Britain’s oldest established Muslim organisation, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, will host its Jalsa Salana convention this weekend at a farm in East Worldham near Alton.

Normally, the largest annual gathering of Muslims in the UK attracts 35,000 people to Hadeeqatul Mahdi, known locally as Oakland Farm, over the three days, which this year takes place from August 5 to 7.

But this year the faith gathering has been restricted to primarily UK delegates only, because of the ongoing pandemic.

It will be led by the world head of the Ahmadiyya Muslims, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, who is the Caliph (spiritual leader) of the community, and the proceedings will be televised globally via satellite.

The convention will touch on a range of topics from the principles of justice in international affairs to advice and guidance on and harmony in the home.

His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, said: “For peace in our time, we must act with justice. We must act with respect and fairness. We must love for others what we love for ourselves. We must uphold the rights of others with the same zeal and determination that one has for their loved ones. We should always look beyond narrow self-interests and work for the greater good.”

An estimated 30,000 men and women will flock to the three-day convention.

Drivers planning to use the B3004 Alton to Kingsley road and the adjoining A325 and A31 over the weekend are advised to avoid Jalsa Salana rush hours. Tomorrow (Friday) the busy periods will be from 9am to 2pm and from 6pm to 10pm, and on Saturday and Sunday the peak periods are 8am to 1pm and 6pm to 10pm.