Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa addresses the inaugural reception of Mubarak mosque
Wiesbaden, Germany, Monday, 14 October: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, presided over the inaugural ceremony of Mubarak Mosque, Wiesbaden, Germany.
Following the arrival of Hazrat Amirul
Momineenaa, the session started with the recitation of the Holy
Quran (chapter 2, verses 128 to 130) by Danial Daud Sahib. This was followed by
the German translation of the verses by Nosheerwan Khan Sahib.
Abdullah Wagishauser, National Amir
Germany then gave an introduction to the city of Wiesbaden and the Jamaat. Amir
sahib explained that more than 1000 Ahmadi Muslims live in Wiesbaden and since
2002, the Jamaat was having to pray in a room that was allocated by the council
for worship. Amir Sahib explained how the City of Wiesbaden and Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya
have had a long friendship, joining hands in many humanitarian projects.
The Jamaat was facing great difficulty
in establishing a mosque in Wiesbaden as no location could be found, however
through the grace of Allah the Jamaat has been able to establish Mubarak mosque
in the heart of Wiesbaden. Huzooraa laid its foundation in 2014.
Next, Mr Christoph Manjura, Commissioner
for Integration, Education Social welfare of Wiesbaden City expressed his
memories of the foundation stone of Mubarak Mosque when Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa
attended. Mr Manjura detailed the various efforts of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya in
Wiesbaden and spoke on the need for religious and cultural diversity and
integration. He also expressed his pleasure on how the Mubarak Mosque project
was completed without any serious opposition from the wider public.
Mr Frank Thilo Becher, Member of the
Provincial Parliament of Hessen then addressed the congregation. He started off
by congratulating the Jamaat for the new mosque. He said that the new mosque
will be a place where we will be able to have religious dialogue. Mr Becher
commended the manner in which the Jamaat constructs mosques and how they are
very open. He commended the partnership the Jamaat has with the province of
Hessen in teaching Islamic studies at schools. Mr Becher prayed for peace and
blessings for the whole Jamaat.
Next, Mr Gert-Uwe Mende,
Oberburgermeister Lord Mayor spoke. He started by praising the mosque and its
aesthetics. The Lord Mayor stated that it is a tradition to welcome the mosque
with prayers of blessings. Mr Gert-Uwe Mende expressed how he was honoured to
welcome the new mosque and desired the mosque to be a place where the populace
of Wiesbaden can congregate, meet and have dialogue. The Mayor said that the
Jamaat has played a great role in removing the fears people have with mosques
and Islam in general. He commented on how easily all issues in the construction
of the mosque were resolved and how smooth the process had been. He also prayed
that the Jamaat is given good neighbours.
Thereafter, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, addressed the congregation. After reciting Tashahud and Ta‘awuz, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa greeted the guests with the message of peace. Huzooraa expressed his pleasure in seeing the residents of Wiesbaden as very open minded and welcoming people who attended such a purely religious function of the Jamaat.
Huzooraa stated that sometimes people develop apprehensions regarding mosques. However, the true and sole purpose of a mosque is the worship of Allah. Some people, in the west and non-Muslim world, deliberate that mosques might harbour extremism. But the Holy Quran portrays the purpose of a mosque for the worship of the One God. And this worship should also fulfil the rights of humanity as well. For this reason, the Holy Quran has clearly declared that those who do not uphold the rights of humanity and do not serve the poor, their worship results in disgrace.
Muslims
have been taught to pray for the peace of the whole world.
The
Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, said that if one wants to introduce Islam,
then there is no better way than building mosques. One would only introduce
something if good qualities are presented. Therefore, a true Muslim’s mosque
will show to the world that the worshippers are those who respect humanity at
large.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that as there are more than 1000 Ahmadi Muslims in Wiesbaden, all residents of Wiesbaden are their neighbours and Islam has instructed Muslims to greatly uphold the rights of their neighbours.
Referring to the springs of Wiesbaden, Huzooraa mentioned how around 80% of remote areas in Africa do not have access to water supplies. As a result, children walk miles on end throughout the day, to fetch water inadvertently compromising their education. The Jamaat installs water pumps in such areas and that this service is carried out without discrimination.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that “it is the special trait of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya that wherever we stay, we will carry out humanitarian works”. The local Jamaat in Wiesbaden will also continue to carry out humanitarian services, Huzooraa reassured the audience.
Huzooraa explained that Islam was not a religion of violence and that Allah allowed Muslims to defend themselves and for protecting religion as a whole.
The Holy Prophet’ssa reaction to prisoners of war was such that those prisoners who taught other Muslims to read or write, would be freed. The Prophetsa of Islam did this so that education could spread and the ignorance of people diminish.
Huzooraa explained that the Holy Prophetsa was part of a committee to serve the poor even before he claimed prophethood.
“Integration can be displayed when the sentiments of other’s is also taken care of,” Huzooraa explained. Once a funeral of a Jewish child passed by the Holy Prophetsa and his companionsra. The Holy Prophetsa immediately stood up in respect of the funeral. To this his companions said that the funeral was of a Jewish child. In reply, the Holy Prophetsa said that he had stood to respect human values.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa explained that integration for local Ahmadis is “to apply all abilities to serve for the betterment of the city; through education and service of the nation. This is why the Jamaat encourages students to excel in science and education and serve their country better.
Huzooraa said that Ahmadis owe gratitude to Germany for allowing them to settle here. To express their thankfulness, Ahmadi Muslims should work for the betterment of the country with all of one’s abilities. This will lead to true integration. If this is upheld, the Jamaat will always have a positive reputation.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that the Lord Mayor and others have commented on how well Ahmadi Muslims are integrated. Now, it is the responsibility of Ahmadis living in Wiesbaden to excel in their service of the city and country, proving that we are people who like to live in a peaceful atmosphere.
Religion is a personal matter and freedom of religion has been expressed very clearly by the Holy Quran. The true requirement of the age is upholding human values where religion is not a source of dispute.
In today’s world, it is essential that Muslims overlook the
beliefs of others and serve humanity. If we fail to do so, then love and peace
can never be established.
The session ended with silent prayers.
Huzooraa is in Germany as part of his European tour of 2019.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa at the inaugural reception of Mahdi mosque
Strasbourg, France, Saturday, 12 October: The Mahdi Mosque was inaugurated yesterday with the Friday Sermon of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, in Strasbourg, France. Earlier this afternoon, an inaugural reception was held in the premises of the mosque where Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa addressed dignitaries, local residents and guests.
