•Urges dialogue between nations

By Haroon L Balogun

The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered the keynote address at the 14th National Peace Symposium hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK.

The event which was held at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in London with an audience of more than 1,000 people, from 30 countries, including over 600 non-Ahmadi guests comprising Government Ministers, Ambassadors of State, Members of both Houses of Parliament and other dignitaries also saw the presentation of  ‘Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Peace’ to Ms. Setsuko Thurlow, Hiroshima bomb survivor and peace activist, in recognition of her outstanding efforts in campaigning for nuclear disarmament.

In his address, His Holiness condemned last week’s terrorist attack in London as a “barbaric atrocity” and labelled all forms of extremism and terrorism as a complete violation of Islamic teachings.

•Hazrat Masroor Mirza Ahmad

Victims of the barbaric atrocity

Further, His Holiness expressed his grief at continued warfare in the Muslim world, as well as voicing his fears about increasing tensions in the rest of the world. His Holiness also called on world powers to curb the sale of weapons and arms.

Speaking on last Wednesday’s attack in Westminster, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: “First of all, I would like to extend my deepest condolences to all those affected by Wednesday’s terror attack at Westminster. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of London at this tragic time. On behalf of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, I wish to make it categorically clear that we condemn all such acts of terrorism and we offer our heartfelt sympathies to the victims of this barbaric atrocity.”

He lamented that it was a cause of great regret that extremist Muslim groups had turned certain Mosques and Madrassas into “centres of extremism”, which had fuelled fear and misconceptions about Islam amongst non-Muslims. He noted that an inherent part of the worship of God was to serve mankind and to live peacefully with the people of all faiths and beliefs. Based on these Islamic teachings, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community had established humanitarian projects in various parts of the world, each serving mankind and bringing relief to those in need.

“No matter what terrorists may claim, under no circumstances are indiscriminate attacks or killings ever justified. Islam has enshrined the sanctity of human life in chapter 5, verse 33 of the Holy Quran, which states: ‘Whosoever killed a person – it shall be as if he killed all mankind; and whoso gave life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind”

“Islam is that religion which has forever enshrined the universal principles of freedom of religion, freedom of conscience and freedom of belief. Therefore, if today there are so-called Muslim groups or sects that are killing people, it can only be condemned in the strongest possible terms. Their barbaric acts are a complete violation of everything that Islam stands for.”

Reacting to issues of foreign policy and individuals or groups from amongst non-Muslims who are “fanning the flames of division and hostility” His Holiness advised world leaders to speak withwisdom and integrity at all times. “Regrettably, we often hear politicians and leaders making needlessly inflammatory statements that are beholden not to the truth, but to their own political interests.

He rejected the allegation by certain prominent figures that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) massacred those who did not accept Islam. He said that the Founder of Islam (s.a.w) only fought as a last resort in order to defend Islam and to establish the principle of universal freedom of belief.

Speaking about one of the causes of extremism, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that a number of reports suggested that some Muslim youths had been radicalised as they felt their religious beliefs had been mocked and ridiculed in the Western world.

“Thus, the Quran has taught us how to build a peaceful multicultural society, where people of all faiths and beliefs are able to live side by side. The key ingredients are mutual respect and tolerance.”