62nd Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA

Silver Spring, MD, July 20, 2010 --(PR.com)-- 6,130 American Muslims Gathered for Spiritual Rejuvenation

The 62nd annual convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA at the Dulles Expo and Conference Center in Chantilly, Virginia, ended today. More than 6,000 delegates from all over the United States attended the three-day event.

The convention commenced with a flag-hoisting ceremony, followed by Friday prayers. Speeches on Friday afternoon covered divine forgiveness, integration and individualism, and how to handle trials and adversity.

On Saturday morning, men and women hosted concurrent sessions. Speeches covered topics such as religious freedom in America and its parallels to Islam, Islam beyond culture and ethnicity and the importance of righteousness in a Muslim's life.

Concurrent sessions continued on Saturday afternoon. Dr. Shanaz Butt, the National President of the women's auxiliary, delivered the ladies' keynote address on the importance of reforming one's self in order to defend Islam.

The theme of the men's afternoon session was Islam and loyalty to one's homeland. National Missionary-in-Charge Naseem Mahdi delivered the keynote address. Many national and local legislators were present, in addition to several international dignitaries. Also in attendance were law enforcement officials and community leaders.

The convention concluded with a morning session on Sunday. National Missionary-in-Charge Naseem Mahdi spoke about how the community should respond to the May 28 attacks on two Ahmadiyya mosques in Lahore, Pakistan. He asked members of the community to persevere and leave the case of the perpetrators with God.

The final speaker was Dr. Ahsanullah Zafar, the National President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. He summarized the themes of the convention and exhorted the importance of prayers. The 62nd annual convention concluded with prayers.

About the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans over 190 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is the first American-Muslim organization.

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. 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 reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Islam of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is also the only Islamic organization to endorse a separation of mosque and state. More than a century ago, Ahmad taught his followers to protect the sanctity of both religion and government by staying loyal to one’s homeland. He cautioned against irrational interpretations of Quranic pronouncements and misapplications of Islamic law. He continually voiced his concerns over protecting the rights of God’s creatures. Today, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues to be an advocate for universal human rights. It champions the empowerment and education of women. Its members are among the most law-abiding, educated, and engaged Muslims in the world.

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