Muslim leader urges defeat of terrorism at all cost

Faith

By Dare Lasisi.

World Muslim Leader and the Khalifatul Masih V of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community - His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad has described the ISIS terrorists threatening global peace as a bunch of deranged fanatics that will never attain long lasting success and who must be defeated at all cost to show that Islam represents peace, equality and justice.

The Caliph urged political leaders to exert their influence on the Muslim world to stop Islamic militant groups from spreading their message of hate.

Address a gathering of over 1000 people at the 11th National Peace Symposium with the theme - 'Khilafat, Peace and Justice,' held at Western Europe's largest mosque - Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden, Surrey; His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad condemned the activities of ISIS and other extremist groups as “entirely un-Islamic”.

He stated they do not reflect the true “peaceful values of Islam”. He also spoke about the rising number of Muslim youth being globally recruited by ISIS for their “utterly horrific and barbaric” cause.

Khalifatul Masih V strongly condemned the radical Islamic clerics  preaching hatred which inspires and brainwashes several British Muslims youths to join the civil war in Syria and Iraq and said they must be closely monitored and cautioned.

"It is so disheartening that majority of the British young Muslims fighting in Syria are from the United Kingdom. Islam stands for peace and security of human race. ISIS is a threat to the human race. Their goals are not spiritual but for personal and worldly gains to cause destruction and spread hatred. Although many of these youths are well-educated but they are also frustrated about life due to high unemployment rate and the only option that appears attractive to them is to join the terrorist organisations. We have about 2 to 3 million Muslims in the whole of UK but over 30,000 are Ahmadiyya members. None of our members are involved in any act of terrorism. Ahmadiyya Muslim community has been championing the message of peace across the world for over 100 years. "

His Holiness said: “The actions of this terrorist group are not only impacting Muslim countries, but also countries in Europe and further afield are being affected by its brutalities. We see a disturbing number of Muslim Youth from Europe and other parts of the world who have somehow come to believe that ISIS represents a true picture of Islam and support their ideology. For these reasons they have resolved to help and even fight for them.

“For any peaceful Muslim who understands his faith this is a cause of great sorrow and despair.”

During his address His Holiness questioned how such extremist groups were being funded and appealed to the world for peace through justice:

“To simply lay the blame at the feet of Islam or particular groups will not save us from warfare or free us from our responsibilities. Thus all peaceful people should pressurise their governments, and certainly all figures of influence should reflect on this and seek to develop peace in the world by promoting true justice in their respective spheres of influence, by taking firm action to prevent the destruction of world peace completely.”

Rt Hon Justine Greening MP Secretary of State for International Development in commending the Community’s global charitable efforts, said: “A big thank you for all of the work that you do not just for our local communities but communities all over the world I know how much difference it makes.”

Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for Communities said: “The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is my Community – it is my home and this is my place of worship.”

Siobhan Mc Donaugh MP for Morden and Mitcham spoke about the communities support for the British Legion through their poppy appeal and various other community projects. She said: “It is a community that has always promoted peace and harmony in the world.”

Rt Hon Edward Davey MP Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change said: “It is important that we are coming together under your leadership your Holiness tonight to be a politics of unity, of people coming together, to talk together to work together, to pray together for a world of unity.”

Rafiq Hayat, National President Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK said: “His Holiness has provided a compelling analysis of how the actions of ISIS are totally contrary to Islam. The life of the Holy Prophet of Islam and everything he stood for is in stark contrast to what ISIS practices.

“His Holiness made it abundantly clear that a concerted effort needs to be made by all parties to stop the supply lines of ISIS so that its network of terror ends swiftly.

He noted that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of the United Kingdom are so proud to support and stand with British troops  fighting against the terrorists dragging the name of Islam in the mud and concluded that Ahmadiyya Muslims youths were the first set of British Muslims youths that volunteered to sell poppies on the streets of Britain in memory of fallen soldiers.

“As we remember the fallen of the First World War we hope that this message of peace reaches the world so that their sacrifices are not in vain.”

Mr.Abdul Qadir Abdul Rafi, National President Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Nigeria who travelled all the way from Lagos Nigeria to represent the organisation as a delegate, in a chat with Trumpet Newspaper Correspondent said he was so impressed with the organisation of the international conference in London which is a unique platform to exchange ideas on how to achieve a global peace and harmony in our polarised world. He condemned Boko Haram terrorists in his native country Nigeria and ISIS members as not the true face of Islam.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Peace of 2013 was awarded by His Holiness during the Symposium to the charity Mary’s Meals that provides hundreds of thousands of meals and education to children across the developing world. The award comprises of a trophy, a certificate and a cheque for £10,000.

Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, the Christian Founder and CEO of Mary’s Meals said: “I am deeply honoured and moved to receive this award and thank His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad for this honour.”

The event attracted the attendance of Ahmadiyya delegates from several countries, two Secretaries of State, a number of Parliamentarians, Diplomats, and the Archbishop of Southwark with a message from the Vatican.