By Binta Jaiteh
Majalis Ansarullah Gambia over the weekend held its 16th National Ijtema program which was geared towards strengthening brotherhood among the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamat.
Majalis Ansarullah is an organization within the AhmadiyyaJamat for elderly people 40 years and above. The event is hosted annually.
Speaking during the three-day event held at Nusrat Senior Secondary School, Ebrima Jam Jallow, President of the Organization said they must remember that the event was not an ordinary or worldly gathering, most of which are held just for worldly pleasures.
“Rather, it must be regarded as a period of reflection, submission, and strengthening of brotherhood among participants. As elders of the Jama’at, we must see ourselves as role models for our families and society at large.
“In terms of attaining high spiritual standards, and lofty levels of morality and other good deeds, it ought to be the auxiliary organization of Ansarullah that should lead by example. This can only occur when a person develops Taqwa (righteousness) in one’s heart; only then can one establish communion with Allah the Almighty, and subsequently attain the highest of ranks in morality,” he preached.
According to him, only thereafter can an individual be included among the true Ansar. For this very reason, he noted that the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) fervently called upon his followers on countless occasions to tread the path of righteousness, because it is a most fundamental requirement.
Kemo Sonko, the Deputy Majalis of Ansarullah alluded that it is an organization within the Ahmadiyya Jamat for the elderly people from the age of 80 and above.
He highlighted the importance of the event saying it brought together elderly members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamat from every corner of the country for three days.
The objective, he said, is for the people to build strong relationships among themselves, share experiences, and remember Allah.
Furthermore, he encouraged parents to people to bring up their children in the best Islamic manner to ensure that they are the future generation of the Jamat.
Mr Sonko expressed that without peace nothing is possible and there is trouble all over the world and the principal driver of this is a lack of justice.
He, therefore, urged the Jamat to love each other saying Ahmadiyya is not a religion of its own and it is a misconception around the Ahmadiyaas.
Billal Jawo, chairman of the Ijtema organizing committee, said Majalis Ansarullah is the elderly people of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and this is a congress that is organized annually.
The preparation has taken them two months on the logistics, especially the financial aspect and people contributed immensely to the success of the annual event which “we appreciate a lot.”
However, this year’s program is more impressive than the previous years, and since this is the start they hope it will be better in the years coming.