After Hazrat Amirul Momineen’saa arrival, the session started with the recitation of the Holy Quran, verses 11, 12 and 14 of Surah al-Hujurat (chapter 49).
Ashfaq Rabbani Sahib, Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya France then introduced the Jamaat and welcomed the guests. An introduction to Islam Ahmadiyyat and the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, was given.
A number of dignitaries that addressed the gathering included Jean Jacques Rusch the Mayor of Hurtigheim, Martine Wonner Member of Parliament for Hurtigheim, Justin Vogel Mayor of Truchtersheim, and President of the Kochesberg Municipality, Étienne Burger, Vice-president of the county council and mayor of Khuttolsheim.
The speakers welcomed the Jamaat’s initiative of building the mosque, appreciating freedom of religion in France. They spoke on various areas of the French society and praised the Jamaat’s motto of “love for all hatred for none” and how it fitted in. Justin Vogel, Mayor of Truchtersheim, expressed her understanding of Islam as a religion of peace and the Holy Quran as a book that promotes peace. She also desired for the Mahdi Mosque, Strasbourg to be a means of spreading peace and love.
After reciting the Tashahud and Ta‘awuz Hazrat
Khalifatul Masih Vaa greeted
and thanked the guests for attending a function of religious nature with a
mosque was being opened.
Huzooraa, commenting on the speeches of the respected guests, said it seemed there were some reservations at the start of the mosque project. This was quite natural due to the general but widespread misconception that a mosque represents unrest and violence. Huzooraa made it clear that this was absolutely wrong and far from the truth.
Huzooraa described how Muslim men and women, at the dawn of Islam, were severely persecuted in Mecca. As a result the Holy Prophet, along with his community, migrated to Medina. However, the Meccans followed them and continued their persecution. It was then that Allah permitted to fight in self-defence. Those who opposed and persecuted Islam and its followers were actually against religion altogether. The Holy Quran actually mentions that Churches, Synagogues, and other places of worship would not exist if these people were not apprehended.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa stated that this was the first Quranic commandment for Muslims to defend themselves and their religion.
Whenever a Muslim army would leave for wars that they were forced to participate in, due to the actions of enemies, the Holy Prophetsa and his Rightly Guided Caliphsra would order the Muslim army not to kill religious leaders, destroy places of worships or kill women and children.
A western commentator has written that only a few hundred or a thousand were killed in the battles of the Holy Prophetsa, whereas World War I and World War II (that the western world fought) saw the death of hundreds of thousands, with a single bomb. Thus, he said, the blame is not on Muslims in waging wars and causing bloodshed. The two great wars had nothing to do with Islam and were actually geopolitical wars.
“Islam is most definitely not a religion of extremism”, Huzooraa said.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa pointed out that some locals may fear this new mosque, but Islam defines many rights of neighbours; neighbourhood spanning to 40 houses and not just to next doors. The rights of neighbours prescribed by Allah are such that the Holy Prophetsa, who received these commandments directly, thought that neighbours might be given a right in a Muslim’s inheritance.
“A mosque is built to worship the One God and worshippers to live in peace together”, Huzooraa explained.
Highlighting the peaceable and humanitarian teachings and practices of Islam, Huzooraa mentioned how the Jamaat has built many mosques by the grace of Allah, and at the same time, is also rendering extensive humanitarian services. There are hundreds of schools and hospitals of the Jamaat built in Africa and amenities like water and electricity are also provided to remote areas.
Huzooraa said that this is how our claim of “love for all hatred for none” is supported by our actions.
Huzooraa confirmed that those Ahmadi Muslims who will be attending the new mosque will be law abiding citizens. At the same time they will serve humanity. This is because the Holy Quran has clearly stated that worship alone and no compassion for humanity results to nought. The Jamaat upholds this standard wherever it goes.
Ahmadi Muslims, Insha-Allah, will develop their relations with the neighbours of this
new mosque even more so. And those who enter the mosque will be a means of
peace and comfort.
The French government was commended by Huzooraa for allowing Jamaat members to come to France and live. Those Ahmadis who have come here are mostly those who were not given freedom of religion and conscience. Now that Ahmadi Muslims have come here, they have the responsibility of serving this country; this would be true gratitude. Allah desires every believer to be thankful and the Holy Prophetsa has said that those who do not thank fellow-men, do not thank Allah.
Huzooraa said that he was confident that local Ahmadis will be a means of peace and comfort for the area. The Ahmadis will be law abiding citizens who serve and will show the true teachings of Islam that the Holy Prophetsa taught.
Strasbourg, France, Friday, 11 October: Where every Friday Sermon of Hazrat Khailfatul Masihaa is of historic importance, some sermons become even more historic when they mark the inauguration of a mosque. Today’s Friday Sermon inaugurated the Mahdi Mosque in Strasbourg, France.
Huzooraa unveiled the plaque of the mosque
and led the congregation in silent prayer. Millions of Ahmadis joined in this
prayer through MTA International. This was followed by the Friday Sermon that
Huzooraa delivered in this mosque, hence making 11 October a
historic day in the history of Islam Ahmadiyyat.
After reciting the Tashahud, Ta‘awuz, and Surah
al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa recited
verse 18 of Surah at-Taubah (chapter 9). Huzooraa said
that Allah has blessed us with a mosque in Strasbourg, France where the
Jamaat consists of 75 percent new Ahmadis and those of non-Pakistani
ethnicities. Referring to the recited verses, Huzooraa said
that Allah instructs us to worship Him and the verse also points to the
Day of Judgment, belief in which motivates one to worship Allah the Almighty.
Huzooraa read an excerpt of the Promised
Messiahas that highlights the importance of belief in the Day of
Judgment in making one a true believer.
Huzooraa said that those who build a mosque
declare their belief in the worship of Allah and that too in congregation. It
also shows that they are ready to sacrifice their wealth in the way of Allah.
This spirit of financial sacrifice then leads to a greater passion of
propagating the message of Allah the Almighty. Such are the people who
are the rightly-guided ones but this comes with a responsibility: becoming
exemplary models for others.
Those contributing towards building the mosque should continue to pray to Allah that He enables them to populate the mosque with prayers. They should pray that with the mosque, Allah enables them to become a manifestation of the saying of the Holy Prophetsa that Allah builds a house for those who build a mosque.
To attain this status, every Ahmadi should closely
keep an eye on their prayers and see that Salat is offered as prescribed
by Allah the Almighty. Rights of Allah and rights of His creation should be
fulfilled in the best possible manner.
