellow Ahmadis too, as I too became a volunteer due to the action of a volunteer.
My first Jalsa as a volunteer was in 2016. Although, I did not attend the Jalsa Salana as a volunteer but as a participant. While I was on sightseeing with friends after the opening session around the males’ marquee, I saw a Khadim in his sparkling, well-ironed uniform standing under the scorching sun behind the stage, volunteering as a guard. When I got closer to him, I realized it was the late Magistrate Hafiz Abdulwahab Muhammed (may Allah forgive his shortcomings). I felt ashamed; this was a brother who could boast of whatever spiritual or material quality I have and more! After exchanging pleasantries with him, I walked briskly to the hostel of Jamiatul Mubashireen students where I borrowed a khudam uniform and a pair of black shoes. Few minutes later, I was already taking my position as a guard beside him. It was one of the most fulfilling days of my life. He did a tabligh on me without saying a word! My Jalsa experience never remained the same since then. We also volunteered as guards at the following Jalsa Salana.
During the 2018 Jalsa, after a long day of standing as a guard, I could barely feel my feet but I was more worried that I am yet to see Hafiz Abdulwahab; probably he is serving as a volunteer at a different station, I thought. I decided to call him anyway, and when I did, he told me in a very weak tone that he had not arrived Jalsa yet as he was battling a bad tooth and would try to come on Saturday should he feel much better. On Saturday afternoon I called him again. And this time he told me he would not be able to make it to Jalsa as he was not feeling better yet. I promised to check on him on my way back to Kano and he expressed his delight and anxiousness about the proposed visit. There and then, I shared my plans of visiting my mentor with my dad who was sitting next to me. A few hours later, I got a call from my dad that Hafiz Abdulwahab Muhammad had returned to his lord; Inna lillahi wa innaa ilaihi raaji’uun!
Although he has passed away, he will continue to get rewards for the role he played in making me a volunteer every time I volunteer at a Jalsa Salana (Insha Allah). As the prophet (peace be upon him) was reported to have said; “whoever leads to good deeds has the same reward as who does it”. (Muslim)
Furthermore, Jalsa Salana is also an opportunity for volunteers to strengthen their bond with fellow community members. The atmosphere of unity and brotherhood is palpable, and working together toward a common goal fosters a sense of collective purpose. The volunteers, regardless of their nationality, background, or social standing, come together with one mission: to serve the guests of the event and make it an experience that will inspire and spiritually uplift all who attend.
Unsung Heroes of the Jalsa
“Volunteers should serve with the spirit that they may not receive recognition from others, but are undertaking this service for the sake of God. Volunteers should serve with the same spirit as that Companion of the Holy Prophet (sa) and his wife, who remained hungry themselves in order to feed their guests. In fact, they did so in a manner that would not make it apparent to their guest that they themselves were not eating. This greatly pleased the Holy Prophet (sa), who said that God had also been pleased with what they had done.” (Friday Sermon of His Holiness, August 5, 2022)
The work of volunteers may not be often acknowledged in the same way as the speakers or leaders of the event, but their contributions are invaluable. Their selflessness ensures that the convention remains an inspiring and organized occasion year after year. While the attendees are often focused on the spiritual and intellectual benefits of the event, it is the behind-the-scenes efforts of the volunteers that truly bring the event to life. The sacrifices of the volunteers at Jalsa Salana reflect the Islamic values of selflessness, humility, and service to humanity. Their work is a testimony to the power of community and faith, and their contributions ensure that the message of peace, unity, and love continues to reach millions. The true heroes of Jalsa Salana are not always the ones in the spotlight, but those whose devotion, sacrifice and prayers make it all possible.
As the event draws to a close, and the participants say goodbyes as they embark on their journeys back home. Tents are taken down by the volunteers, temporary stands dismantled and equipments; light and heavy are carried back to the store where they are all accounted for before volunteers can now return home, to their normal lives, often without any recognition or accolades. But for them, the real reward lies in the satisfaction of having served the community of the promised messiah (as) and contributed to a legacy of faith and unity that will continue for years to come. The sacrifices of these unsung heroes are the heart of Jalsa Salana, and their dedication will always remain an integral part of the event’s success. And as guests of the Promised Messiah (as) attending the Jalsa, let us make the volunteers’ tasks much easier by obeying the rules and regulations of the organizers. Jalsa Salana Mubaarak.
