The Pan-African Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (PAAMA) USA

To unite, empower and inspire the African Ahmadiyya Muslim Diaspora to serve Islam, Society and Africa

“I believe that if the African countries and people unite together and fulfill the requirements of justice, then one day,

Africa will emerge as a true global power.”

- His Holiness, Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V

The Pan-African Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (PAAMA) USA was initiated by His Holiness Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V atba, the Supreme Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. It was launched on Friday, July 14, 2017, at the 69th Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. It is a subsidiary association within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. PAAMA’s membership is comprised of Ahmadi Muslims of African descent and includes, but is not limited to: Africans, African-Americans, Afro-Caribbeans

To unite, empower and inspire the African Ahmadiyya Muslim Diaspora to serve Islam, Society and Africaand North African Arabs living in the United States. The mission of PAAMA is ‘to unite, empower and inspire the African Ahmadiyya Muslim Diaspora to serve Islam, Society and Africa’. The central objective of the Association is that of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community itself, to serve, reactivate and help bring society to the pristine teachings of Allah Almighty, as taught by the Holy Founder of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad saw. This can be accomplished by focusing on the reformation brought about by the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadianas, as we aim to free ourselves from irreligion and the bondage of materialism.

AIMS & OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the Association is to unite and reactivate Ahmadi Muslims whose ethnic identity represents the African Diaspora. With hundreds of such Ahmadis spanning the United States, PAAMA aims to engage its members in spiritual, social, and service activities that unify and support the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and its mission. We seek to develop a mixture of religious and secular activities for the moral and spiritual upbringing of our youth. PAAMA provides a platform for its members to grow and develop in the

spiritual, moral and social realms, thereby becoming successful members of the Community and society, and to cultivate qualities such as piety, righteousness, honesty, service and justice. Externally, PAAMA stands with and supports other organizations that share similar values and visions. PAAMA’s spirit of service to humanity and commitment to justice and equity is guided by the motto of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’.

To unite, empower and inspire the African Ahmadiyya Muslim Diaspora to serve Islam, Society and Africa

69th Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention), USA, 2017

LEADERSHIP

PAAMA USA is led by a National President, three Vice Presidents and a National Executive, as well as Regional Presidents and their Executives. The National Head of Lajna and her three Deputies are under the leadership of the National President. PAAMA is privileged to be under the direct supervision and guidance of the Supreme Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community - His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V atba, who takes a keen interest in its affairs. The inaugural National President of PAAMA USA is Imam Abdullah Dibba.

Imam Abdullah Dibba, President PAAMA USA

His Holiness, Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (left)

Tommy Kallon, President, PAAMA UK

69th Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention), USA, 2017

Iman Azhar Hanif, Abdullah Dibba (President, PAAMA USA), Tommy Kallon (President, PAAMA UK)

PAAMA members at the launching of PAAMA USA

ACTIVITIES

The activities of PAAMA are not limited to its members or to Muslims. Its arms are open to all members of society, regardless of their faith or creed. The Association engages in a variety of family, social and spiritual initiatives as well as charitable activities in the United States, Africa and the Caribbean. Honoring the African origin of its members, PAAMA aims at giving back to the motherland by serving the wider Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the continent of Africa and its people, and society as a whole, through educational, health and social services.

INTERFAITH ENGAGEMENT

PAAMA believes in cultivating peace and harmony among different religions through interfaith engagement. The Association aims to promote understanding and cooperation by working with religious and spiritual groups to build bridges, share the beauties of different faiths and create an environment of mutual love, respect and collaboration. Members of PAAMA are devoted to upholding the true face of Islam by serving as a catalyst for bringing about interfaith partnership and peace, for the purpose of illuminating our similarities instead of our differences.

Youth and community service activities

Interfaith dialogue, events and activities

The founder of Islam, the Holy Prophet Muhammad saw foretold that in the latter days the teachings of Islam would be corrupted and many Muslims would deviate from the right path. He further prophesied that at such a time God Almighty would send a person as

the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi to revive and restore the true original teachings of Islam. Ahmadi Muslims believe this prophecy was fulfilled in the person of

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas.

Founded in 1889, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is now established in 210 countries and has tens of millions of members worldwide. Throughout the world, Ahmadi Muslims have become renowned for their commitment to peace, their law-abiding nature and determination to create a harmonious society for all people, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity or faith. For the past 100 years, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has had an organized presence in the majority of African countries and in

the United States of America. Hazrat Ahmad’s mission was to unite mankind with his Creator and unite the whole of mankind under the banner of peace as practiced by Prophet Muhammad saw. He warned the Muslim world that their interpretation of jihad had become corrupted and that true Islam held principles of freedom of religion, universal human rights and nondiscrimination at all levels. He taught that a true Muslim must hold sympathy for all mankind. Hazrat Ahmadas passed away in 1908, but his mission has continued to flourish under the leadership of his spiritual successors/Khalifas. The worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is currently led by its fifth Khalifa, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad. He continues to guide and encourage members of the Community, not only towards moral reformation and spiritual enlightenment, but also towards the highest standards of secular achievement. He champions the message of peace and carries it throughout the world in his endless endeavor to unite us all. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is actively involved in providing services to many developing countries in the world. Notably in Africa, it has established scores of

ABOUT THE AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY

Love for All, Hatred for None

schools that are open to all; has built hospitals and health centers; and has launched many social projects in the most deprived areas.

“The Motto: Love For All Hatred For None is particularly recommended for all mankind in these very trying times.” - John Agyekum Kufor,

former President of the Republic of Ghana

Jalsa Salana, Ghana

“We are heartened by the fact that the Ahmadiyya Mission has been paying heed to this primary injunction by opening and maintaining schools all over the country. In fact, in many places in our land, Ahmadiyya is a byword for school, education and learning.”- His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone

Email: info@paama.usWebsite: www.paama.us Twitter: @PAAMA_USA

Instagram: @PAAMA_USA Facebook: @PAAMAUSA