KHALIFA OF ISLAM MAKES HISTORIC ADDRESS AT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT-Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad calls for peace through unity
Posted on December 8th, 2012
By A. Abdul Aziz, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” Sri Lanka.
According to our Press Department, U.K., on 4 December 2012, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at and Fifth Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered an historic keynote address at the European Parliament in Brussels to a packed audience of more than 350 guests representing 30 countries.
The event was hosted by the newly launched ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”European Parliament Friends of Ahmadiyya Muslims GroupƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢, whose Chair and Vice-Chairs all took to the stage to welcome Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad. Martin Schulz MEP and President of the European Parliament also came to meet with His Holiness.
During his thirty-five minute address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad called on the European Union to preserve its unity; addressed the issue of increased immigration to Western countries; advocated for equality in international relations and spoke at length about IslamƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s key teachings in relation to developing world peace.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that in the modern world many people viewed Islam as a religion that promoted violence and extremism and blamed it for many of the conflicts taking place in various parts of the world. He said that such allegations were particularly unjust given that ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-the very meanings of the world Islam are ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”peaceƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ and ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”securityƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
The Khalifa spoke about widespread concerns over increasing levels of immigration to Western countries.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ In a detailed analysis, His Holiness said the issue was leading to the spread of ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”restlessness and anxietyƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢. His Holiness blamed both the immigrants and the indigenous people for the state of conflict, whereby many immigrants provoked locals by refusing to integrate, whilst certain segments of the local society were intolerant to outsiders. He said the consequences of such division were far reaching and so he called on all parties to work together to resolve the issues.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Governments need to make policies that establish and protect mutual respect, through which hurting the sentiments of others or causing them any type of harm should be outlawed. With regard the immigrants, they must enter with a willingness to integrate with the local people, whilst the locals should be ready to open their hearts and display tolerance.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
About the European Union, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ The formation of the European Union has been a great achievement on the part of the European countries, for it has been a means of uniting this Continent. And so you should make all possible efforts to preserve this unityƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ Remember that the strength of Europe lies in it remaining united and together as one. Such unity will not only benefit you here in Europe but at a global level will be the means for this Continent to maintain its strength and influence.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
The Khalifa spoke of the need not just for co-operation within Europe, but called for global unity. His Holiness said:
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Speaking from an Islamic perspective, we should strive for the entire world to unite together. In terms of currency the world should be united. In terms of business and trade the world should be united. And in terms of freedom of movement and immigration, cohesive and practical policies should be developed, so that the world can become united.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
The Khalifa said that in the modern world countries could no longer afford to remain isolated and even global powers like the United States were dependent on international trade and foreign relations. He said developed countries ought not to exploit weaker nations but should seek to help them develop and succeed.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad also spoke about conflicts in the Arab World and Middle East. He said that whilst the Western world had openly expressed ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”outrage and concernƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ at the situations in Syria and Libya, they did not seem as concerned about the plight of the Palestinian people.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-This perceived double standard is causing grievances and malice to increase in the hearts of people from Muslim countries against the major powers of the world. This anger and animosity is extremely dangerous and could boil over and explode at any timeƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚¦ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Let it be clear that I am not speaking in support or favour of any particular individual country. What I wish to say is that all forms of cruelty, wherever they exist, must be eradicated and stopped, regardless of whether they are perpetrated by the people of Palestine, the people of Israel or the people of any other country.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
The Khalifa also criticised the principle of veto power within international institutions. He said that the voting history of the permanent members of the United Nations Security Council showed that on certain occasions veto powers had been misused to assist cruelty, rather than to prevent it.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad concluded by calling for justice and equality. He said:
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-Always remember that peace can only be established by helping both the oppressed and the oppressor in a manner that is completely impartial, free from vested interests and devoid of all enmity. Peace is made by giving all parties an equal platform and playing field.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚
Before the keynote address a number of MEPs took to the stage and spoke of their admiration of peaceful Islam as advocated by the Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at.
Dr Charles Tannock MEP, Chair of the European Parliament Friends of Ahmadiyya Muslims Group, said ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”Ahmadi Muslims are a welcome example of tolerance in the world.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ He condemned the persecution of Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan and said ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”the Ahmadi motto of Love for All, Hatred for None is a welcome antidote to the extremist JihadistsƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢.
Tunne Kelam MEP, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament Friends of Ahmadiyya Muslims Group, said he was attending the event because it was an opportunity to ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”join in an aspiration for peaceƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢. He praised the Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at for ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”rejecting all violence and terrorismƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ and pledged to support the Jamaat globally.
Baroness Sarah Ludford MEP, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament Friends of Ahmadiyya Muslims Group, spoke of her long term relationship with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in the United Kingdom. She said that the JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢atƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s motto was ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”an inspiration which we desperately need in the modern world.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Claude Moraes MEP, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament Friends of Ahmadiyya Muslims Group, said the event had ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”attracted a bigger turnout than we get to any meetings at the European ParliamentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢.
Jean Lambert MEP, Chair of European ParliamentƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s South Asia Delegation, said that she would pursue with the Pakistani Government the issue of Ahmadi Muslim voting rights. She said it was necessary that all parties had the right to vote freely and without discrimination.