Thousands of mosques are built around the world but if
they become hub of inciting hatred or introducing innovations in faith, then
such mosques cannot lead to Paradise. For a mosque to be a lighthouse that
guides towards Paradise, one has to follow the advice of the Imam of the Age
i.e. the Promised Messiahas. He has advised us in great detail about
what deeds to adopt to be able to attain the love of God. We have to express
our love for Allah through our deeds to be able to win the love of our Creator.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa presented excerpts
from the writings of the Promised Messiahas that clearly express
Allah’s expectations from us. The excerpts of the Promised Messiahas
that Huzooraa presented eloquently spoke about how Salat is to
be offered, how it transforms us, how it leads to the well-being of the society
at large.
Huzooraa emphasised that everyone should
strive to offer salat in congregation especially in western countries where
travelling is a lot easier.
Huzooraa instructed the Strasbourg Jamaat
to make the most of this mosque that Allah has blessed them with. Hazrat Amirul
Momineenaa said that everyone should strive to offer salat in
congregation, otherwise we will be denying a great blessing of Allah.
Before concluding his Sermon, Huzooraa mentioned that 2,640 square metres comprise the premises of the Mahdi Mosque. Huzooraa mentioned that by the grace of Allah, the construction work became possible in half the amount that was quoted by the architects. Of the 530,000 euros spent, Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya has contributed most of it and has pledged to also contribute the remaining amount. Huzooraa instructed that members of Majlis Ansarullah and Lajna Imaillah should also contribute towards building another mosque in France.
The full English text of this Friday Sermon will be published in Al Hakam in due course.
“It
should be borne in mind that we do not raise objections against the
inoculation. In fact we acknowledge its advantages and the great benefit it
possesses. We admit that it carries cure for the people without any fear or
concern. It was for this reason that once the government realised that the
outbreak of plague was reaching its peak and its devastation was spreading to
the extreme, it [the government] gave preference to the inoculation over every
other remedy and spending a lot of money, provided for its means and out of
compassion made every effort for the ones affected by plague, so as to sheath
the sword of the plague.
“This practice was being carried out for several years
and we had not heard about its harmful affect from any reputable person. In
truth, the wise would praise this remedy and considered it a fast acting remedy
and the most effective means of cure. This situation continued until I wrote my
book Noah’s Ark, and under divine guidance of Allah the Exalted, I
refused to use the inoculation and said that pure, eternal and complete
protection that does not involve painful torment is with us and not with those
who receive the vaccine.
“Thus, if I am proven wrong in this matter, I am not from Allah the Almighty. Consequently, stern voices were raised and they [the opponents] said that I oppose this method whereas safety depends upon it, and the revelation that I am mentioning is nothing and I will return after facing embarrassment. Or, calamity would befall me and my associates. [They said] complete safety and well-being exists in taking the inoculation. [They said that] as the experts have tested it, there will be no fear for those who take it and they will not be plagued. On this occasion, my heart was filled with emotions and tears ran down my eyes because I had witnessed such actions of people that were contradictory to the practices of Muslims. I realised that they acknowledge the remedies of people but do not believe in the promises of Rabbul-Alamin [the Lord of All the Worlds].
“They take refuge of the expert but do not come in the
refuge of Allah who is very near. They listen to the speculators but do not
adhere to that Being under whose commandment exists the order of deaths. Hence,
I presented a complaint before God Almighty that He may exonerate me from the
assertions of the people, deliver me from the blame and silence the mouths of
the opponents and return the blessings of welfare and safety back to us. [I
asked God to] prove the inoculation as ineffective, manifest certain defects in
it and show to the people that they have made a mistake in declaring me a
wrongdoer. This is so that they understand the cure is in the hands of the
Creator and not the creation.
“Thus, I continued to pray and carried out prayers
with extreme humility and repeatedly submitted before the court of Allah, the
Omnipotent and All-Powerful, so much so that the signs of the acceptance of
prayer became visible and the previously written prophecy proved truthful and
that promise was fulfilled which was repudiated. The inoculation infiltrated
the courtyards of God’s creation like a lion creeps in and people witnessed its
harmful effects through their own eyes … This is the reality behind that
unfortunate incident which took place in Malakwal.” (Mawahib-ur-Rahman,
Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 19, pp. 263-265)
Highlighting the above-mentioned extract of the
Promised Messiahas from the book Mawahib-ur-Rahman published
in 1903, the opponents raise an objection that the founder of the Ahmadiyya
Jamaat, while referring to his book Noah’s Ark, stated:
“Hence, I presented a complaint before God Almighty
that He may exonerate me from the assertions of the people, deliver me from
blame and silence the mouths of the opponents, and return the blessings of
welfare and safety back to us. [I asked God to] prove the inoculation as
ineffective, manifest certain defects in it and show to the people that they
have made a mistake in declaring me a wrongdoer. This is so that they
understand the cure is in the hands of the Creator and not the creation. Thus,
I continued to pray and carried out prayers with extreme humility and
repeatedly submitted before the court of Allah, the Omnipotent and
All-Powerful, so much so that the signs of the acceptance of prayer became
visible and the previously written prophecy proved truthful”.
Opponents allege that these words are nowhere to be
found in Noah’s Ark. Moreover, they ask why the Promised Messiahas
carried out such an accursed prayer and desired death and destruction of the
people?
Pondering over the aforementioned excerpt, it becomes
significantly clear that the only words referred to the book Noah’s Ark by
the Promised Messiahas are:
“This situation
continued until I wrote my book Noah’s Ark and under the divine guidance
of Allah the Exalted I refused to use the inoculation and said that pure,
eternal and complete protection which does not involve painful torment is with
us and not with those who receive the vaccine. Thus, if I am proven wrong in
this matter, I am not from Allah the Almighty.”
The Promised Messiahas is simply referring
to the fact that people began to mock him when he announced in his book Noah’s
Ark that he will not take the inoculation for the plague. Therefore, he
submitted to God Almighty and prayed, so that others may understand.
Consequently, the incident of Malakwal took place, in
which 19 individuals, who had received the plague vaccine, lost their lives and
God’s promise was fulfilled. This indicated that the real remedy of the plague
is to seek forgiveness and come into the refuge of the Creator.
Reading the complete extract with the context, the
readers may have realised that the Promised Messiahas in his book Mawahib-ur-Rahman
has not referred to Noah’s Ark regarding a prayer or a curse. The prayer
that the Promised Messiahas has mentioned was carried out after the
publication of Noah’s Ark when people went against him considering the
inoculation to be the only cure. Hence, opponents have intentionally tried to
deceive the general public by presenting the statement of the Promised Messiahas
out of context.
