By the grace of Allahmiya, the USA National Waqifat-e-Nau Summer Camp was held this year at Masjid Masroor in Manassas, VA, hosted by South Virginia Jama’at. The Camp was held simultaneously to but in a distinct location from the boys’ USA National Waqf-e-Nau Summer Camp from June 18-22. Waqifat 12-23 years old were invited to attend, and Waqifat older than 23 years and mothers were invited to assist the Summer Camp Team by volunteering.
The focus of the Camp was to encourage Waqifat to enhance their nearness to Allahmiya by following the Holy Prophet’s saws example, build a relationship with Huzoor aba, reflect on they may serve the Jama’at, and develop friendships with one another. Classes, taught by waqifat older than 23 years of age, non-waqifeen Lajna, and mothers of waqifeen, were structured to be taught to three different age groups: waqifat 12-14 years old, 15-18 years old, and 19-23 years old. While core topics, such as salat, the Holy Quran, the meaning of being a waqf-e-nau, purdah, and marriage, were discussed with all age groups, the topics of Nizam-e-Jama’at, rededication, and Wasiyyat were discussed with the older two age groups. During the Camp, the older two age groups were encouraged to rededicate, complete the reading of The Will by the Promised Messiah as, and perform Wasiyyat. Alhamdolillah, 17 waqifat expressed interest in doing Wasiyyat, two waqifat of which performed Wasiyyat and 15 of which made the intention of doing Wasiyyat and completing the process after discussing with their guardians (parents or husbands). Other Camp topics included foundational principles of Ahmadiyyat, Establishing a Connection with Allahmiya, Cleanliness, and Avoiding Materialism.
The breakdown of Camp attendees is as follows: 69 waqifat between the ages of 12-23 years, 5 waqifat older than 23 years, 4 mothers of waqifat, 3 Lajna serving the USA Lajna National Amila, and 50+ volunteers.
The Camp commenced on Sunday, June 18 at 6:00 p.m. with on-site check-in. Upon arrival, each waqifa received gifts. Camp attendees were directed to place luggage & bedding in the Prayer Area, where they were accommodated for the duration of the Camp. Dinner & dessert were served, after which waqifat gathered to attend the live Know Your History webinar, chaired by Mirza Maghfoor Ahmad Sahib, serving as USA Jama’at Ameer. Congregational Maghrib & Isha were led by the men’s side, which was followed by the Camp’s Opening Session.
The Opening Session began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, Chapter 3, verses 32-33. Sister Atiya Malik, serving as USA Lajna National Muavina Sadr Waqifat-e-Nau, issued welcome remarks and introduced the Camp Nazimas, Sisters Naira Munir and Nudrat Qureshi. Camp Nazimas then shared an overview of Camp rules, infrastructure, and schedule. The Session closed with dua. Waqifat were given time to shower and prepare for bed, prior to lights being turned off at 10:30 p.m.
Monday, June 19 began with individual Tahajjud at 3:45 a.m. Congregational Fajr & Dars were led by the men’s side at 4:15 a.m. Afterward, waqifat had time to return to sleep or shower. All girls were assembled by 8:00 a.m. A few announcements and reminders were issued, and then the waqifat enjoyed breakfast. Classes were then held for approximately 3 hours. This was followed by lunch and dessert. Waqifat then attended a one-hour general Question and Answer Session with Murabbi Syed Adil Ahmad Sahib. This was followed by congregational Zuhr. Afterward, waqifat attended another class and then collectively listened to a live presentation on Serving Humanity as a Scientist, by Dr. Shanaz Butt Sahiba. A snack was served, and then waqifat engaged in a stamping activity involving paint, carving utensils, and a bar of soap. Congregational Asr was held, after which waqifat played table tennis, badminton, volleyball, soccer, and basketball for slightly longer than 1 hour. Dinner was served, and this was followed by a bonfire, during which waqifat made s’mores and discussed social media, peer pressure, and emotional well-being. Congregational Maghrib and Isha were performed, and waqifat had time to shower and prepare for bed, prior to lights being turned off at 10:30 p.m.
The schedule for Tuesday, June 20 was similar to that of the prior day. An engaging presentation on Serving MTA was given by Sister Khafia Choudhary. During handicrafts, waqifat engaged in a button and hemming activity. A bonfire was held again after dinner, during which Islamic ways of having fun and healthy eating and living were discussed.
On Wednesday, June 21, waqifat departed from Masjid Masroor at 6:30 a.m. for a field trip to Washington, DC via buses. Prior to being seated on the buses, waqifat received a prepackaged breakfast, prepared by the diligent Ziafat Team. Waqifat visited the following landmark structures in DC: White House, Lincoln Memorial, Library of Congress, and US Capitol Building (guided tour took place). The experience at these structures was enhanced through a detailed overview given by Sister Maliha Luqman, wife of Murabbi Yahya Luqman Sahib. During the field trip, a prepackaged snack, prepared by the hardworking Ziafat Team, was served. Lastly, Masjid Fazl was visited where waqifat offered congregational Zuhr and Asr, were informed about the Masjid’s history, and enjoyed lunch with dessert. Waqifat had an opportunity to sign the Guest Book at Masjid Fazl and were blessed to receive gifts from Murabbi Yahya Luqman Sahib.
Waqifat returned to Masjid Masroor around 5:00 p.m. and competed in groups in a fruit trifle-building competition. Then dinner was served, along with the delicious fruit trifles that waqifat had prepared for dessert! Next, waqifat handwrote letters to Huzoor aba. This was followed by congregational Maghrib and Isha. During the free time waqifat had to shower and prepare for sleeping, a separate meeting was held for those waqifat who expressed interest in doing Wasiyyat. Those selected waqifat were guided on how to complete the Wasiyyat application form via a Zoom session by Murabbi Farhad Rana Sahib. By the grace of Allahmiya, two waqifat completed the Wasiyyat process in its entirety that evening.
On Thursday, June 22, the morning routine was similar to Monday and Tuesday of the Camp. In their last class, waqifat provided written impressions of the Camp. This was followed by lunch, congregational Zuhr and Asr, and the Closing Session.
The Closing Session began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, Chapter 3, verses 32-33. A video was then shown, compiled by Sister Nadia Khan, who officially took footage throughout the Camp within the confines of purdah. Camp Nazimas, Sisters Naira Munir and Nudrat Qureshi, then read out several written impressions by waqifat. The Camp Nazimas offered their own remarks and impressions of the Camp. Each Camp participant, teacher, and volunteer was then recognized, during which each individual received gifts. Next, Sister Bushra Choudry, serving as Lajna Sadr South Virginia, delivered remarks, followed by Sister Sahar Choudhary, serving as Lajna National Muavina Sadr Project Coordinator and as Lajna Regional Sadr Central South. Final remarks were issued by Sister Atiya Malik, serving as USA Lajna National Muavina Sadr Waqifat-e-Nau, and the session closed with dua at approximately 3:30 p.m.
