After reciting the Tashahhud, Ta’awwuz, and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) stated:
By the grace of God Almighty, a few days ago, Jalsa Salana [the annual convention] of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Germany concluded after receiving many blessings of Allah the Exalted. By the grace of Allah, as I announced on the final day, the attendance this year reached above 40,000. All this progress that we observe year-on-year is solely and entirely due to Allah’s grace, Who always blesses us far more than our efforts and endeavours. Thus, being increasingly grateful to Allah, we should endeavour to expand our efforts so that these blessings and favours of Allah the Exalted continue to increase. The hundreds of non-Ahmadi and non-Muslim guests have stated that they had experienced an extraordinary atmosphere which had a profound effect on them. Our own members also express this feeling. However, the way all the workers including even young boys and girls work and the way people stay together in such large numbers without any quarrelling or disruption, is a remarkable and unique experience for those from outside the Community. Some have even stated that this was a miracle. Thus, in addition to being a source of our own tarbiyyat, our Jalsa is also a great source of tabligh [propagating the message of Islam]. Thus, this demands from us that we continue to increase in expressing our gratitude to God Almighty.
I would firstly like to thank all the workers, both men and women, who worked incessantly day and night, in order to try and make the arrangements of Jalsa successful in every respect and who, even at this very moment, are working there as the wind up operation is continuing.
This time, due to an increase in the attendees, the organisers as well as Ameer Sahib of Germany, have realised that it is time that they ought to have a large Jalsa Gah [a site for the annual convention] of their own, as some traffic and congestion problems occurred during the Jalsa. Ameer Sahib of Germany [National President] has informed me that he has viewed a site which he liked and they are trying to acquire it. If this site is suitable for the Jama’at, in the eyes of God Almighty, then may He enable them to acquire it and may He facilitate them in purchasing it. I am hopeful of this InshaAllah and upon observing the sincerity, loyalty and the willingness of the German Jama’at to offer sacrifices, I can say that if any financial sacrifices are to be required, the members of the Jamaat, God willing, will offer such sacrifices. May Allah the Exalted increase their ability to do so.
This year, as part of the tabligh arrangements, a total of 1,179 external guests attended the Jalsa. The number of German guests was 502 and the number of guests from other European countries totalled 341. Apart from this there were 157 guests from Arab countries, 104 guests from Asia and 75 guests from Africa. In this manner, a total of seventy-six nations were represented.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) related many faith-inspiring comments from various dignitaries about their feelings about attending the Jalsa Salana Germany.
Mr Hans Oliver appreciated the comments about the impending world war, and he said that “the Imam of the Ahmadiyya Jama’at has not only correctly perceived the dangers of the future, but is also warning the world along with this. Similarly, the manner in which he connected the issue of immigration to the social and economic interests of governments was in fact a correct analysis.”
Then, Merina Pulbec Sahiba, who is an IT expert working for the airline Lufthansa, says: “Whilst listening to the address, I was constantly thinking that other leaders also deliver speeches and encourage the world to protect itself from the looming dangers.” She further says: “He made it clear to world leaders from a social and economic perspective, not from a religious perspective that world peace is interconnected to the fear of God. If we do not rise above our personal interests and take action, then we will be responsible for the catastrophic destruction that will be caused by an atomic war.”
Then, there was a married German couple, Mr. Klause and Mrs. Heide. They stated: “We were very apprehensive before we came here. Even though we had been familiar with the Jama’at for several years, we had reservations when it came to attending the Jalsa, which were based on the information we heard about Islam and Muslims from the media. Hence, we were extremely nervous coming here today as we were uncertain how big the crowd would be. However, after arriving, both of us, husband and wife, were so relaxed and we experienced such a friendly atmosphere here that it felt as if we were walking around in our own environment.”
Then, Mr. Norbert Wagner, an immigration lawyer, says: “Even though I am not attending the Jalsa for the first time and as a lawyer for cases related to Ahmadis, I am aware of most matters, (he deals with the asylum cases of Ahmadis). However, today’s address of the Imam of the Ahmadiyya Jama’at contained completely new aspects and points for me. The viewpoint presented today by the Imam of the Ahmadiyya Jama’at in relation to the issue of immigrants and those who leave their homeland will develop a mutual relationship and honour between hosting countries and immigrants.
Then, a lady named Liza from Switzerland writes, “I belong to an organization and we are working toward spreading peace. Today, when I heard this speech, I saw peace and only peace in every single word of it. In each word, I saw tolerance and regard for human dignity. If you combine peace, humanity and tolerance into one place, then you will end up forming a beautiful society.”
Then, there is a Christian Priest of Germany named Andreas Viceroad, who says that he has been greatly impressed by the Jalsa Salana – from the multitude of friendly faces, from this environment of positivity and goodness, and from the great unity and love.”
Then, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) narrated many faith-inspiring comments about the general impressions of the Jalsa.
A Kurdish Girl expressing her sentiments, states: “my mother accepted Ahmadiyyat but at the time I was not ready. Now over the last few months my heart has opened up to Ahmadiyyat as I have seen the love Ahmadis have for one another and today having listened to the address of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, all my doubts have disappeared. I also attended last year but did not then feel the emotions that I have now. My mother will be very happy because I now realize how important it is for me to become an Ahmadi.”
With regards to the Bai’at ceremony, a Lawyer from Georgia who is non-Ahmadi and lectures in a university states that the ceremony had a profound effect on him and he kept repeating that this was a miracle. He then says that he has a greater mutual love for the community and he has observed that there is a smile on the face of all Ahmadis.
For all those who took the pledge, may God Almighty increase them in their sincerity, loyalty, faith and conviction. And may every one of us reap the blessings of the Jalsa. And make us the true heirs of the prayers offered by the Promised Messiah (as).
With regards to the media coverage of the Germany Jalsa: 13 media outlets covered the Jalsa. There were also reports in the online news outlets of Italy, China and Slovakia. From their estimates, 22.6 million people received the message.
The Review of Religions also produced various content, which will continue for another week and according to their estimates, the news will reach 1 million people. Through social media the Review of Religions coverage will continue, as mentioned before.
Through MTA Africa various programs of the Jalsa were broadcast in Africa. Reports prepared about Germany Jalsa were shown on Ghana National TV, Gambia National TV, Rwanda National TV, Sierra Leone National TV and Uganda National TV.
With the grace of God, through this Jalsa there has been extensive introductions to the Jama’at throughout the world. May God Almighty bless this in every way.