Ijtema Preparations

Preparation for this year’s Local Ijtema started Mid-December 2021, giving us over 6 weeks to prepare. All Ijtema committee members were requested to write a letter to beloved Huzur (atba) for the success of the ijtema. The Ijtema committee was set up which was led by Ihtasham Mirza Baig Sb (Chairman Ijtema). Four ijtema committee meetings were held to finalize the agenda of the day, academic and sports competitions, confirm ziafat arrangements, and discuss attendance campaign.

Every Khadim was contacted in 3 different phases. The 1st phase was to get them to save the date, 2nd phase was to confirm they had received the Ijtema syllabus and to encourage participation in competitions and the 3rd phase was to confirm attendance and to see if any Khadim required transport. Forms of contact included Jumma announcement, text messaging, alerts in Khuddam Whatsapp group and phone calls. House visits were also carried out to invite Khuddam in person. The attendance campaign was led by 4 group leaders who were assigned 6 Khuddam each in parallel with Qaid sb also establishing contact and inviting every Khadim personally.

The Site was set up the night before the even with respect to chairs, tables, posters, and banners.

 

Day of the Ijtema

Alhumdulillah, MKA Hayes East was given permission to hold an in-person Khuddam Ijtema this year, hence, we needed to ensure that we met all National and Jamaat Covid 19 protocols. To ensure compliance, the plan and agenda of the Ijtema was discussed in detail with MKA’s Disaster Management Committee. On the day of the Ijtema, a Covid-19 check point was set up inside the Mosque entrance where a dedicated covid-19 officer checked temperature, ensured hand sanitation, provided homeopathy, carried out lateral flow tests, and confirmed everyone entering wore a mask. Hand sanitation and surface wipes were provided on all tables, in every room and at entrance/ exit points. Posters were put up to highlight guidelines and regular reminders were announced so all Khuddam could be kept safe.

The Ijtema started at 10:00am with registration and breakfast. The opening session began at 10:30am with Naib Regional Qaid Middlesex, Khalid Noor Sb address us on the theme of the ijtema “Honouring our Pledge”.

We then began the academic session at 11:00am which included Tilawat, Nazm, Azaan, Prepared speech, Extempore speech and Team Quiz. The competition concluded by 1:00pm which is when we offered our Zuhr and Asr Namaz. Alhumdulillah, this year we saw a significant increase in participants across our academic competitions. We would like to thank Murabbi Mansur Ahmad sb and Sadr Hayes Jamaat Naeem Uddin Sb for judging the academics and providing vital feedback for us to improve. 

After Namaaz,  Khuddam listened to a very informative talk by our Local Murabbi sahib Mansur Ahmad Sb on the theme of the ijtema ‘Honouring our pledge’, which followed with Q&A/ open discussion and finally lunch was served. 

This year once again we kept the food preferences of Khuddam in mind and decided the menu. We served rice with lamb jalfrezi and chocolate cheesecake which was thoroughly enjoyed. All food servers wore apron, glove, mask and all Khuddam were reminded to hand sanitise to put safety first. Tea, biscuits, fruits, crisps and snacks were readily available and served through the whole day, so no one felt hungry. 

The Ijtema committee decided that it was vital to have sports session part of the Ijtema agenda to revive the brotherhood and friendly competition between the Khuddam. This was received very well by the khuddam, as every Khadim participated and competed to gain positions. We held a Basketball Shoot in hoops competition, Football, Table tennis, and team building competitions.               

At 4:00pm Sadr Sb MKA virtually joined our ijtema for the closing session. Sadr Sb also address us on the theme of the ijtema. After Sadr Sb concluded his session, we continued with our prize distribution led by respected Murrabi Sb.

Summary

Alhumdullilah, with the the grace of Allah and prayers of Hazur (atba), we had 15 khuddam attend the MKA Hayes East local Khuddam Ijtema 2022, which equated to 50% attendance. All Khuddam thoroughly enjoyed the academic session, food and sports, but more importantly were inspired and motivated with all the presentations/speeches of our respected guests. Finally, I would like to thank Chairman sb Ihtasham Mirza Baig sb, the Ijtema committee for the continued work behind the scenes for the success of the Ijtema. I want to thank all Khuddam brothers who took time out and attended to make this Ijtema a success and historic. Last but not least, we would like to thank Sadr Sb MKA for taking time out from his busy schedule to talk to us and inspire us to ‘Honour our pledge’. May Allah enable all of us to remember our pledge and have it on the forefront of minds always. Ameen

JazakAllah