The opponents raise an objection against the prayer of
the Promised Messiahas and say he was wrong in beseeching a curse by
praying against the inoculation as it involved death and destruction of people.
It should be noted for the record, in the past,
opponents have objected to another prayer which was carried out by the Promised
Messiahas for the eradication of the plague and emphasised that it
was against the practice of earlier prophets like Noahas etc. Hence,
opponents are not satisfied either way whether the Promised Messiahas
prayed for the eradication of the plague or prayed against the inoculation – to
bring people closer to God Almighty because they were entirely dependent on the
vaccine and forgot their Creator. It would not be inaccurate to say opponents
are raising allegations just for the sake of going against the Promised Messiahas
because the above assertion contradicts their own viewpoint.
Earlier prophets, regardless of their immense
compassion for mankind, always chose upholding God’s honour over the safety of
mankind.
For instance, at the occasion of Battle of Uhud when Muslims were nearly defeated and the Quraish were arrogantly chanting against them, the Holy Prophetsa instructed the Muslims to remain quiet for the safety of Muslims. However, when Abu Sufiyan said اعل ھبل i.e. “Glory be to [the idol] Hubul”, the Holy Prophetsa ordered his companions to reply by saying, اللہ اعلی واجل i.e. “Allah is the Greatest and the Most Glorious.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Maghazi)
The Promised Messiahas prayed to God
Almighty when the people of his time declared that the inoculation was enough
for their safety and turned away from seeking forgiveness. This prompted the
torment of God. The same prayer was carried out by Noahas when his
people transgressed, despite all efforts and Allah Almighty told him that they
would not believe, as it is stated in the Holy Quran:
“And they have led many astray; so increase
Thou not the wrongdoers but in error. Because of their sins they were drowned
and made to enter Fire. And they found no helpers for themselves against Allah.
And Noah said, ‘My Lord, leave not on the land a single dweller of the
disbelievers.’” (Surah Nuh, Ch.71: V.25-27)
Prophets perform their tasks in light of God’s
directions. Owing to the compassion and love of mankind, they effort day and
night to convey the message of God and show various signs to make people
understand. However, when their nation excel in mockery and reproach, the
prophets are left with no other choice than to pray for torment from God. In
the incident of Mosesas, it is stated in the Holy Quran that he
prayed in the following words:
“And Moses said, ‘Our Lord, Thou hast
bestowed upon Pharaoh and his chiefs embellishment and wealth in the present
life, with the result, our Lord, that they are leading men astray from Thy
path. Our Lord! Destroy their riches and attack their hearts and they are not
going to believe until they see the grievous punishment.’ He said, ‘Your prayer
is accepted.’”(Surah Yunus, Ch.10: V.89-90)
Similarly, the Holy Prophetsa prayed
against his opponents when they rejected Islam with great enmity and sought to
destroy it. As a result, famine overtook them for one year and destroyed every
kind of life to such an extent that the people were compelled to eat the dead
and carcasses. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Istisqa)
Hence,
the Promised Messiahas was a prophet of God Almighty and he
performed the task of reforming mankind, following God’s guidance and the practice
of earlier prophets. Opponents must have realised from these examples that had
they pondered over the Holy Quran and Ahadith, they would have easily found out
the answers to their assertions.
Walking
around in a shopping centre or sitting in a restaurant, it has become such a
common sight to see a child being entertained by an iPad or a mobile phone as
their parents indulge in shopping or eat their food in peace; so common that it
is almost negligible.
Even
toddlers now know how not to hold the smartphone in their palms, lest the
screen with the cartoon or game shuts down. Fascinating, isn’t it? Or is it
actually worrying?
Our
new generations are growing up with a habit of deriving amusement and pleasure
out of gadgets. Parents tend to appreciate this habit as it leaves them with
more leisure time, but then comes a point when this habit of their children and
young adults turns into an addiction; a psychological disorder, now officially
termed as “gaming disorder” by the World Health Organisation.
“Gaming
disorder is defined in the 11th Revision of the International
Classification of Diseases as a pattern of gaming behavior [digital and video]
characterized by impaired control over gaming, increasing priority given to
gaming over other activities to the extent that gaming takes precedence over
other interests and daily activities, and continuation or escalation of gaming
despite the occurrence of negative consequences,” says the World Health Organisation.
It
will be interesting for our readers to know that the “International
Classification of Diseases (ICD) is the basis for identification of health
trends and statistics globally and the international standard for reporting
diseases and health conditions. It is used by medical practitioners around the
world to diagnose conditions and by researchers to categorise conditions.”
This
means that mental issues generated by an addiction to video games have been
classified as a mental disorder globally.
The
National Health Service (NHS) of England and Wales announced the establishment
of special clinics to deal with gaming disorder. This indicates the alarming
scale of the problem.
How
has the situation turned so alarming? Fiona Smith of Royal College of Nursing
explains:
“As
technology becomes more accessible and more advanced, it’s unsurprising that
more and more young people are potentially being negatively affected by
excessive screen time to the point where it effects their daily lives. The
damage of addiction of any kind goes beyond the child or young person, causing
distress to parents, families and friends.”
“Whilst the NHS has a duty of care and is adapting to these
modern challenges, it, and taxpayers, can’t foot the bill alone. Online gaming
firms and global social media firms who make millions of pounds of profit must
take more responsibility by keeping their platforms safe, and introduce
safeguards to reduce the burden on the health service.”
(Fiona
Smith is Professional Lead for Children and Young People at the Royal
College of Nursing, London)
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa, Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, warned about the risks associated to games like Fortnite quite some time ago and has repeatedly done so on a number of occasions. As successor of the Messiah of the age, he strives not only for the well-being of his own community, but equally for that of humanity at large.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa is on a mission to save the world from the destruction that it is heading towards. From national security of various countries to international politics, societal harmony to personal peace; his advice ranges across all global issues. To find out more, read World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace.
Earlier
this week, in Paris, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa most eloquently
panned out before UNESCO how Muslim scientists, scholars and philosophers
shaped the world of science. In his discourse, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa
made it clear that the “Holy Quran and the teachings of the Holy Prophetsa
of Islam inspired the works of generations of Muslim intellectuals,
philosophers and inventors in the Middle Ages”.
It is important to note, Muslim intellectuals possessed
personal academic and intellectual goals that were promoted and endorsed by
their religion to pursue the sciences. It is crucial to acknowledge that the
scientific world in the west, particularly in France, did not experience such
an easy ride when science came face to face with religion.
