2020 Annual Convention UK: God’s Bounties on Ahmadiyya Community

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic in many parts of the world, it was not possible to hold the 2020 UK Annual Convention with its full traditional arrangements where thousands of people from the UK and around the world travel to attend the convention in person. However, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK arranged a limited scale in-person attendance for some key programs that included addresses of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (ABA), the worldwide head of the community. While hundreds of thousands of people watched these programs, speeches and presentations organized and broadcast by Muslim TV Ahmadiyya (MTA) during the three days.

Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Rochester Hills, Michigan viewed proceedings of the convention via Muslim TV Ahmadiyya’s (MTA) live transmissions. Most members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Rochester Hills, Michigan watched a series of programs organized by the MTA at their homes while few members managed to view program proceedings at their Mosque located in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Imam Shamshad Nasir, Community's Michigan Chapter President Maqbool Tahir, Naseem Khan, Mubashar Mirza and Naeem Ahmad watched the concluding address of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community at their mosque Masjid Mahmood.

During the Friday Sermon on 7 August 2020, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said that while this is the weekend of the 2020 Annual Convention of UK, the Convention is not being held this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Muslim TV Ahmadiyya International (MTA) has attempted to fill this void by organizing various programs that will be broadcast during these three days.

As per the traditions, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad gave a summary of Allah’s Blessings upon the Ahmadiyya Community during the year since the last convention.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad narrated the many Blessings of Almighty Allah during the past year, a brief summary of some of these is as under:

·288 new chapters established around the world and the seeds of the Community sown in 1,040 new places, with Sierra Leone topping the list with 40 new chapters.

· 217 mosques had been established across four continents. Of these, 124 were newly built, while 93 existing mosques were acquired. Some of the countries in which these mosques were established, included the UK, France, Germany, Nigeria, Indonesia, India, Ghana, Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Senegal, Togo, Zambia, etc. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih narrated various faith-inspiring incidents about the construction of mosques around the world as well.

· 22.7 million people received the message of Islam throughout the world and more than 9,357,000 leaflets were distributed

• 4,256,659 publications in 93 countries. These include 407 different books and pamphlets in 42 languages.
• More than 190,000 books in 24 languages were sent to different countries
• 360,240 books printed in the UK
• The Community press established in eight African countries collectively printed over 612,000 books
• 97 new mission houses established around the world
• The first Ahmadi mosque in Mexico has been established – Baitul Afiyat
• The first Ahmadi mosque in Malawi has been built
• 41,111 sessions of volunteering (waqar-e-amal) were held in 114 countries, saving $5,213,000
• 407 unique books and pamphlets were produced in 42 different languages
• 7,540 Quran exhibitions held reaching 343,000 people.

• 45 books and leaflets have been published in Arabic. The 20th volume of Ruhani Khazain has been sent for print this year, along with the first volume of Tafsir-e-Kabir and various other translations of the Promised Messiah’s books and literature translated in Arabic.

· French translations of literature along with various outreach activities are rendered in French. In November 2019, the French website was launched that many people continue to visit.

· 18 Turkish translations of books completed that will be published very soon. On MTA, 43 Turkish programs were recorded afresh. Various other outreach activities are also being rendered in the Turkish language.

· Community's Russian website was launched in 2013 and all Friday Sermons and other addresses are regularly uploaded in the Russian language. More than 10,000 people visited the website in the past year. The Uzbek website has also Friday Sermons and other MTA programs. The Kyrgyz website is also functioning in a similar manner.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad read out an extract from the writings of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) on the subject of divine help and succor with God’s chosen people. He then concluded by praying that the world may quickly turn to the truth and that we may fulfill our obligations for making this a reality. At the end Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad led the members in silent prayers where members from across the globe joined hands and prayed together. May Allah continue to Shower His Blessings on the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Ameen

About Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans over 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is among the oldest American-Muslim organizations.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long- awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad.

The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and re-institute morality, justice, and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.