On a warm and spiritually uplifting summer evening at the majestic Darul Barakaat Mosque in Birmingham, over 130 members of Majlis Ansarullah gathered in brotherhood and service for what was to be a truly unforgettable night. The Beacon of Peace Charity Dinner, held under the blessed banner of service to humanity, brought together hearts, minds and intentions in a deeply moving and inspiring event that raised over £20,000 for the Masroor Eye Hospital in Burkina Faso.
The event was not just a fundraiser. It was a celebration of our shared values, a reaffirmation of our mission, and a powerful testimony to the spirit of Ansarullah, selfless service, quiet sacrifice, and unshakeable faith.
A Night Built on Brotherhood
From the moment the guests arrived at Darul Barakaat, there was a palpable sense of purpose in the air. This was not simply a gathering for charity, it was a gathering of hearts committed to the noble cause of alleviating the suffering of the less fortunate.
The planning of event started last month when Nazme Alaa sb set up a core committee and allocated various duties to senior members of Amila. The planning and execution of the evening was a labour of love, led by members of the West Midlands region, many of whom had worked tirelessly behind the scenes for weeks to make every detail seamless, from the elegant layout of the hall to the warmth of the welcome extended to each guest. This was not a professionally staged event, it was something far more precious: a family effort. Every brother played his part with sincerity and humility, in the spirit of Khidmat-e-Khalq.
The event started with the recitation of Holy Quran and its translation. Regional Nazim-e-Alaa Rafique Saleh Nasir welcomed the guests and gave a brief introduction of the Beacon of Peace charity. The event was chaired by the Chairman of Beacon of Peace, Mr. Lutf Rehman sahib. Chairman sahib and the and team provided valuable updates about the Masroor Eye Hospital and Masroor General hospital along with motivating speeches from Sheikh Rafiq Tahir sahib and Nazme Aala sahib, to explain the importance of charity work and to encourage members to donate towards this important charity.
Bearing Witness to Service: The Presentation
It is rare to hear words that not only inform but transform. Dr Imran Masood and Dr Jagdeep Gandhi offered just that, a presentation that was as thought-provoking as it was emotionally profound.
With images and videos from the Masroor Eye Hospital, they took us on a journey, not just through Burkina Faso’s dry plains and impoverished clinics, but through the lives of those whose sight had been restored. We heard stories of elderly villagers who had lived in darkness for years, only to have their vision restored in moments by the grace of God and the skill of these dedicated doctors.
They spoke with humility and reverence about the staff at the hospital, about the locals who had waited days to receive treatment, and about the quiet resilience of the people of Burkina Faso. They described how the hospital, built through the tireless efforts of our Jamaat, has become a beacon of hope in a country where healthcare is scarce, and eye care even scarcer.
It was particularly humbling to hear them describe the atmosphere of the hospital: not just a place of medical care, but a space of spiritual healing. Patients are greeted with kindness. The name of Allah is remembered. The Promised Messiah’s teachings of love and service are lived daily by the staff. The doctors did not speak from a place of ego, but from a place of deep gratitude, gratitude for having had the opportunity to serve, to bear witness to miracles, and to represent the Jamaat in a land far from home.
The Power of Sight, the Power of Service
To hear first-hand how a £50 surgery can restore the sight of a blind person is to realise how small our sacrifices are, and how great their impact can be. The presentation struck a chord with every heart in the room. It made the fundraising that followed not only easier, but joyful.
Donations came in steadily throughout the evening, some large, some modest, but all given with sincerity. Members opened their hearts and wallets without hesitation, spurred by the powerful reminder that our small efforts can become part of a much larger mercy.
By the end of the evening, over £20,000 had been raised, a staggering amount considering the size of the gathering. That figure does not represent money alone. It represents restored vision. It represents dignity returned to elders who no longer need to be led by hand. It represents children who can now see their parents, their schools, their futures. It represents light.
The Warm Embrace of Hospitality
No guest left hungry, physically or spiritually. The dinner, lovingly prepared and served by volunteers, reflected the generosity and hospitality that define our Jamaat. Every dish was a token of our love and care for our guests and for the cause we were supporting. The food nourished not just our bodies but our bonds of brotherhood.
Reflections on the Purpose of Our Lives
What made the evening so emotional was not just the cause, it was the spirit. This event was not about applause or recognition. It was about silent, steady service. It was about embodying the words of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), who said: “The best of people are those who are most beneficial to others.”
It was about remembering the mission of the Promised Messiah (pbuh), who wrote: “Sympathy for all mankind is a moral obligation and a duty, and to serve humanity is the essence of Islam.”
The Beacon of Peace charity, inspired by these teachings, is not just a charity in name, it is a living testimony to the values of Ahmadiyyat. The Masroor Eye Hospital is not just a building, it reflects the light of Khilafat, spreading across continents.
A Moment of Unity, a Legacy of Service
The evening concluded with silent prayers, tears of gratitude, and promises renewed. Each attendee left with something more than they came with, a deeper understanding of what it means to serve. A rekindled passion to do more. A heart that had been softened by the stories they had heard, and a soul that had been elevated by the blessings of the evening.
A Word of Thanks
I would be remiss not to thank the many hands that made this event possible, the event organisers who gave so generously of their time, the volunteers who cooked and served, the brothers who cleaned the mosque late into the night, and the donors who gave with open hearts. To our national and regional amila, who supported the event with encouragement and guidance, Jazakumullah ahsan al-jaza.
And above all, we express our deepest gratitude to our beloved Huzur (aba), whose prayers and guidance continue to inspire every act of service we undertake.
The Journey Ahead
The Beacon of Peace charity dinner was a moment. We must not let this spirit fade. Let this dinner be a beginning, not a climax. Let us organise more events. Let us speak more boldly about the good our Jamaat is doing. Let us encourage our children to serve. Let us support Beacon of Peace in its future endeavours with even greater zeal. This is the legacy we must carry forward. This is the light we must share.
May Allah accept our humble efforts, forgive our shortcomings, and bless the work of Beacon of Peace with ever-increasing success. Ameen.
Report prepared by: Dr Nadeem Tony Ahmed
Reviewed and checked by: Mr Zia U Farooqui