The Middle Ages in Europe witnessed a painful struggle
between science and the church. With the dawn of the Renaissance, the world of
scientific thought would experience hurdles placed by religious clerics declaring
scientists as “heretics”.
Scientists and thinkers like Galileo Galilei and
Baruch de Espinoza (better known as Spinoza), would be trialled for their ideas
that challenged the Church. Regarding Galileo, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh
wrote:
“One famous example is that of the tussle between the
Church and Galileo. When Galileo (1564–1642) published his findings about the
solar system, it infuriated the Church because his findings were against the
perception which the Church had of the solar system. Under extreme duress he
was forced to publicly renounce his scientific discoveries. Alternatively, he
would have suffered death by torture…” (Christianity: A Journey From Facts
to Fiction, p. 24)
Galileo was so relentless with his push for science
that even 16 years after being warned by the Church, he published his Dialogue
on the Two Chief World Systems, confidently discussing Copernicus’
refutation of the geocentric theory. Threatened with torture, he ended up
declaring, “I do not hold this opinion of Copernicus” (Camus on Galileo The
Myth of Sisyphus)
The infamous Inquisitions of Europe originated for
those who were suspected of publishing, spreading or talking about scientific
idea that undermined the Church’s authority. However, the cocoon of supressing
science would only breed a growing minority of free-thinkers, scientists,
philosophers and for that matter, atheists.
Supressing science and free thought across Europe gave
birth to the secret salons of Paris where thinkers, the likes of Baron
d’Holbach, David Hume, Louis-Philippe Segur, Denis Diderot and Jean Meslier
would discuss science, and philosophers like Voltaire who “appealed to our
intelligence” and “Rousseau [who] touched our hearts”, as Louis-Philippe Segur
put it. (The Twlight of Atheism, p. 36).
Scientific books and research began to be strictly
controlled particularly in France, and anything that opposed religion would be
violently shunned. This suppression simmered the heat of the violent French
Revolution and led France to a full-fledged “secular” outlook.
The Reign of Terror (La Terreur) followed the
French Revolution, led by radical individuals like Jacobin, Jacques Hebert and
Maximillian Robespierre, where it was
religion’s turn to be violently opposed. Many executions took place in France,
using Dr Guillotine’s new slaughtering machine; based on the principles of
gravity by Newton. Religious attire was also banned in some places and churches
were shut down – the tables had been turned. Churches were being turned into
“temples of reason” and the words “liberty” and “reason’’ would now openly be
echoed.
On 10 November 1793, a festival took place
in Notre-Dame Cathedral known as the “Festival of Reason”; the most famous
Church in France had now been renamed as the “Temple of Reason”. During the
festival, a “Goddess of Reason” who was to be worshipped appeared before the
crowd and all sorts of rituals took place, with reason being the new
“god”.
Prior to this, festivals would almost
always be religious in nature, but now it was the new “Cult of Reason”
government which was holding festivals in awe of liberty, nature and
fraternity.
The suppression of science had turned reactionary in
leading European society to strongly oppose religion and towards the spiritual
darkness that we witness today in the form of the age of atheism.
The ideals of the French Revolution spurred across
Europe, including Britain. Percy Shelley’s The Necessity of Atheism and Queen
Mab are prime examples of France’s intellectual influence upon Britain.
Though many factors had played a role, the suppression
of science and research was instrumental in leading to this extreme. It paved
way for a largely anti-religion society.
The force of intellectuals would now fiercely oppose religion and
theories against it began to develop at an unprecedented rate, for example,
Karl Marx’s notion about religion being “the opium of the people”.
This was a struggle that the Muslim scientists and
philosophers did not have to undergo, for the most part. However, as the
Enlightenment reached its peak and reason and science were given undue
importance in that the existence of God was rejected, Allah sent the Promised
Messiah, peace be upon him.
Interestingly, at the advent of the Promised Messiahas,
Muslim clerics had begun to oppose technological advances and issued fatwas
(edicts) against technology developed by the West. It was the Promised Messiahas
who corrected the ways of such clerics and revived the original teachings of
Islam, promoting research and science.
At the same time, the Promised Messiahas
pushed back at those who had taken hold of the other extreme of pure reason and
science.
The effects of Western philosophers were beginning to
catch fire in the east, with scores of Muslim and Hindu youth turning away from
religion and focusing their sole attention on subjects like logic and
philosophy. Islam had also lost its pomp and spiritual light, thus falling prey
to doubt and scepticism.
The Promised Messiahas in his Arabic book Lujatu-Nur
alludes to a populace of India who had begun to laugh, ridicule and mock
those who adhered to religion, while priding themselves with their own
intellectual understandingand abilityin philosophy, nature and
logic. The Promised Messiahas described the intensity of the
situation by saying, “They have entered the stomachs of philosophers like the
deceased enter graves”. (Lujatu-Nur, Ruhani Khazain Vol.16 p.48 )
The Promised Messiahas challenged atheists
on two fronts. Firstly, he presented intellectual arguments supplemented with a
more robust proof of a living God through revelation. The intellectual
arguments the Promised Messiahas detailed against the philosophers
were unique and novel and proved to be a breath of fresh air, a ray of hope and
a source of solace and conviction for believing people.
Regarding the field of academia and tackling the
various ideologies of the world at the time, the Promised Messiahas said,
“I have thus been moved by God to enter this battlefield of science and
academic advancement armed with a literary arsenal, and also to exhibit the
spiritual valour of Islam and demonstrate the marvel of its inner strength…” (Malfuzat,
Vol. 1, p. 58).
The world of Islam and the West had taken up two
extremes at the advent of the Promised Messiahas. Muslims generally
no longer supported research, science and the thought-process that the Quran
had imparted, and previous Muslim intellectuals of the Golden Age had adopted.
And the West had left religion altogether, giving science and philosophy an
almost divine authority.
Both of these extreme fronts were successfully
challenged by the Promised Messiahas through his literature and a
new dawn of Islam was shown to the world.
After the demise of the Promised Messiahas,
his successors have successfully upheld the great mission. While religious
education lies at the core of human life, Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya has encouraged
secular learning to keep at par with the modern world. We see Hazrat Khalifatul
Masih awarding gold medals to those that have excelled in education during the
year. Financial grants are available to students who wish to pursue higher
education in science, technology and humanities. Knowledge is, for the
Ahmadiyya Jamaat, a lost asset that must be attained at any cost.
