By A. Abdul Aziz.

Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community inaugurates Maryam Mosque

According to Ahmadiyya Press Department, U.K., the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad inaugurated the Maryam Mosque (Mosque of Mary) in Galway, Ireland on Friday, September 26, 2014. It is the first Mosque built by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the country.
His Holiness arrived at the premises at 1pm and after unveiling a commemorative plaque he proceeded to deliver his weekly Friday Sermon. The sermon was broadcast live around the world on MTA International.

In his sermon, His Holiness made it clear that the new Mosque would, in keeping with all Ahmadi Mosques, be a symbol of peace and a means of bringing people together.

His Holiness said that in today’s world, Islam had been much maligned and defamed due to the hateful acts of so-called Muslims in certain parts of the world. He said that in reality all forms of terrorism and extremism were entirely opposed to Islam’s true teachings and to be condemned.

He said that the Maryam Mosque would never be a place of violence or injustice; rather it would be a means of fostering peace, tolerance and a respect for mankind.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
Our Mosques are a place from which we proclaim the need for peace, reconciliation and tolerance and from where we condemn all forms of violence and extremism.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:
Every Ahmadi Muslim knows that it is his or her duty to protect all religions and to show love and loyalty to the country in which they reside. These are the true teachings of the Quran.”

His Holiness said that having now built its first Mosque many more people would come to know of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Ireland and that all peaceful people would be welcome in the Mosque.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that the Mosque had been named after Mary, mother of Jesus, who is greatly revered by Islam for her piety. His Holiness said that Ahmadi Muslims should seek to follow her noble and righteous example.
Following his sermon, His Holiness led the Friday prayers from the new Mosque before being interviewed by both The Irish Times and RTE.

On the evening of 26th September 2014, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered the keynote address at a special reception held to mark the inauguration of the Maryam Mosque (Mosque of Mary) in Galway, Ireland.

More than 90 non-Ahmadi dignitaries and guests, including Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, TD, Deputy Joanna Tuffy, TD and Councillor Donal Lyons, the Mayor of Galway, attended the evening reception.

During his keynote address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad spoke in detail about the true purposes of a Mosque; he condemned all forms of terrorism and extremism and spoke about why the Mosque had been named after Mary, mother of Jesus.

Addressing the concerns of non-Muslims about Islam, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

I say without any hesitation, that there are many so-called Muslims who are perpetrating the very greatest evils in the name of Islam. However, I should also make it clear that such reprehensible conduct by Muslim groups or governments do not in any shape or form reflect Islam’s true teachings.”

 His Holiness said that in reality the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was sent as a ‘mercy for mankind’ whose every fibre was filled with love and compassion”.

Referring to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

Could it ever be alleged, or even contemplated, that a person who was so desperate to save mankind could ever teach cruelty or injustice? Certainly never… Most certainly the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) invited the world towards peace in the most magnificent fashion.”

 Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

The Islam that I follow and believe in, is neither cruel nor vengeful and nor does it advocate any form of violence, oppression or injustice. And nor was the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent to spread cruelty or hatred. Rather, he was sent only as a fountain of mercy, flowing with everlasting and universal compassion for mankind.”

Speaking about the advent of the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

I, and all Ahmadi Muslims, believe the Founder of our Community, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, to be the Promised Messiah and Guided One, sent to spread Islam’s true teachings of peace and compassion to every part of the world.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

The Promised Messiah came to enlighten the world about the true beauty of Islam. He came to do a Jihad against every single form of cruelty, oppression and all forms of compulsion. He came to teach mankind the need to fulfil each other’s due rights. He came to spread love and compassion and to transform the world into a haven of peace, unity and mutual brotherhood. This was his mission and this was his message.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

And so today it is this very message that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is spreading to every corner and every region of the world… All of our Mosques are centres of peace and harmony, where those who seek to unite mankind through love, join together to promote mutual harmony, to worship, and to pray for the peace, safety and well-being of all of mankind.”

