Khalifa of Islam opens a biggest Mosque in British Colombia
Posted on May 22nd, 2013

A. Abdul Aziz, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Sri LankaƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad addresses Reception marking opening of the Baitur Rahman Mosque in Vancouver

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ According to our Press Department, U.K., on 18 May 2013, the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and Fifth Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, addressed a Special Reception held to celebrate the opening of the one of the biggest Mosque – Baitur Rahman Mosque in Vancouver, Canada.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  During his address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad reassured the audience that they had no reason to fear Ahmadiyya Mosques because they were built only for the worship of God and for the sake of serving humanity.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Speaking about the new Mosque, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-I would like to proclaim and declare that this Mosque will prove to be a source of spreading love, affection, peace and brotherhood for all people irrespective of whether they are Ahmadi or non-Ahmadi or whether they are Muslim or non-Muslim. The doors of our Mosque will always be open to the people of all religions, because this Mosque is a means of manifesting GodƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Grace, Mercy, Love and Compassion for mankind.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The Khalifa also addressed the issue of Jihad by explaining that when permission for defensive war was given to the early Muslims, it was given as a means to protect all religions and all places of worship.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚  Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-In essence, it can be said that the first ever ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Charter for the Protection of Religion and Religious RightsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ is found in the Holy Quran and it has been associated directly to the Mosque. In other words, whenever a new Mosque is built, a new chapter for religious freedom is opened.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The world leader also used his address to congratulate the Canadian Government for recently opening an ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Office of Religious FreedomƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-In my view, the Government deserves praise and congratulations for opening a designated ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Office of Religious FreedomƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢. We fully support the Government of Canada in this endeavour. We will fully cooperate with them in every possible effort to establish religious freedom throughout the world.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Prior to the keynote address a range of politicians and dignitaries also took to the stageƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Associate Minister for Defence, read out a message on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper congratulating the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat on the opening of the new Mosque.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Dr Andrew Bennett, Ambassador of CanadaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Office of Religious Freedom said he was amazed ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-by the message of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and its commitment to Love for All, Hatred for None.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Lois Jackson, Mayor of the Corporation of Delta said the Mosque had become ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-an instant landmarkƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. She said it was ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-a great honour to have Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad in the city.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Mobina Jaffer, Senator from British Columbia read out a message from Justin Trudeau, leader of CanadaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s Liberal Party in which he called the Mosque ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-a welcome additionƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ to British Colombia and Canada at large.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Judy Sgro, Member of Parliament, said the fact that so many dignitaries were in attendance illustrated ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-the love and respect we all hold for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ She said the Ahmadiyya Community was ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-an example for the entire world.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Jinny Sims, Member of Parliament, said that if the Ahmadi motto of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Love for All, Hatred for NoneƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ was adopted by all ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-the world will be a better placeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Jim Karygiannis, Member of Parliament, said that the persecution faced by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-should not be forgotten.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ He said it was imperative that all parties worked together to ensure religious freedom for all people.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ 

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Rob Norris, Member of Legislative Assembly, said he was ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-humbled and honoured to take part in the celebration.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ He said that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-enriches our entire countryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Manmeet Bhullar, Member of Legislative Assembly, said meeting Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad marked a ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-profound momentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ in his life. In a message to the Ahmadiyya Community he said ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-we are with you, just as you are with us.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Marilyn Iafrate, Councillor City of Vaughan, said the local community was ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-very blessedƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ to have Ahmadi Muslims amongst them. She said the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat was ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-totally devoted to giving back to their community.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Ron Starr, Councillor City of Mississauga, announced that his Council had decided to recognise May 18 as ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Ahmadiyya DayƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚. He said that in Ahmadi Mosques there is ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-peace, hope and a recognition that by working together will make the world a better place.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Prior to the event, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, answered questions during a 30 minute press conference.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Amongst the media outlets included were ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”CBCƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”CTVƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢, ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Global TVƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ as well as ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”The ProvinceƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ and ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Vancouver SunƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ newspapers.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Located at 9750 River Rd., the mosque, which covers 33,000 square feet and has a 76-foot minaret, is to be a central point for prayers, meetings as well as social and religious interfaith gatherings. A gymnasium is also part of the complex. With an occupancy capacity of 1,100 people, the structure has a contemporary, modular design with clean, straight-edge lines aimed complementing the surrounding scenery. As informed by Ahmadiyya Khalifa during his Friday Sermon of 17th May, there is an ample parking lot that can accommodate 140 cars. There is also a multi-purpose hall in which 1,050 people can offer prayers – so altogether more than 2,000 people can offer prayers in the mosque. There is also a library, a tabligh/outreach center, a kitchen, a funeral home service area, four classrooms, number of offices, a boardroom, a missionaryƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s residence, and a guest house. They have done some very beautiful calligraphy on the mosque. The total cost of the project, including some extra costs that became necessary, stands at C$8.5 million. The announcement of this mosqueƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s construction was made in 1997 by the Fourth Khalifa of Ahmadiyya Community and he also named it at that time as Masjid Baitur Rahman.

ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The proceedings of the event ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” the link of which is as below:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTf7DkJKl1Q

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