26 July
1919: The ship is cruising along the ocean in such manner that it takes pride
in passing the country which has a place of worship that was built by the
father of all the prophets [the Holy Prophetsa] and where the
perfect Shariah [divine law] descended upon the chief of all the prophets. A
steamer full of pilgrims going to visit the place of their beloved can be seen
on the right side of the ship.
Right now, our ship is at 10-14 longitude and 42-43 latitude.
So far today, up until midday, after 24 hours, it has covered a distance of 283
miles. Fervent eyes are eagerly waiting for Jeddah. From far away, they want to
send Salaam and offer Durood upon the leader of both the worlds
but an Abyssinian khalasi [a sailor or porter] says that Jeddah will
appear tomorrow after we pass seven mountains. Coming face to face with the
coast of Arabia, the soul is in bliss and the heart is engaged in prayers.
Today, by the grace of God Almighty, I have conveyed a detailed message of the truth to certain people of Lucknow and Delhi. Standing on the upper deck of the ship, I have also read out those couplets of Durr-e-Samin [a collection of poems written by the Promised Messiahas] which carry the news of Hazrat Nanak’sas acceptance of Islam in front of two respectable Sikhs. A discussion on the subject of “Islam’s attributes” and “Islamic purdah” was held with a professor from Bombay [now Mumbai]. The professor is an admirer of Islamic purdah.
There is a respectable barrister from Bombay on the
deck of the ship who is well aware of respected Khawaja Sahib and his mission.
He mentioned that Khawaja’s mission in the UK is without success and further
added that he is deceiving the people of India.
27 July 1919: Today, the position of the ship is,
longitude 12-19 and latitude 28-39. It has covered a distance of 385 miles in
24 hours. Every day, people place bets on the speed of the ship and gambling is
common among English people.
Today, at around 12 noon, the birth place of the
master and Syed-e-Laulak [Prophet Muhammadsa] passed by. I
handed over the poetical work of the Promised Messiahas to the dove
of affection in my imagination and sent it to the land of the beloved in the
following way:
حمامتنا تطیر بریش شوق وفی منقارھا تحف السلام
الی وطن النبی حبیب ربی وسید رسلہ خیرالانام
“Our dove, having the gifts of Salaam
in its beak, flies with the feather of love towards the country of our Prophet
who is the beloved of our Lord and master of all prophets and best of all
creation.”
28 July 1919: Today, I had the opportunity to convey the message of Islam to a lot of young men. A graduate expresses great love for the Promised Messiahas and accepts him as the mujaddid [reformer]. They are ready to follow the teaching of the Promised Messiahas.
However, they insist that though the teaching is beautiful, there is no need to
accept the personality of the tutor. I am trying to convince them. Certain
people are reading Durr-e-Samin. Today, a Christian by the name Nuruddin
was startled while studying Durr-e-Samin [when he read]:
ابن مریم کے ذکر کو چھوڑو
اس سے بہتر غلام احمد ہے
“Leave the account of the son of Mary [because] the servant of Ahmad [the Holy Prophetsa] is far superior.”
Then, he kept listening to the comparison of Prophet
Muhammadsa and Jesusas of Nazareth with keen interest for
around one and half hours. Thereafter, he raised objections on polygamy to
which answers were given. Certain Englishmen also kept listening to the
questions and answers with close attention. At last, the gentleman was
satisfied and was interested in asking questions the next day.
The sight of the sun setting in the ocean is extremely
captivating; a huge red and yellow ball appears to be drowning in the waters
far away. The spectacle of Dhul-Qurnain mentioned in the Holy Quran can be seen
with purity and detail. After Maghrib prayer, Chaudhry Sahib and I stood on the
central deck of the ship facing the coast of Arabia and read out the following
Persian couplets of the Promised Messiahas with such zeal and
passion that only a momin’s [true believer] can produce:
عجب نوریست درجان محمد
عجب لعلیست درکان محمد
“There is an extraordinary light in the
persona of Muhammadsa and there are unique gems in the mine of
Muhammadsa.” O’ Allah shower peace and blessings upon the Holy
Prophetsa!
29 July 1919: The ship is cruising past the point where
God revealed the Torah upon Mosesas and Mount Sinai, which was
blessed by Allah Almighty. It is on our right. The ocean water is clear and
green. Round shaped and green coloured fish move past the ship. The coast of
Arabia has ended and Egypt has arrived. Dry land is appearing lush green, but
the greenery can only be seen on one side. It is the glory of Allah that He
caused springs of spiritual water to flow in sandy lands and dry mountains. And
the world’s greatest spiritual men were born in “dry Sinai” and sandy Arabia. All
praise belongs to Allah, the Exalted!
It is evening time and the ship has reached the Suez.
This is a small town of Egypt on one side of the Suez Canal, where the waters
of the Red Sea meet the Mediterranean Sea through the waterway and fulfil the
prophecy of the Holy Quran:
مَرَجَ الۡبَحۡرَیۡنِ یَلۡتَقِیٰنِ
[“Verily, He (Allah Almighty) will merge
the two oceans, joining them together.” (Surah al-Rahman, Ch.55: V.20)]
It is located on that place where the waters of the
Mediterranean Sea helped pass Mosesas following the orders of the
Divine, and drew a distinction between right and wrong by drowning Pharaoh and
his army. These thoughts which flash into one’s mind by this sight were still
afresh when Egyptian boats waving their flag with the symbol of “crescent and
star” came close to our ship, and people standing on the deck of the ship
started buying and selling goods with boats stationed on water. A bucket was
sent down through a rope and pulled upwards. This way, merchandise and payment
would reach the hand of the buyer and the seller.
29 July 1919: The moon of Dhul-Qadah was seen with all
its glory in the land of Egypt and this traveller, with hands raised, recalled
his coming endeavors and the dear ones left behind [at home]. Immediately after
the sunset, the ship started sailing again from the canal. It was delightful to
experience the slow and steady movement of [the ship] “China” passing between
Asia and Africa.
30 July 1919: Cruising all night in Suez, we were in
Ismailia by the sunrise. On the way, situated above the canal, we saw the
bridge of the train which joins Africa with Asia and runs from Cairo to
Jerusalem. The bridge can be dismantled and rebuilt whenever required. I had a
discussion with an open-minded Christian while viewing the sight of the canal.
He said, “The Messiah keeps appearing in every age. I am not convinced by the
fact that he appeared once in Jerusalem and that was it.” The gentleman was the
representative of Congress from Madras. He was told about the message of
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya and literature was given to him. Most of those present on
the deck of the ship are studying the English translation of “Tuhfat-ul-Maluk”
[Gift for the Kings] and they do it regularly.