His Holiness concluded by explaining why the new Mosque had been named the ‘Mosque of Mary’. He said that Mary, mother of Jesus, was extremely revered by Islam.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

Mary’s elevated status is reflected by the fact that the Quran says that true Muslims should develop the qualities of Mary and if they do so then they will be those who never cause harm or suffering to anyone. Every Ahmadi Muslim therefore seeks to instil within themselves the purity, nobility and piety of Mary herself.”

Earlier in the evening a range of dignitaries also addressed the audience.

Garry O’Halloran, a Human Rights Barrister, said:

I met His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad at the European Parliament a couple of years ago. I was awestruck by his historic address that day. I have borne witness to the fact that His Holiness is waging a Jihad of Love.”

Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív, TD, Member of Ireland’s National Parliament, said:

It is a great honour for all of us in Galway that His Holiness (Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad) is visiting the city again and I congratulate you on the opening of the Maryam Mosque.”

Deputy Joanna Tuffy, TD, Member of Ireland’s National Parliament said:

I have always found Ahmadi Muslims to positively contribute to the local society. In particular, I have been extremely impressed by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Ladies Auxiliary organisation and the work that they do.”

Father Martin Whelan, representing the Bishop of Galway, said:

The Catholic community welcomes this new Mosque as a place where the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community can worship God in freedom and in peace.”

Thomas Curley, Chief Superintendent of the Galway Garda (Police) Division said:

I would like to welcome His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad to Galway. We are very honoured to have such a revered man in our city. We are delighted that you have chosen Galway for your first Mosque in Ireland.”

 Councillor Donal Lyons, Mayor of Galway City Council said:

This is indeed a very historic moment in Galway’s history as the city’s first Mosque is being inaugurated and it is a symbol of peace.”

The event concluded with a silent prayer led by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad and later His Holiness personally met with the non-Ahmadi guests individually.

Earlier on 24 September 2014, , His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad visited the National Parliament of Ireland, the ‘Oireachtas’ at Leinster House in Dublin.

Upon arrival, His Holiness was received by the Captain of the Guard in Parliament, Comdt. John Flaherty. Thereafter, His Holiness was received by Sean Barrett, TD, Ceann Comhairle of the Parliament (Speaker) in his official office.

During a 30-minute meeting, the Speaker welcomed His Holiness to Ireland and spoke of his admiration of the peaceful message and positive contribution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to Ireland. They also discussed the current world situation and various other matters.

Upon hearing that the Speaker had visited Africa on a number of occasions, whilst serving as Minister of Defence, His Holiness recounted his own experiences of living in Africa during the 1970s and 1980s.

Thereafter, His Holiness was escorted to a meeting with more than 20 Irish Parliamentarians including both TDs and Senators.

During the meeting, the Parliamentarians welcomed Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad to Ireland and congratulated him on the forthcoming opening of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s Maryam Mosque in Galway.

Further, His Holiness answered various questions from the Parliamentarians through which he was able to explain Islam’s true teachings to them. His Holiness said that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believed its Founder, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad to be the Promised Messiah.

His Holiness explained that due to fact that Ahmadi Muslims believe their Community’s Founder to be the Promised Messiah, they are heavily persecuted and discriminated against in Pakistan and to a lesser extent in certain other countries.

During the meeting, His Holiness spoke about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s commitment to peace and serving humanity.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

Our Community is engaged in humanitarian work and relief projects throughout the world. Despite the fact that we are persecuted and maltreated in certain Muslim countries, we continue to serve and help those countries to the very best of our abilities.”

In response to a question about why so-called ‘Muslims’ are perpetrating terrorist activities, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

We do not believe in the violent Jihad that is being portrayed by terrorists and militants. We do not believe in the Jihad of terrorism or extremism. Such hateful activities are to be absolutely condemned. 

Rather, we believe only in the Jihad of self-reformation and improvement; we believe in the Jihad of peacefully preaching the Islam’s true teachings and we believe in the Jihad of preaching peace itself.”

 Following his meeting with the Parliamentarians, His Holiness was escorted to the galleries of both the Lower and Upper Houses of Parliament where he observed the Parliamentary proceedings.

In the Lower House, His Holiness observed Leaders Questions.