Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
in the Eyes of Contempory World Leaders.
(March 23rd – Founder’s Day of world-wide
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Islam)
AHMADIYYA MUSLIM JAMA’AT
- SRI LANKA 619/4, Baseline Road, Colombo 9, Sri Lanka
In the year 1889 in a small, dusty Indian town in Punjab, some 90 miles
from Lahore, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, accepted a covenant of allegiance from
his first followers. That first initiation ceremony took place in Ludhiana
(Punjab) on March 23rd, 1889, as commanded by God. By taking the Bai’at
or the oath of allegiance, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad laid the foundation of
this Jama’at. To mark this event, Ahmadi Muslims throughout the
world are celebrating the 23rd of March as the “Promised Messiah
Day” (Founder’s Day).It was an event that was destined to
change the course of history.
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835 – 1908) under Divine command,
declared that he was the Promised Messiah and Mahdi and that his advent
was in fulfillment of various prophesies of major religions regarding
the Promised Reformer of the later days. After his demise in 1908, this
Jamaath has been blessed by the institution of Khlafat (Caliphate).
The Khalifas (Caliphs) so far have been Hazrat Moulavi Nooruddin (1908
– 1914), Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Nahamood Ahmad (1914 – 1965),
Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad (1965 – 1982) and Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad
(1982 – 2003) and the community is now led by the fifth Caliph
(Khalifa), Hazrat Mirza Masror Ahmad since 2003.
Some Muslim groups oppose the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community; but many
fair-minded persons have observed the Community, its morality and service
to mankind and have spoken highly about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
and its work for the benefit of mankind, as well as its amazing motto
of peace: “Love for all and hatred for none.” The Ahmadiyya
Muslim Community strongly believes that love and compassions are the
important ingredients for peaceful existence of a multi-ethnic, multi-religious
society. In the international dimension, the Community is established
in 190 countries and claims to have around 220 million followers.
Traditionally many friends and well-wishers of all faiths and various
walks of life come to visit during the Annual Conventions being held
in various parts of the world to understand and experience True Islam
in practice. They include Academics, School Teachers, Students, Local
Councilors, Mayors and Members of Parliament etc. There were Buddhists,
Sikhs, Hindus, Christians, Catholics, Protestants and Quakers among
others, as well as those who believed in no religion at all. The few
messages and the speeches delivered in such convention held in U.K.
in 2005 have been mentioned here for the benefit of the readers.
In her message to the Ahmadiyya Annual Convention held in U.K. in
2005, the former President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumarathunga said:
“Islam is a religion which professes love and brotherhood amongst
various sections of people in order to promote peace and harmony. Therefore,
it is heartening to note that Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in U.K. is
working to achieve this goal”
President of the Republic of Ghana, in his message to the same Convention
said: “Your Congress is being held at a time when your motto: ‘Love
for all; Hatred for none’ is of great significance to the entire
world given the space of violence and conflicts spread all over the
world.”
The Ahmadiyya Community has established for itself, worldwide, a reputation
of peaceful coexistence in the more than one hundred and eighty countries
where its members are to be found. Its many social projects aimed at
helping those in need bears testimony to the Ahmadiyya’s humanitarian
concerns in respect of all human beings, regardless of religion. This
is very much in keeping with its motto: ‘Love for all; Hatred for
none’. At this juncture in International relations, when many questions
have risen concerning the doctrines of Islam, which some interpret as
endorsing violence and terrorism, it is important that the spirit of
tolerance, good-will and true brotherhood, as demonstrated by the Ahmadiyya
Muslim Community, secure a place of prominence in the international
context, says the President of Republic of Trinidad George Maxwell Richards,
in his message to the above Convention.
Hon. Stephen Hammond M.P for Wimbledon, in his speech at the convention
said, the message of Ahmadiyya Community is loyalty to one’s nation
and one’s country, the rejection of physical holy wars, that terrorism
and violent acts of any kind against any one are to be rejected and
that your community adhere to the Quranic teachings which declare that
there is no compulsion in religion and is captured by your community
slogan ‘Love for all; Hatred for none’. Your message was clear
sighted, it was visionary and it was one to which we can all hold and
agree. You are a community that does wonderful charitable works throughout
the world.
Hon. Lars Rise MP, Member of Norwegian Parliament in his address to
the Convention said, I am happy that your community do not believe in
Jihad by sword, guns and bombs. You believe that jihad is peaceful preaching
and an internal struggle for purification of hearts. I fully appreciate
your services in the field of humanity.
Prof. Elizabeth Howlett, a member of the London Assembly, in her speech
at the convention said, I have enormous admiration and respect for the
work that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is doing throughout the world-not
just by words but by an example of a way of life. An example of impeccable
conduct and an example of undeniable faith in God Almighty and an example
of peace and tolerance.
Tariq Chaudhry, a well-known member of the Pakistani Community in England,
in his address said, I speak today as a brother and a Muslim. Let me
say that even though I do not subscribe to the Ahmadiyya doctrine of
Islam but I have never let such differences of opinion change my views
on these wonderful Muslims. They are the people of faith and people
of vision. “Humanity First’ (A charity organization of the
Ahmadiyya Community) is the theme synonymous with the Ahmadiyya Jamaath
and their excellent charitable efforts are proof enough of their achievements.
The brothers and sisters involved in this charity are not talking the
talk, they are walking the talk. On days like today, when we are all
together and united, we truly feel the goodness of man. I am proud to
be associated with such positive thinking and proactive concepts. You,
my brothers and sisters, you make me proud to be a Muslim. You are setting
new benchmarks and standards for the code of conduct for humanity and
integrity within ourselves and the community at large. Your motto is
“Love for all; Hatred for none”. It is so simple and pure.
How can we go wrong as Muslims, if we adhere to such a simple ideology?
Some of you I know and others I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting,
but let me say that those I do know, my being here today is a testimony
of my opinion that you exemplify what it is to be a Muslim in these
modern times. For me anyone who says “There is no God but Allah
and Muhammad is His Messenger” is as much of a Muslim than myself
or any other Muslim for that matter. Ultimately I believe that no human
being may decide who is a Muslim and who is not. For, the truth exists
deep within our hearts where Allah’s gaze may penetrate only.
Dr. Prem Sharma, Founder patron of Conservative Parliamentary Friends
of India and an active Human Rights campaigner, in his address at the
Convention, said, the Ahmadiyya Community in particular has always spoken
out for peace and harmony amongst all people. The Ahmadiyya doctrine,
which has brotherhood, peace and tolerance as its core pillars, provides
a clear and shining path for us all to follow, whatever our creed or
color.
A. Abdul Aziz.
Press Secretary,
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamath,
Sri Lanka.
Mobile: +94 777753440
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