Ahmadiyya elders call for reflection, prayer over year-end festivities

Dar es Salaam. As the festive season approaches, elders from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Tanzania have called on society to prioritise prayer and devotion over extravagant celebrations that risk offending God.

They made the call on Saturday, December 7, 2024, during the 33rd Ijtima’a, a three-day conference running between December 6 and 8, under the theme: “Surely, prayer prevents indecency and evil.”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association in Tanzania Chairman, Dr Swaleh Pazi, underscored the need for communities to use the end of the year to express gratitude to God for His Blessings.

“December is often seen as the end of life’s cycle, with people planning fresh starts in the New Year. However, life continues, and it’s important to reflect and thank God for granting good health, peace, and security throughout the year,” he said.

He further encouraged society to replace large-scale festivities with moments of reflection, repentance, and prayer.

“As we approach the new year, we must evaluate ourselves and set meaningful goals—goals that are God-centred and aimed at improving our lives, especially as we prepare for the significant year of 2025, which will feature the General Election,” he added.

The elders' association's secretary-general, Hamidii Kaigwa, outlined the main objectives of the annual meeting, including fostering dialogue, promoting peace, and holding Quran reciting competitions.

Mr Kaigwa explained that the theme of prayer was chosen to help bring society closer to God and to address challenges such as corruption and immorality.

“Prayer fosters a God-fearing community. When you pray, you instill reverence for God, which ultimately leads to peace in the country and the world,” he said.

He emphasised that delegates would return to their communities with positive perspectives and teach their families and neighbours the values of peace and godliness.

“These members will encourage others to abandon wrongdoings and work towards spreading messages of peace,” Mr Kaigwa added.

A member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association, Mr Mahmood Hamsin, highlighted the broader purpose of the conference, which aims to bring elders together to discuss current affairs and societal challenges.

“Prayer is not just about worshipping God—it’s also about serving others. If you don’t value your neighbour, your prayers will lack blessings,” said Mr Hamsin.

The conference concluded with a variety of activities for elders, such as tug-of-war, football games, and competitions in Quran recitation and memorization.