FHazrat Amirul Momineenaa, during a mulaqat held on 27 January 2019 in London with the executive body of Majlis Ansarullah Switzerland, instructed us to hold a peace symposium in Geneva.
On his return, the president of Majlis Ansarullah Switzerland began work on this and booked a hall in John Knox Centre, a beautiful place near the United Nations and other international organisations offices. Preparations started, which included setting the date and inviting various people for participation. Letters were written to Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa seeking his prayers.
With the grace of Allah and Huzoor’saa prayers, the symposium was very successful and more people participated than those who had confirmed their attendance. In total, 90 people attended of which 60 were guests representing different religions. The programme consisted of nine presentations, one message and two video clips. This programme continued for three hours.
Participants were highly educated and influential individuals. They included United Nations office bearers, local administration officials, professors, journalists, UNO Geneva Ambassador of African Union and 10 guests from the World Health Organisation. One participant from Benin was a country representative to the African Union for 12 years and was former minister for foreign affairs.
Participants represented all major religions including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism and others.
The programme started with recitation of the Holy Quran. President Majlis Ansarullah Switzerland then welcomed the participants and introduced Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya and it’s efforts for peace and serving humanity. After that, a video report describing Hazrat Amirul Momineen’saa various efforts for peace was shown. This had a very good effect on the participants. All the speakers condemned the menace of terrorism and the incidents taking place throughout the world, emphasising the need for peace. Guests praised the Ahmadi message of peace, “Love for all Hatred for none”. A Muslim Cleric who was previously associated with the main mosque in Geneva took special permission to speak for a few minutes. He spoke about Islam’s universal message of peace and appreciated the Jamaat’s efforts for peace.
At the end of the programme, Sir Dr Iftikhar Ayaz addressed the assembly. He highlighted eloquently the message of peace and its importance in light of Islamic teachings, referring extensively to the verses of the Holy Quran. He highlighted the efforts for peace being undertaken by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa. He gave examples from the humanitarian work being carried out by Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, its members and the auxiliary organisations. His speech was very much appreciated. After his speech, people gathered around him and congratulated him. The programme ended with silent prayer.
The representative of Geo TV, who was covering the proceedings, expressed his sincere feelings about the impact of the programme. He was surprised by the breadth of peace efforts being undertaken by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. He appreciated the speech by Dr Ayaz Sahib and remarked on the discrepancy about the propaganda against the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya by its enemies and the actions of Jamaat.
The programme was successful beyond our expectations only due to the blessings of Allah.
On this occasion, qaid tabligh of Majlis Ansarullah also organised an exhibition. In this exhibition, translation of the Holy Quran in many languages, posters depicting the message of peace and promotion of Human Rights in Islam, were exhibited.
All participants were presented with gift bags, which contained copies of The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam by the Promised Messiahas and World Crisis and The Pathway to Peace by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, a pen and a table watch with a logo of the Peace Symposium.
Many participants appreciated the event and commended and congratulated the Jamaat members on convening this important event. All guests were served dinner after the programme.
May Allah the Almighty bless us with His innumerable blessings and help people understand the importance of Islam’s message of peace and accept the truthfulness of the Promised Messiahas.
Earlier, Jamaat Malta participated in an Interfaith Dialogue Session, held under the auspices of His Excellency Dr George Vella, President of Malta on Wednesday, 8 May 2019 at San Anton Presidential Palace, Attard, Malta.
In his opening address, the president of Malta highlighted the importance of freedom of religion, cooperation and understanding. He further said that continuous interfaith dialogue based on mutual understanding and respect is a key for a harmonious coexistence.
Imam Laiq Ahmed Atif, President AMJ Malta congratulated His Excellency on his appointment as the tenth president of the Republic of Malta. He said that to promote interfaith dialogue and harmony, inter-religious cooperation based on the Quranic teaching that “help one another in righteousness and piety; but help not one another in sin and transgression” (Ch.5: V.3) was highly essential. Moreover, the Holy Quran invites other religions to unite on common grounds and to chalk a mutual programme for the benefit of mankind. It states:
“Say, ‘O People of the Book! Come to a word equal between us and you – that we worship none but Allah and that we associate no partner with Him, and that some of us take not others for Lords besides Allah’.” (3:65)
At the end of the session, the president of Malta was presented the Maltese translation of two books of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace and Justice in an Unjust World.