On the 29th of January 2023 Southall held their local Ijtema, this year’s theme being “Salat – Delight of our eyes”. The whole day was packed with both activities aimed for spiritual enlightenment as well as strengthening brotherhood through colloquial yet empowering activities.

The day started off early at 9am where a healthy and continental breakfast display was arranged. Following this we were graced by the Regional Qaid of Middlesex for the opening session which ran until 10:30am, setting the tone for the theme of the Ijtema and setting out an objective for the day ahead. Following this was the sports competition, were there was healthy competition in dodgeball, football, cricket and badminton. All Khudam brothers showed exceptional sportsmanship and thoroughly enjoyed all the games.

After the sports competition we offered Zuhr and Asr prayers in congregation, followed shortly by lunch which included biryani and a selection of cakes for desert. At around 14:30 we took part in a Talqeen-e-Amal session where members were split in to groups and encouraged to create a presentation on the origins and interpretations of a Hadith relating to the theme of the Ijtema which went successfully. After this we began our academics completions, one of the many highlights of the day at around 15:00, which due to the overwhelming participation had to flow over past Maghrib namaz time Alhamdullilah.

At around 17:30 there was an arrangement for “Hub Activities” which involved indoor recreational time in the form of arm-wrestling, a ping pong tournament, FIFA matches on the PS4 and a foosball competition, all of which served as an enjoyable yet exciting rest for the so far tiring day. While Khudams worked up an appetite our Ijtema team was blessed enough to be able to serve a second meal in the form of dinner, this time in the form of much loved chicken and chips. After  this there was a wind down via a team quiz which served as a method for team work , competition and improving our religious knowledge on Kahoot. Members then offered congregational Isha prayers at around 20:00.

By around 20:15 the day was ready to be wrapped up, and Southall Jama’at was graced by the presence of Majlis Khudamal Ahmadiyya for the concluding session, who made the effort of travelling all the way from up north and make a stop at our Jama’at. Alhamdullilah we were able to have a successful prize distribution ceremony and Majlis Khudamal Ahmadiyya  shared some beautiful words of wisdom about the importance of Salat and this year’s theme of the Ijtema.

Overall the event was extremely successful in that it provided a means to bring the members of Southall Jama’at closer together whilst reinforcing the beauty of Salat and the pedestal which we should show it throughout our lives as a whole.