March 10, 2024, Valley Park Community Center, Chandlers Ford
By the boundless grace and mercy of Allah the Almighty, the Bournemouth and Southampton Jamaat were blessed to hold their Local Ansarullah Ijtema on March 10, 2024. This gathering, themed “Righteous Servants,” was a profound day of spiritual engagement and community bonding, reflecting our dedication to embodying the virtues of righteous servitude.
Pre-Ijtema Sports Event
In a joyful prelude to the Ijtema, our sports events took place on March 8th at Meadowside Leisure Center in Whiteley, Fareham. Although the number was modest, with five Ansars participating, the spirit was high. The brothers enjoyed casual games of badminton and table tennis, fostering camaraderie and physical well-being.
Ijtema Day: Spiritual and Academic Pursuits
The main event unfolded at the Valley Park Community Center and commenced with registration and refreshments at 11:00 AM, welcoming all attendees with warm hospitality. The opening session, chaired by Zaeem-e-Aala, Rana Sammiullah Khan Sahib, began at 11:30 AM. It started with the recitation of the Holy Quran and its translation, imbuing the atmosphere with a divine presence. This was followed by the pledge, a nazm, and brief announcements by the local Zaeem, Qasim Khan Niazi. An introduction by Zaeem-e-Alaa set the tone for the day’s spiritual and intellectual engagements.
Academic competitions started promptly at noon, featuring contests in Tilawat, Nazm, Prepared Speech, and Extempore Speech, along with a team event of Chinese Whisper. These competitions were not just a test of knowledge but also a display of the eloquence and deep faith of our members.
Reflections and Recognitions
Post-competitions, the Zuhr namaaz provided a communal moment of prayer, followed by a shared lunch, allowing members to bond over meals and meaningful conversations. The final session resumed at 2:30 PM with prize distributions and a concluding address by Zaeem-e-Aala, who also chaired the event. His words were both a reflection on our accomplishments and a call to continue our spiritual journey.
The event concluded with a collective dua, sealing the day with prayers for guidance, success, and the continued unity of our Jamaat.
In Gratitude and Looking Forward
We are immensely grateful to all the participants and organizers who made this Ijtema a source of blessings and inspiration. It was a day marked by the reaffirmation of our commitment to live as ‘Righteous Servants’ and foster a community built on the foundations of love, knowledge, and devotion to Allah.
We look forward to more such gatherings where we can continue to nurture our faith and fellowship, inspired by the guidance of Khilafat, and united in our dedication to Islam and Ahmadiyyat.