Report - 24th National Ijtema (Annual Gathering)
Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, Australia 2007

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Introduction

By the Grace of Almighty Allah, the 24th Annual Ijtema (Gathering) of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Australia commenced after Friday prayers on the 19th of October 2007 at the Bait-Ul-Huda Mosque in Sydney.
The Gathering began with the Flag Hoisting Ceremony at 2:15pm. Sadr (President) of Majlis

Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Australia, Amjad Habib Khan hoisted the Khuddam flag while the Qaid (Leader) of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya QLD, Ehsan-Ul-Haq Alvi hoisted the Australian flag. The Khuddam Tarana was then sung in unison followed by the singing of the Australian National Anthem. With both flags flying high in the clear and cloud-less sky, Ameer Jamaat Australia, Maulana Mahmood Ahmad led silent prayers.

Day One

Opening Session

It was quite a warm and sunny day, so most Khuddam were glad to go back inside the mosque for the start of the opening session of the Ijtema. This began at 2:30pm and was chaired by Amjad Habib Khan (Sadr Sahib). The session commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran and translation by Rana Ejaz.

Sadr Sahib then read out the Khuddam pledge with all the Khuddam repeating the words after him. Mohammed Shafiq proceeded to recite a nazm (religious poem) in a most beautiful tone leaving the audience mesmerised.

Then, Sadr Sahib presented his opening address. He started off by welcoming everyone and highlighted that the participants in the Ijtema from inter-state had increased from last year. Among various issues, he stressed the importance of namaz, encouraged Khuddam to actively participate in all competitions in the right spirit and finally prayed for the success of the Ijtema and its participants. The opening session ended with silent prayers at 3:10pm.

First Session

The first session of the religious knowledge competitions began at 3:15pm, with the first competition being the Quran Recitation Competition. This was judged by Mujeeb-Ur-Rehman Sanori, Khalid Saifullah Khan and Muzaffar Mirza. The Nazm (religious poem) Competition was next and this was judged by Omar Shahab Khan, Usman Khan and Muzaffar Mirza. At the same time as the nazm competition was being held, the Hifz-e-Quran Competition was run simultaneously in the library at the mosque. This was judged by Khalid Saifullah Khan, Musa Bin Masran and Mujeeb-Ur-Rehman Sanori. The final religious competition of the session was the Urdu Speech Competition, which was judged by Khalid Saifullah Khan, Omar Shahab Khan and Muzaffar Mirza. This brought an end to the session at 5:50pm.

Maghrib/Isha prayers were then offered in congregation at 6:30pm followed by dinner at 7pm. Majlis-e-Shoora was held at 7:30pm and the day ended with the Table Tennis Competition.

 Day Two

The 2nd day of the Ijtema began nice and early at 3:30am with Tahajjud prayers followed by Fajr prayers. Majlis-e-Shoora continued at 4:45am followed by breakfast before the sports competitions started. The pool games for soccer and cricket were held between 7am and 12:30pm to decide the finalists who were scheduled to play on the last day of the Itjema. Lunch was served next and then Zuhr/Asr prayers were offered in congregation. The sports competitions continued at 3pm with Volleyball. After the pool games were out of the way, Majlis Al-Noor and Majlis South Australia contested the final with Al-Noor coming out on top. Long Jump and Shot Put were held after the Volleyball final. After this, Khuddam had some time to mingle and socialise with other Khuddam from inter-state. This led up to Maghrib/Isha prayers at 6:30pm followed by dinner.

Second Session

The 2nd session of the religious knowledge competitions commenced at 7:45pm with the recitation and translation of the Holy Quran by Hafiz Rana Sohail followed by the English Speech Competition, which was judged by Omar Shahab Khan and Mohammed Younus. After this, the Religious Knowledge Competition was held and this was run by Malik Imran Karim. The final competition of the day was Bait Bazi, which was run by Omar Shahab Khan.

The final meeting of the Majlis-e-Shoora followed the competitions and this brought an end to the 2nd day of the Ijtema.

Day Three

The 3rd and final day of the Ijtema stated once again at 3:30am with Tahajjud and Fajr prayers. At 4:30am the Message Relay Competition was held followed by the Wrist Wrestling Competition. As the sun was rising, breakfast was served and then the Marathon race took place. It was then time for the soccer and cricket finals.

The soccer final was played first and this was contested between Majlis Al-Sadaqat and Majlis Al-Nasir. After an evenly-contested battle, Al-Sadaqat emerged with a 1-0 victory with Mahmood Shah scoring the winner in the 2nd half. The cricket final was played next, with the same two Majalis as the soccer final competing against each other. Unlike the soccer final, this was a very one-sided affair with Al-Nasir thrashing Al-Sadaqat with some hard-hitting and clinical bowling.

The final two competitions of the Ijtema were Tug-O-War and the 100 metre race, which were held after the cricket final.
Zuhr/Asr prayers were held in congregation at 12:30pm followed by a well-deserved lunch at 1pm.

Concluding Session

The final session of the Ijtema commenced at 2:35pm with the recitation and translation of the Holy Quran by Mudassar Mahmood. Sadr Sahib then read out the Khuddam Pledge with all the Khuddam repeating the words after him. A nazm was delivered after this by Fakhr Anwar in a very melodious tone. Next, Sadr Sahib presented the annual report for Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Australia. MTA Australia proceeded to present a slide-show of various photographs from the Itjema on a projector.
The prize distribution ceremony followed this with Atfal receiving their prizes first by Khalid Saifullah Khan, Naib Ameer of Jamaat Ahmadiyya Australia. Khuddam received their prizes after the Atfal from Khalid Saifullah Khan as well.
Then there were some special prizes given for the best performing Majalis in the following departments:
Tarbiyyat: Majlis Al-Noor
Maal: Majlis Al-Noor
Wasiyyat: Majlis Queensland
Amoomi: Majlis Victoria
Waqar-e-Amal: Majlis Victoria
Tabligh: Majlis South Australia

The final and most anticipated prize, the Alm-e-Inami shield, which is given to the best performing overall Majlis, was then presented to the this year’s winner, Majlis South Australia. Majlis Al-Noor were not too far behind in second and Majlis Queensland came third.

The concluding address was delivered by Ameer Sahib, Maulana Mahmood Ahmad at 4:30pm. He highlighted the fact that next year in 2008, it will be the Centenary Khilafat Jubilee Year as well as the Silver Jubilee Ijtema for Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Australia. He mentioned that the Ijtema is like a training camp and then continued on to stress that the youth are the future and that Khuddam are the leaders of tomorrow. Hence, all Khuddam should have knowledge of the Holy Quran as well as the books of the Promised Messiah (as), should know how to lead Friday prayers, offer the 5 daily prayers regularly, pay chanda on a regular basis and strive to spread the message of Islam and Ahmadiyyat in this World. Ameer Sahib pointed out that Ahmadis our very fortunate and blessed in having a spiritual leader and that everyone should strengthen their bond with Khilafat. In line with this, listening to Huzur’s (aba) Friday Sermons every week is essential.
In conclusion, he mentioned that for next year’s Centenary Khilafat celebrations, Khuddam should plan from now on trying to make the tour to New Zealand/Fiji, the UK Jalsa Salana or the Qadian Jalsa Salana. The 24th Annual Ijtema, with the Grace of Almighty Allah ended at 5:10pm with Ameer Sahib leading silent prayers.

Attendance

Syed Tariq Ahmad, News Editor Gents
Ahmadiyya Australia website - 10.11.2007

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