Ahmadiyya Muslims converge in Qadian for annual congregation

Ahmadiyya Muslims from over 50 countries are expected to participate in the 125th annual congregation of the community to be held in the last week of this month at Qadian in Punjab.
Thousands of Ahmadiyyas including those from Pakistan are expected to arrive at Qadian for the spiritual 'Salana Jalsa'.
Last year, around 5,000 people from Pakistan had attended the event but this year their confirmation is yet to received, said Tariq Ahmad Ahmadiyya, spokesperson of Ahmadiyya Muslim Ja'amat India.
"Generally their confirmation is received late because most of them travel by road and border clearance issues are to be managed. But those coming by flights will definitely participate although there is tension between the two countries," he said.

A large delegation from Indonesia will also participate in the event scheduled on December 26-28.
In 1891, the founder of Ahmadiyya Muslim community, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, had initiated the spiritual event to promote inter-religious peace and harmony, said Shiraz Ahmad, additional chief secretary of the Jama'at.

The event will be marked by a 'world religions' session in which people from different faiths will suggest solutions to the problems faced by world, Shiraz said.
On the last day, a televised address will be given by worldwide head of Ahmadiyya community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, who is based in London.

The message of love and loyalty towards one's nation will also be emphasised during the discussions at the event, Shiraz said.
The Ahmadiyya leaders also expressed their opposition to instantaneous triple talaq and extended support to Uniform Civil Code for the country.
"Those who make Muslim laws should sit together to remove flaws in triple talaq in one go. We believe there should be equal interval in each pronouncement of talaq to give time to spouses to sort out their disagreements.
"As far as Uniform Civil Code is concerned, we go by the government. We feel Ahmadiyyas will not face any problems if it is implemented," Tariq said in reply to questions by reporters.

There are around 1.5 lakh Ahmadiyya community members in the country.