Shahzad Malik, Ireland Correspondent
The Northern Ireland region of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya organised a coffee morning with Royal Air Force Cadets (RAF) from Omagh to raise funds for RAF Omagh.
The event took place on 18 January 2020 at the Royal Airforce training camp building in Omagh, St Lucia Barracks, Northern Ireland. People started gathering outside the camp and then were escorted to the building with the Royal Airforce cadets.
A welcome address was delivered by Dr Nauman Iftikhar Sahib, President Northern Ireland region, and Flying Officer Royal Airforce Cadets Omagh, Graham Dodds thanked the guests for gathering for this noble and charitable cause.
The chief guest of the event was Mr Jim Shannon, Member of Parliament for Strangford. Mr Shannon greatly commended works of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Northern Ireland, in terms of blood donation drives and community events which have proven to be a source of bringing the communities together. He also applauded the work of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in promoting peace.
The next speech was made by Cllr Diana Armstrong, Vice Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council. Cllr Armstrong greatly admired the charitable work done by the Jamaat in Omagh and emphasised on the importance of holding such event as means of building bridges and better understanding.
Ibrahim Ahmad Noonan Sahib, Missionary in-charge Ireland, addressing the event spoke about the importance of such events to enhance religious tolerance and informed the audience about the work carried out by the Jamaat in promoting peace, highlighting the motto “Love for all hatred for none”.
Ibrahim Sahib further talked about Hazrat Amirul Momineen’saa role as a man of peace. A presentation was delivered by Dr Nauman Iftikhar Sahib, President Northern Ireland about the peaceful message of Islam Ahmadiyyat and its charitable activity.
Another presentation was given by Deputy Flying Officer royal Airforce Cadets about the history of the RAF, its activities countrywide, in general and in Omagh and Fermanagh regions. People from all walks of life attended the event.
Non-Ahmadi Irish and British guests were 60 and 7 Jamaat members were also in attendance.