In the opening session of the Jalsa Salana, Mukarram Amir Jamaluddin Raother Saheb presided over the proceedings. YK Hariz Saheb recited the Holy Qur’an, Muhammad Sabir Saheb of Palakkad recited a Nazm. In his Opening Speech, Hazrat Khalifatullah (atba) spoke about the aims and objectives of an annual congregation like the ‘Jalsa Salana’. Drawing copiously from the explanations given in the previous century by the Promised Messiah Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian in his writings, Hazrat Saheb (atba) endorsed the noble practice initiated by the Promised Massih (as) and underscored the purpose of Jalsa Salana as an occasion for brotherhood, mutual understanding and shared learning.
Read the extracts from the Speech:
THE PURPOSE OF THE JALSA SALANA
My dear disciples and followers, My friends and supporters in Kerala,
Assalamoualaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakaatuhu.
I am happy to be here today, for this special event: Jalasa Salana. Today, my dear ones, I would like to expound on the purpose of the Jalsa Salana which was first initiated by the Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as). In his book Asmani Faisala (The Heavenly Decree) on pg. 74-75, Hazrat Ahmad (as) said concerning the Jalsa Salana:
“This
gathering will be devoted to the exposition of such truths and
spiritual insight as are necessary for the promotion of faith and
certainty and spiritual understanding, and there will be special
prayers and attention for the participants. And to the best of our
ability we shall endeavour to supplicate at the threshold (doorstep)
of the Most Merciful that He may draw them towards Him, may accept
them and may bring about a pious change in them. An additional
benefit of these gatherings will be that each year new entrants to
the Jamaat shall, by being present on the fixed dates, get to know
their brethren who had joined earlier. And these meetings will lead
to progressive strengthening of the bond of mutual love and
affection. Prayers for absolution will be offered for brothers who
will have passed away in the interim, and supplications shall be made
at the threshold (doorstep) of the Glorious God that He may unite all
these brothers in spirit and banish all estrangement, dryness and
differences from amongst them.