Did you know that one of the longest established immigrant Muslim communities in the United States are the Ahmadiyya Muslims?

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community set itself up in the 1920's through the missionary work of Mufti Muhammad Sadiq. After initially being detained for months by immigration, because he was a Muslim, he was finally released in April of 1920 when he agreed not to preach polygamy. By the end of May, he had already found a location for his headquarters on Madison Avenue, in Manhattan, and had converted 12 followers. Six non-Ahmadi Muslims, and six Christians; including the conversion of Dr. George Baker, and Ahmad Anderson, two of the first white Muslim converts in the United States. Since then, the Ahmadiyya Community has established itself all over the country and now have tens of thousands of members in the United States.

From the Ahmadiyya Muslim Communty's American website, the following description is given of who the Community is and what they represent:

AMC is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long-awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as (1835-1908) of Qadian. Ahmad^as claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus^as of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad^sa. AMC believes that God sent Ahmad^as, like Jesus^as, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s^as advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival. He divested Islam of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings. He also recognized the noble teachings of the great religious founders and saints, including Zoroaster^as, Abraham^as, Moses^as, Jesus^as, Krishna^as, Buddha^as, Confucius^as, Lao Tzu and Guru Nanak, and explained how such teachings converged into the one true Islam.

AMC is the leading Islamic organization to categorically reject terrorism in any form. Over a century ago, Ahmad^as emphatically declared that an aggressive “jihad by the sword” has no place in Islam. In its place, he taught his followers to wage a bloodless, intellectual “jihad of the pen” to defend Islam.…

...Similarly, AMC is the only Islamic organization to endorse a separation of mosque and state. Over a century ago, Ahmad^as taught his followers to protect the sanctity of both religion and government by becoming righteous souls as well as loyal citizens. 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, AMC continues to be an advocate for universal human rights and protections for religious and other minorities. It champions the empowerment and education of women. Its members are among the most law-abiding, educated, and engaged Muslims in the world.

So every year, the Ahmadiyya Muslims gather in one location to commemorate the teachings of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad through an annual event called Jalsa Salana (which literally means 'Annual Gathering”).

The event lasts for three days, starting on Friday and ending on Sunday, and includes speeches given on topics in Islam, as well as on application of Islamic principles to modern life. Poetry is also recited, and local guest speakers tend to show up and express appreciation for the community; though the guest speakers are almost always local politicians.

Bookstalls, kiosks, and food stalls are all available.

Non-Ahmadi's are also encouraged to come, but must register for security reasons.

So this year, from June 19^th to 21^st , the Ahmadiyya Muslims will be holding their 61^st annual Jalsa Salana in Chantilly, Virginia. Between 5,000 to 7,000 are expected to attend.

More information can be found the American Ahmadiyya Communities website.

References

Turner, Richard Brent. Islam in the African-American Experience: Second Edition. Indiana University Press. 2003.