The President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at in the United Kingdom, Rafiq Hayat, also took to the stage to express his pleasure that the ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”¹…”European Parliament Friends of Ahmadiyya Muslims GroupƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ had been launched.
The historic event concluded with a silent prayer led by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.
His Holiness also answered questions from a range of media outlets during a forty-minute Press Conference in the Press Room of the European Parliament.
The Press Conference took place prior to the Khalifa addressing the European Parliament. A number of global media organisations including from the UK, Spain, France, Belgium, Pakistan and other countries attended.
In response to a question from the BBC about IslamƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s role in the world, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad explained that IslamƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s core message was of peace.
His Holiness said:
ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ…-IslamƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s message of peace is universal, which is why our motto is Love for All, Hatred for None.ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ”š‚
ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ Responding to a question from a representative of the Spanish media, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that all of the major religions in their original form taught a message of peace and so true Muslims believed in all of the Prophets. Each Prophet he said brought a message the message that there is One God.
In response to a question from a representative of MaltaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s media, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that the duty of Ahmadi Muslims was to bring mankind closer to God and to make the people of the world aware of their duty to safeguard each otherƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s rights.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that in an effort to promote inter-faith harmony he had recently sent a hand-delivered letter to Pope Benedict saying that people of different faiths should look at the common factors that unite them, rather than focusing only on differences.
On 3rd and 4th December 2012, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim JamaƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢at and Fifth Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad held a series of meetings at the European Parliament with political leaders and dignitaries from across Europe.ƒÆ’-¡ƒ”š‚ During each meeting, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad conveyed IslamƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢s teachings of peace, mutual respect and tolerance.
His HolinessƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢-¾‚¢ address at the event ƒÆ’‚¢ƒ¢-¡‚¬ƒ¢¢”š¬…” the link of which is:-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgxiXILtpBE&feature=youtu.be
ENDS.
December 8th, 2012 at 10:08 pm
We hope the Ahmadis will accept Prophet Mohammed (Peace and blessing be upon him) as the last and final Messenger and Prophet of Allah. Ameen
December 9th, 2012 at 7:39 am
This is not a matter of hope. Is it possible you to prove your stand based on the verses of Holy Qur’an. Ahmadi believes Prophet can come even after Holy Prophet of Islam – as subordinate prophet – a prophet fully being an absolute follower of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be on him. Prophethood is God’s blessing. Man cannot stop this Nihmath. Sending prophets by Allah is from His Rahman attribute. Whenever needs arise Allah sends rains. Man cannot stop rain with his umbrella. Similarly Messengers are sent by Allah whenever needs arise.
December 9th, 2012 at 2:53 pm
Issues of integration aside, Muslims and many non-white immigrants from third world countries face widespread racism, harassment, violence and discrimination in the West, particularly in Europe – the very countries that are preaching about human rights to Sri Lanka. The mass media (sometimes known as the “white media”) downplays and even covers up the extent of these problems. The West should get their house in order by enforcing law and order impartially, reporting race issues impartially and helping migrants to properly integrate and be productive members of society.
December 10th, 2012 at 1:45 am
Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) instructed his followers to hold on to the Noble Quran and his Sunnah. I am sure the Ahmadis know that during the lifetime of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) he stopped Mussallama Al Keththab from claiming as a Prophet. This is a Aqeeda issue and has serious consequences to the validity to be Muslims. May Allah guide us and let Him be the Judge. Salaams.
December 10th, 2012 at 7:10 pm
It is amazed why a Messenger can’t come as a complete follower of Prophet Mohammad, whereas, there are people who claim as followers of Prophet Mohammad – in which many are liars, robbers, terrorists etc. If a Prophet comes as a follower of Mohammad, the credit goes to Prophet of Islam. Mullahs, don’t try to shut the door of this God-given gift, you will not succeed.
December 11th, 2012 at 4:47 am
Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) shut the door to all future prophets. All followers of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) sunnah are Muslims. Once again May Allah guide us and let Him be the Judge. Salaams.
December 17th, 2012 at 7:21 pm
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) has himself given the news of the coming of a prophet and Messiah near the 14th century Hijri when his Ummah will be very divided, weak, infested with internal strife, under attack from adverseries, and devoid of guidance and blessing.
Most Muslims I have talked to, whether Ahmadi or non-Ahmadi agree this time has come. My hope is that most Muslims stop living in storybooks about Messiah and Mahdi and learn from the example of Jews who rejected their Messiah just like the Muslims are doing– even though Prophet Muhammad specifically warned us that this will happen (my Ummah will come to resemble the Jews like a shoe on one foot resemles the other shoe). They had same prophecies which they misinterpreted as literal descent from Heaven and prophet Elija(as) coming down in chariots of fire–there will be peace in the world and a child will play with a snake and a lamb and a lion will lay together in friendship.
Go look up the reasons why the Jews rejected their Messiah. The Quran itself is witness that Isa of Bani Isareal is a messenger of Allah, and all messengers before him have died (so shall he). All before prophet Muhammad(saw) have died. This is a moment of trial for the Muslims. Disabuse yourselves of your egos and prejudices. Beg forgiveness. Ask for knowledge and guidance wholeheartedly admitting that we have none before our Lord.
And ask for the guidance, vowing to follow it no matter what comes. And beg Allah(swt) to release it to you in His mercy. And if you receive it, don’t turn you back on it.