Muslim leader blames violence on greed

The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph) - His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, has rejected the notion that religion is the cause of violence or warfare in the world; and described all forms of terrorism and extremism as completely against the teachings of Islam.

Speaking at the 49th Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the United Kingdom, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad rejected the notion that religion was the cause of violence or warfare.

He said that amongst those who claimed Islam to be a religion of violence were people who continued to justify the deployment of nuclear weapons against Japan during the Second World War and those who had supported the failed military interventions in Libya in 2011 and Iraq in 2003 in which hundreds of thousands of innocent lives had been lost.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: “Many people in the developed world consider religion to be the primary cause of world disorder, however this is due to a misunderstanding of religion itself. The disorder and injustice we see around the world is not as a result of religion, rather it is being perpetrated by self-interest and greed. It is a result of people misusing the name of God to fulfil their vested interests, and it is also a result of the denial of the very existence of God.”

Speaking about the desperate state of much of the world, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: “Today we are clearly seeing the fulfilment of the prophecy of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) in which he said a time would come when the Muslim clerics would not spread anything but ignorance, injustice and disorder and their words would be at complete odds with their deeds.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that anti-Islamic powers were taking advantage of the widespread conflict within the Muslim world and were fanning the flames of fear and mistrust of Islam. He said: “We see that the opponents of Islam are leveling false allegations against Islam as a matter of routine.

They are declaring Islam to be a religion of disorder and extremism whereas others are portrayed as the flag bearers of world peace and harmony.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued: “On the one hand we see that certain leaders or commentators say that Islam is not a violent religion, yet on the other hand they are also claiming that there is a link between Islam and extremism. Their remarks are contradictory and an attempt to placate all sides. Thus let me make it clear that no other teaching promotes peace and tolerance to the extent that Islam has championed.” Later in his address, His Holiness said that Islam teaches one to favour others and to prioritise their rights over one’s own rights. However, the major powers rarely sought to favour those who were vulnerable and any help or aid they gave was generally contingent on the fulfilment of certain conditions or criteria.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that before objecting to Islamic teachings, those opposed to Islam should look to their own examples. He said that those who had dropped atomic bombs on Japan continued to feel no sorrow or shame. They continued to claim that the use of nuclear weapons at Hiroshima and Nagasaki were acts of bravery and honour, even though hundreds of thousands of innocent men, women and children were killed and generation and after generation had suffered the ill effects of those devastating attacks.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad recounted how recently an academic he met had stated that religion should evolve and adapt to suit the modern age and the latest cultural trends. He asserted that: “Religion is there to lead and guide humanity, not to follow people’s worldly desires. And so we believe in that book (the Holy Quran) which has been preserved for more than 1400 years and whose teaching is in every way perfect and complete. It is a teaching for the people of every age and every land!”

He prayed for world peace and for mankind to exhibit a spirit of true compassion and love for one other. Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: “May Allah implant the sympathy and compassion that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) had for humankind in all of our hearts.”

The event was attended by over 35,000 people including Ahmadi Muslims, non-Ahmadi and non-Muslim guests with 96 countries represented at its 210-acre Hadeeqatul Mahdi in Hampshire. It was also attended by government functionaries, parliamentarians, faith and civic leaders; and featured the raising of the Union Jack alongside the community’s flag.

One of the highlights of the 3-day Jalsa Salana was the pledge of allegiance, known as the Bai’at, where the participants pledged allegiance to Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad as the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph) of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him). The participants formed a human chain leading to the Khalifa as they repeated the words of the pledge in unison.

They also pledged to follow Islam purely as a religion of peace and to counter all forms of extremism and intolerance. They thanked Britain for providing freedom of faith and for treating its citizens with equity and justice.

Ahmadi Muslims – one of the oldest Muslim groups in Britain, accept Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, a 19th century spiritual reformer from India, as the Messiah awaited by all major religions. The Community, now established in some 200 countries, is at the vanguard of the revival of true Islam.

The Convention marks over 100 years of the Ahmadiyya community in Britain telling the story of a community in exile - persecuted in lands where extremists hold sway.

Despite severe persecution abroad - Ahmadiyya Muslims are flourishing in Britain and many other parts of the world, so the annual convention was also an opportunity for thanksgiving for the freedom of faith that they have been allowed.

Rafiq Hayat, President Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK, said: “We have much to be grateful for in Britain which has allowed over 100 years for our community to prosper and contribute to British life. We count ourselves proud to call ourselves British and Ahmadi Muslims.

“Despite persecution, the abiding message of our community is Love for All, Hatred for None. The efforts of extremists have not dented our message of peace, which prevails in through our actions and we continue to counter hatred, terror and prejudice with strength of faith and purpose. When we say Islam means peace - we practice it by example in our everyday lives and through our contribution to the well being of the nation.

“As the world rallies against the onslaught of extremists, the example of our community demonstrates that peace will always find a way to triumph over adversity.”

Ahmadi Muslims are active in their communities; they raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities each year and have their own charity Humanity First that is serving humanity locally as well as in all parts of the world irrespective of colour, race or religion.

Ahmadi Muslims say they are the pioneers of inter-faith dialogue. In 2003, they opened the largest purpose built mosque in Western Europe in Morden Surrey, which can accommodate more than 13,000 people. The community also built the first mosque in London in 1924.