What Really Happens Behind the Scenes at Jalsa?
By Lawal Ibraheem Olaniyi
Every year, the Jalsa season brings beautiful moments that rejuvenate our faith and melt our hearts into absolute humility—moments so profound that they often bring tears to our eyes. The Tahajjud prayers leave the heart in a state of complete submission. Yet another aspect of Jalsa Salana that leaves an indelible mark on our hearts is the Jalsa Volunteering Service.
For years, Jalsa volunteering never seemed like a big deal—at least to me. I thought Jalsa was all about reunions, prayers, and lectures. I never paused to consider the “behind-the-scenes” efforts that bring the entire Jalsa Salana to life.
It was about three years ago when I finally stepped into the volunteering space. My roommates and I, coming all the way from Akure, arrived at the Jalsa Gah a week early, encouraged and motivated by our respected Maulvi. Each day was an opportunity to work tirelessly with the Jalsa construction team. After Fajr prayers, we would catch a short nap to make up for the early Tahajjud wake-up. Once awake, we joined the construction efforts, moving through the sections of the Jalsa Gah, digging through hard soil, erecting bamboo structures, and building barricades. We worked tirelessly until Zuhr, and it was during those moments that I began to realize just how much effort and planning went into these preparations.
Last year’s experience was even more thrilling. I arrived at Jalsa a bit later than the previous year—on a Wednesday afternoon around 5pm. In our numbers, we stormed the kitchen area, curious to see what was happening. Not much was underway, except for baskets of peppers waiting to be processed. We eagerly took to the task, de-stemming the peppers one by one. By Maghrib, the peppers were washed and ready for grinding.
The grinding process was, perhaps, the most memorable part of the evening. We all playfully tussled for grinding sticks. You’d think those sticks were family heirlooms, each person protecting theirs, so much that we jokingly nicknamed them “my baby.” What followed was an intense grinding marathon that lasted about four hours, fueled by banter and jokes—the energy was matchless.
When we finally finished grinding, we thought our work for the day was done—but no! The next stop was the fish-cleaning section. Funnily enough, our team was made up entirely of boys. We quickly relieved the elderly women we found there and offered to help. Washing and cleaning iced fish for thousands of attendees was no easy feat. Each time I dipped my hand into the fish gills to remove the filaments and rakers, a chilling sensation ran through my bones. Yet, despite the bone-numbing experience, we kept joking and laughing as we worked. This went on for about two more hours, finishing up around 1am. Even then, our energy was still high, though we were finally done for the day.
The next day was just as interesting. We started by moving thousands of cartons of bread and later returned to the kitchen. This time, it wasn’t peppers or fish—we tackled the pot-washing section. We joked about earning “master’s degrees in pot washing” as we scrubbed piles of large ṣaki pots. This was the joy and high energy we found in volunteering.
This year, however, my role shifted. I found myself on the Content Writing Team, a subsidiary of the Jalsa Media Team. While it may sound like a “white-collar” job, it is equally demanding. Preparation begins months before Jalsa, involving careful planning, strategizing, and relentless effort to curate the beautiful content seen across social media channels. Every word is restructured, every post articulated with care to ensure the message of Jalsa resonates worldwide.
My Jalsa volunteering experience has been dynamic. From the construction grounds to the kitchen and now the “behind-the-scenes” roles with Jalsa Media, each effort has shaped my perspective and instilled in me a greater sense of responsibility. Now, I know that Jalsa volunteering is more than just work—it is an opportunity to serve, bond, and experience the true essence of humility and dedication.
