By Haroon Balogun

The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad has said that a global strategy is required to stop extremism.

He categorically condemned the activities of the group under the auspices of the Islamic state of Syria and Iraq , ISIS , and other extremists groups as “entirely un-Islamic” and said they were “viciously spreading a network of terror” in the world.

Delivering a keynote address at the 11th National Peace Symposium hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, UK, Hazrat Masroor Ahmad quoted extensively from the Holy Quran to proved Islam as a religion of peace and tolerance, mutual respect and understanding at all levels of society.

He said: “Over the past year, one particular group has viciously spread its network of terror and has become a cause of major concern for the world. I am speaking of the group of extremists commonly known as ‘ISIS’ or ‘I.S.’ The actions of this terrorist group are not only impacting on Muslim countries, but also countries in Europe and further afield are also being affected by its brutalities.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said it was highly “disturbing” that hundreds of Muslim youths from all parts of the world were being attracted by ISIS and were going to Syria and Iraq to fight for them. His Holiness said: “the agenda and objectives of ISIS and their so-called Khalifa are utterly horrific and barbaric”.

ISIS, he stated, had a mission to “take over the world” which he classed as “wishful thinking”, adding that if ISIS was not “stopped in its tracks” it could cause great destruction in the world.

“It is never permissible, in any circumstance, to force another person to accept Islam or indeed any religio. People are free to believe or not to believe. And so when the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) was permitted only to convey the message of Islam and nothing further – how then can the so called Muslim leaders of today go beyond this and think they have more power, authority or rights than the Prophet of Islam?”

Questioning how extremist groups such as ISIS were funded and supported, the Ahmadiyya leader said:,”The funding of these groups is a major problem because it is through these funds that they are able to prey on vulnerable groups or individuals.

Thus something has to be done to stop the funding of these groups urgently. The West has now started to realise and acknowledge that this is a war that is actually directly affecting it as well. However, this too is under-estimation – the truth is that this is a war against the entire world.”

“Consider just how much suffering and ruin can be caused by an extremist group, which is a gathering of frustrated and restless people from all parts of the world who are ready to give their lives for this unjust cause.

“This is especially true given the fact that this group (ISIS) does not just have willing individuals but is also heavily armed with sophisticated weapons systems and artillery. Indeed, it is not out of the question that they could eventually lay their hands on nuclear weapons.”

The Khalifa went on to give a detailed account of Quranic teachings in relation to warfare, stating that wherever Muslims were given permission for a ‘defensive war’ it was given as a means to protect all religions and not just Islam. He also explained the unparalleled efforts made by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to spread peace throughout the world.

Calling everyone to the path of God Khalifa Masroor siad: “Most importantly the world must realise that it has forgotten its Creator and they must come back to Him. Only when this happens can true peace be established and without this there can be no guarantee of peace.

I have spoken many times previously about the horrific consequences of another global war and perhaps it will only be after such a war that the world will come to realise the destructive results of the unjust policies that were made only to satisfy personal ambitions and vested interests. I hope and pray that the world comes to its senses before such a disaster comes to pass.”

Dignitaries at the event espoused the importance of peace and the critical state of today’s world. In the words of Rt Hon Ed Davey, MP, Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change, Rt Hon Justine Greening, MP, Secretary of State for International Development, Most Reverend Kevin McDonald, Archbishop Emeritus of Southwark among others.

Most Reverend Kevin McDonald, Archbishop Emeritus of Southwark, who also read a special message from the Vatican, alluded the contributions of the Ahmadiyya community to peace.

“I strongly applaud the huge contribution being made by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in spreading peace in the world.

While stressing need for more global peace, Rafiq Hayat, the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK, referred to Remembrance Day commemorations and how the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community “honoured” British servicemen and women who had sacrificed their lives for the sake of their nation during the First World War.

The event held at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in London attracted more than 1000 people, including 550 non-Ahmadi guests comprising Government Ministers, Ambassadors of State, Members of both Houses of Parliament and various other dignitaries and guests. The theme of this year’s Peace Symposium was “Khilafat, Peace and Justice”.

The high point of the occasion was the presentation of a peace award to Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, Founder and CEO Mary’s Meals UK, in recognition of his outstanding efforts to provide food and education to hundreds of thousands of children in the developing world.