MAY 25, 2023
The women’s auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Lajna Imaillah’s Kerala chapter, organised State Ijtema (annual gathering) on 13 and 14 May 2023 at E K Nayanar Academy in Kannur. Lajna Imaillah, established in 1922 in Qadian, Punjab, is celebrating its centenary worldwide. The organisation was established in Kerala in 1945 and has been actively functioning in the state for 77 years. The Ijtema was decided to be held in Kannur, where the organisation originated in Kerala.
The two-day program began on the morning of May 13 with the hoisting of the Lajna flag by the National President of Lajna Imaillah India, Bushra Pasha Sahiba. The inaugural session then took place, where Bushra Pasha Sahiba formally inaugurated the Ijtema with her inspiring address. The session was chaired by Siddeeqa Saeed Sahiba, District Lajna President Kozhikode.
This was followed by a public conference presided over by Bushra Pasha Sahiba. Kerala’s Minister for Higher Education, Dr R Bindu, inaugurated the session. She said it was the need of the era to enlighten society with the light of knowledge for which women should acquire higher education. Dr Bindu added that she was much impressed by the event, which was organised and attended by women and said it was her first attendance in a program where no men were present. This proves, she added, Lajna Imaillah can hugely contribute to the upliftment of women.
Other speakers at the session were Kerala’s former Health Minister, K K Shailaja, Kannur District Panchayat President P P Divya, Kannur Corporation Deputy Mayor Ms Sabina, former District Panchayat President Prof. Sarala, Kerala Mahila Congress President Adv. Bindu Krishna, RDO Ms. Mercy, police sub-inspector Leelamma Philip, and journalist Suprabha S Nair. The program also included a speech on women education in Islam by Famila Muzaffar Sahiba.
The second day saw a counselling class led by Dr Amathunnaseer Sahiba of Pazhayangadi Majlis (chapter) for girls attaining the age of marriage and their mothers. The session was chaired by Rehna Kamal Sahiba, Lajna President for Thrissur and Palakkad districts.
This was followed by another session presided over by District Lajna Sadr Malappuram Shakeela Shareef Sahiba. Shareena Rafeeq Sahiba of Karunagapally Majlis spoke on ‘The Status of Ahmadi Women and their Responsibilities’.
Yet another seminar was organised on the topic of atheism where members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women Students’ Association (AMWSA) Thooba Basheer Sahiba, Sabeeha Shams Sahiba, Shamaila Sosan Sahiba, Saliha Saleem Sahiba, Faiza Sahiba and Safiyya Sahiba shed light on the different aspects of the subject. The session was moderated by Rizwana Anas Sahiba.
The two-day Ijtema also included various academic competitions. Prizes were distributed among the winners during the concluding session. Apart from an attendance of over 2500 Lajna members from all parts of Kerala, the event was also attended by many non-Ahmadi and non-Muslim women from different walks of life.
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