BradfordToday welcomes letters to the editor at [email protected] or via the website. Please include your full name, daytime phone number and address (for verification of authorship, not publication). This letter was sent in response to Bradford council's decision to nix plans to host a massive Muslim conference.
In April 2017, a little girl, just three years old, moved to Bradford with her family, not knowing that this town would soon become the centre of her world.
As she grew, Bradford became her playground and her home. She ran freely in the soccer fields at Henderson Park, spent joyful summer afternoons at the splash pad in Dream Field Park, and made memories at the community centre that would last a lifetime. This library became her sanctuary for stories and imagination, and her school was where she forged friendships and learned about the world.
Bradford gave her everything she needed, and one of her family's most cherished traditions was attending the Ahmadiyya Annual Convention, the Jalsa Salana. Unlike last year, every year her family would drive for hours to attend, bringing their hopes and prayers to a gathering that celebrated peace, unity, and the values they held so dear.
When she learned that this beloved convention will take place in her own Bradford, it felt like a dream come true. No longer would her family have to travel far to attend Jalsa Salana; the event could be part of the town she already adored.
Now turning 11 years old, her love for Bradford has only deepened. One evening, sitting on the porch with her father, she turned to him and said, “I don’t ever want to leave this place, Daddy. Bradford has given me everything I could ever wish for.”
Her father smiled, knowing how much the city meant to her. For Areesha, it wasn’t just about parks or schools — it was about the sense of belonging Bradford had given her. And the idea of the Jalsa Salana happening here every year made her love for this place even stronger. Bradford had given her a home, a community, and now the chance to have the most important event in her life right in her backyard.
This story of Areesha, my daughter, mirrors the deep bond between the Ahmadiyya Muslim community and Bradford. At a recent council meeting, the community presented a heartfelt request to continue hosting their Jalsa Salana in Bradford. The convention, known for fostering peace, unity, and understanding, brings together people from all walks of life, echoing Bradford’s spirit of inclusivity and warmth.
The local Ahmadiyya community has made significant contributions to the town over the years, from organizing the Run for Bradford and blood drives, to highway clean-ups and supporting food banks, shelter homes, and schools. Hosting the Jalsa Salana isn’t just a matter of tradition; it’s a way to further strengthen Bradford’s cultural and economic ties.
With proper planning and collaboration, the community assures the council that any concerns could be addressed, ensuring the event continues to benefit Bradford.
But for Areesha, it’s not just about the practicalities. For her, keeping the Jalsa Salana in Bradford means keeping her heart firmly rooted in the city she loves. She doesn’t want to leave; Bradford has given her everything she could ever hope for — and now, with the possibility of the Jalsa Salana happening here every year, it feels like the final piece of her dream has fallen into place. Like so many others in our community, she dreams of seeing this event become a lasting part of the city she loves so much.
Basharat Ahmed
Bradford
