HARRISBURGH: The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community US held its 60th Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana) at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center Harrisburg from June 20-22. This year Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community graced the event with his presence.

As a consequence more than 9,500 delegates from all over the US traveled to Harrisburgh, Pennsylvania to participate in the event. Many delegates from Africa, Europe and Asia also came to participate in the blessed Convention. This was the first visit of the Community's head in ten years. In 1998, when the then leader of the worldwide Community visited the United States over 8,000 delegates had participated in that year's annual convention.

This year's Annual Convention had the distinction of being held in the Khilafat Centenary year and the Khalifa, the Spiritual Head of the Community, addressed the participants three times. In his Friday sermon on June 20, he reminded the members of the need to grow in their righteousness and reminded them all to overcome differences of race and ethnicity and become united and work together to spread the message of Islam-Ahmadiyyat.

He urged them to learn from the examples of the Master Prophet Muhammad and his Servant Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah and Mahdi.This was the Opening Address of the Convention and was telecast live, the world over, via the Community's own 24-hours a day, international satellite television station, MTA International based in London, UK. Mirza Masroor Ahmad addressed the Ladies on the Second Day of the Convention.

He reminded them of their duties to raise their children in the best manner possible, providing for their religious education as well as their worldly education.In his closing address, again returned to the subject of self reformation. He asked everyone to return from the Convention more convinced of their faith and more prepared to make revolutionary changes in them. He urged them to do good deeds for faith without actions was of no use.

A large number of members from the local area traveled to Harrisburg, PA to participate in this historic gathering. Two of the speakers at the convention were local residents, Imam Shamshad and Anwer M Khan.Imam Shamshad delivered an address on the acceptance of prayers of the spiritual leaders of the Community.

He mentioned how throughout the 100 years of Khilafat Allah has listened to the prayers of the Khalifas, especially as the Community passed through increasingly greater periods of persecution in India and Pakistan during 1934, 1974, and 1984 and how Allah dealt with the leaders of these oppositions. Anwer M Khan spoke on the subject of sacrifices in the service of God and His creation.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is currently established in 190 countries worldwide, with its US Headquarters in Silver Spring, Maryland. Baitul Hameed Mosque, located in Greater Southern California, off the CA-60 Freeway in Chino, San Bernardino County, serves the community of the Inland Empire areas. This Muslim Community promotes peace and harmony to all of mankind, with its motto "Love for All, Hatred for None."