Ahsan Ahmedi
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya UK
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Sussex rekindled the light they lit in Brighton after many years by holding a Pathway to Peace Interfaith Event at the Jubilee library in Brighton, a stone’s throw away from where Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIra visited and offered prayers at the Royal Pavilion in 1924.
The event was held on Saturday, 2 February 2019.
Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib, Imam of the London Mosque in Putney, London’s first mosque, said “Islam has very close links with Christianity” and outlined that “the great praise and great qualities of Jesusas and his mother Maryas are mentioned in the many verses of the Holy Quran. Chapter 19 in fact is named after Maryas and makes mention of the immaculate birth of Jesusas and his great qualities as a prophet of high repute who had to endure great hardship and persecution.”
He also pointed out that the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, compared himself to Jesusas and claimed to be “the Messiah and Mahdi awaited by all faiths”.
He said “For true peace to prevail in our society, there must be no animosity between religions and people. Islam is the only religion which requires its adherents to accept all the prophets sent to all the faiths prior to Muhammadsa.”
He further added, “Muhammadsa was confronted by many opponents and underwent great persecution, but he always opened the door of peace and forgiveness despite having to fight battles when the opponents raised armies against him.”
Following a very interesting question and answer session, Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib answered questions, and in his concluding remarks as chair, Ahsan Ahmedi, Regional President of the Jamaat in Sussex thanked the guests who attended, which included representation from Sussex Police.
The meeting ended with silent prayer and refreshments for guests.