The ship reached Port Said by noon and we went to the
city with some literature. This is a European style city. Various Christian
nations make up the major portion of the city’s population. Greeks are settled
in great numbers. Masses of Muslims are also present in the tea-houses. We got
a letter of recommendation from the British council and had our passports
signed from the French council, and distributed a lot of literature in the
city.
A Hindu gentleman met us. He promised, after taking
some literature from us, “I will distribute it in every hotel over here.”
Hence, he performed this task exceptionally well. The exposure of the Jamaat
reached far and wide in Port Said and while returning to the ship, a learned
Egyptian gentleman searching for us, with the help of Indian students, met us.
Chaudhry Fateh Muhammad Sahib preached to him for nearly half an hour. We sent
some literature for him from the ship as well.
Trams are pulled by horses in Port Said. It has a
European way of living. Egyptian women purchase and sell goods wearing black
burqas. They were seen selling vegetables at a market.
A remarkable mosque is located at the city centre carrying the name “Abbasi Mosque”. We offered prayer in it and carried out tabligh to the imam and returned after receiving the title “فاضلان جدان” ”[scholars of Jeddah] from the imam.
The incident in Port Said which was going to have a
great impact on my heart and will continue to do so, was that of the “little
Yusuf” who was seen in the shop of a Christian. As we entered the shop, he
looked at us with extremely affectionate eyes. I asked him in Arabic, “Are you
a Muslim?” He replied, “I am a Muslim, Alhamdollilah.”
I handed over the English translation of Surah
al-Fatihah to him that was printed as a sample. He accepted it with great love.
There was another child with him. I handed him a sample as well. Owing to a
spontaneous thought which normally comes to mind, Yusuf immediately said, “I am
a Muslim but he is Greek.” Nevertheless, the Yusuf of Egypt, a servant in a Christian
shop, his innocent face and his coming to the door to bid us farewell, was a
sight that will never be forgotten.
A short discourse was held with a Christian missionary
as well. He was surprised to hear that we were “bearers of Islam’s glad
tidings” and said, “This is the first occasion when I have seen the
missionaries of Islam and come to know that Muslims also preach to
Christians.” This is the opinion of
those Christians who work in Muslim countries. I hope to God that Muslims soon
become [true] Muslims.
The art of deceiving travellers is common at Port
Said. A bundle of beautiful paper is prepared and sold at one or two shillings
and it is said that inside it is something unique and should be unwrapped on
the ship. It has one or two playing cards in it or pieces of trash paper.
Likewise, a lot of people were deceived. These are the signs of modern day
civilisation.
Divers [can be seen] swimming around the ship in the
waters of the Port. As soon someone throws a dawanni [two annas], they
immediately dive in and bring it out.
31 July 1919: The ship entered the Mediterranean Sea
and left Asia behind. Europe is on the right and Africa is on the left side.
Disturbances were experienced in the ocean and a number of people fell sick.
1 August 1919: The ship has covered a distance of 370
miles in the past 24 hours and today at 12 noon, it is on 53-64 longitude and
43-60 latitude. Most of the people have exchanged addresses with us and
discussions about the Jamaat take place everywhere.
2 August 1919: Today, the ship passed between the Island
of Sicily and the country of Italy. Crossing through Sicily and Italy, leaving
behind Turkey, Syria, Arabia and Egypt, with Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria on
the right and Hispania in front, the past glory of Muslims comes to mind and
the bloodshed of Muslims in the name of Christianity and the dark spots of the
efforts for effacing their traces can be seen clearly.
The Ahmadi missionaries have faith in God Almighty
that He will spread the teachings of Ahmad again in these countries with the
help of spiritual weapons. And bring the centre of Christianity under the
spiritual kingship of Islam and prove to the world that Islam was not spread by
the sword.
3 August 1919: There is an arrangement for Christian
workers to offer prayer on the ship and the priest of the Church of England
leads the prayer. Most of the Christians left as the bell rang for the prayer.
One of the few who remained sitting explained that he is associated with the
“Vezelian” [Vezelay] church, therefore he did not go.
Today, the ocean was rough again and the waves crashed
and tossed with such force that the deck is filled with water.
4 August 1919: Handing over the distribution of literature to a friend, we disembarked at Marseilles. It is a fortified port and in reality, it is “Mars-Ali.” The indication of Marseilles is present in: بسم االلہ مجریھا ومرسھا. The actual meaning is “Port of Ali” and perhaps its foundation was laid in that age when the Mediterranean was an Islamic sea, and Muslim sailors would sail their trade and warships around its shores. They would probably build such ports in places that suited them.
After praying here, we disembarked on the land of
Europe. In order to buy a ticket and to get [our passports] signed again from
the French council, we went in the city of Marseilles. Starting from the
station, there was a long straight line of bars and pubs.
On the way,
French soldiers were seen walking in various uniforms. Certain soldiers had the
symbol of the crescent and star on their caps that gave an idea that perhaps
they are Muslims. However, they were French soldiers who had started living in
Algeria. Everywhere, women can be seen working. Men and women holding hands and
arms walk freely in the market places. Hardly any Muslims from Algeria and
Morocco can be seen. We met two or three Muslims but they were afraid to openly
talk to us.
4 August 1919: Seeing those people, I realised the worth of the British Government’s freedom. Below are the things which were a new sight for us in Marseilles:
1. Abundance of bars
2.
Abundance of women
3. Huge
horses for transportation. As if these horses are the elephants of Europe.
A Jewish porter met us on the railway station. He
said, “My mother is from Damascus and my father is from Egypt and I am from
France.” There was a crowd on the railway station of Marseilles for the Geneva
mail train, so we were unable to find a place in the second class carriage.
Even in third class, we kept standing for a while, but then some French sailors
came and there was a window of opportunity to board for us between their
entering and the exit of the soldiers, so we secured a place to sit.
The French soldiers closely resemble the Pathans
of the tribal area. There is only the difference of language. They kept singing
and shouting throughout the entire way. We felt like strangers in the country
of France and were surprised to see that these people know very little English.
5 August 1919: At 12 noon, we reached Paris and
witnessed the paradise of worldly people. I used to think that there are false
rumours about Paris, that it is a very indecent city. Suddenly, a woman
appeared and placed a nude picture before an Indian student companion of ours,
so that he may purchase it. This single instance displayed the picture of that
country’s civilisation. Thereafter, neither was there any time nor any desire
to see anything else.
Europe has simple car rental motors. We rented a motor
and reached the mail train for “Boulogne” and boarded it. Time was spent in
praying and wishing for the seedling of Islam to be planted in the land of
France. Advertisements are erected here in farms and fields as well and the landlords
are given payment for them.
Passports have to be shown in Boulogne. After embarking the ship and crossing over the English Channel, one reaches Folkestone. Hence, this practice was followed. By the grace of Allah Almighty, engaged in prayers for England to be enlightened with Islam, we reached Folkestone after sunset. The ocean was very peaceful and everywhere, fishermen were busy catching fish in their sailing boats.
As explained by Mufti Sahib, at times, it is very
difficult to cross the channel. However, by the grace of God, everything went
well with us. The effects of the war in France are only visible by the broken
roof of Jasmine Station. Otherwise, there is no indication of any kind which
shows that this country had to face an unparalleled horrifying war. We drove
from Folkestone to Charing Cross railway station and found it filled with a lot
of women and some men.
A slight mishap of the telegram made our friends unable to reach the station. Otherwise, it was the desire of Hazrat Mufti Sahib to welcome us along with English ladies and gentlemen. At the railway station an English guide told us the way to the underground railway station. Boarding the train, we reached Edgware Road railway station. Located at a three-minute-walk from this station is the house which is the residence for Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya’s missionaries. A new English lady convert, Mrs Florence Abbasi opened the door and respected Mufti Sahib, with a white beard, long shirt, relatively fair face and comparatively healthy body, came out with the gift of Assalamo Alaikum. Entering the house, we lay prostrate before Allah Almighty to express thankfulness for the peaceful completion of the journey and said Alhamdolillah!
Hartlepool is a town situated on the North East coast of England. It has a population of more than 90,000. Hartlepool has one of the oldest Jamaats in the UK, established on the special instruction of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV, may Allah have mercy on his soul, by Dr Hameed Khan Sahib and his respected wife.
Upon seeing a large number of pure-hearted
English converts to Islam Ahmadiyyat in Hartlepool, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh
once suggested that the town may be called “A pool of hearts”.
The Hartlepool Jamaathas indeed had the honour of hosting many pious souls since its inception. They include Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh and Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, may peace be upon him, as well as Hazrat Chaudhry Zafrulla Khan Sahibra.
At one occasion, in August 1997, when
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh visited Hartlepool Jamaat, he was
accompanied by Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Masroor Ahmad (who was then Nazir Talim),
Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Mansoor Ahmad and Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Muzaffar
Ahmad.
Allah the Exalted has also blessed
Hartlepool Jamaatwith a beautiful purpose-built mosque. Hazrat
Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, laid the foundation stone of Nasir
Mosque, Hartlepool in 2004 and inaugurated the mosque on 11November
2005. The mosque has been visited by 1,700 visitors so far.
During a meeting in 2016, Hazrat Amirul
Momineenaa instructed Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib, UK
Missionary-in-Charge, that “missionaries’ meetings should be held every month
and should be held in every region, rather than taking place in London every
time.”
Following this instruction and guidance, all the UK field missionaries regularly meet at least once a month in a different Jamaatacross the UK. September’s meeting took place in Hartlepool on Monday, 23 September. Various matters related to talim, tarbiyat and tabligh were discussed. Instructions and guidance given by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa were conveyed and explained in full.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, Imam
Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib also participated in a successful tabligh function
prior to the meeting, which was attended by more than 75 English guests.
May Allah enable every missionary to
strive to meet the expectations of our beloved Huzooraa.
Hundreds
of people gathered in Waterloo, Ontario for the 39th Annual World
Religions Conference which was held on 22 September 2019.
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada hosted this event as it has been doing for nearly
four decades.
The conference venue was a very familiar
one, the University of Waterloo located 114 km south west of Baitul Islam
mosque, Toronto. The very important
theme of this year’s event was, “How to establish a just society”, which was
addressed by many faith group representatives. Each speaker presented their
personal experience with God and their scriptural perspective on the topic of
justice.
This conference has the dual distinction
of being Canada’s largest and longest running multi-faith event. Its purpose is to explore the teachings of
various religious and philosophical traditions of society. This event has
the noble theme of encouraging a respectful discussion of faith and personal
understanding to promote a harmonious society for all Canadians.
This year’s event was moderated by Ms
Angela Vieth, councillor City of Waterloo. The conference officially started
with recitation of Holy Quran followed by an English translation. The
honourable moderator welcomed everyone to the program and introduced each faith
representative. Every year, the conference begins with the unveiling of the
world religions conference plaque which was conducted by Naib Amir Jamaat
Canada, Farhan Khokhar Sahib. Everyone stood up for the Canadian National
Anthem to show their mutual respect and unity for the nation.
Farhan Khokhar Sahib gave a warm welcome
to the all attendees and speakers and briefly introduced Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. The Moderator,
Ms Vieth, briefly reminded everyone about the objectives of the
conference and introduced various prominent guests who are normally in
attendance each year. These guests included members of parliament, members of
the provincial parliament, and local councillors.
Each of the scholars from the seven faiths,
presented their personal perspective on “How to establish a just society”. Each presentation was followed by a brief
religious piece based on recitation of the Holy Scriptures by members of their
respective faiths. The list of speakers
at this year’s conference follows;
Each year, a very engaging question and
answer is held with all the speakers of the conference. This gives the audience
a chance to present many questions for different speakers to address before the
event concludes.
The President of the WRC Organising
Committee, Nomaan Mubashir Sahib, wrapped up the event by expressing his
sincere gratitude to all the participants who helped to make this year’s event
a success. Naib Amir Jamaat Canada, Farhan Khokhar Sahib presented
commemorative plaques to all the speakers as well as to the moderator. As per Jamaat tradition, the World Religions
Conference concluded with a multi-faith silent prayer which most people
participated in.
The annual conference has grown
significantly in the past 4 decades since it started and each year it attracts
several hundred delegates, nearly a dozen speakers, and many distinguished
members of society. By the grace of
Allah, this year’s event was attended by over 600 attendees with
the entire conference broadcast live to the internet on
worldreligionsconference.org website.
For everyone’s convenience, the video of the program is also available
on YouTube for replay on the World Religions Conference channel. Two local TV
channels also covered the event.
Abu Yusuf Abdullah bin Salaam, Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
“O people! Say Assalamo Alaikum! Feed others! Be mindful of your obligations towards relatives! Worship (Allah) while others are asleep! Do this, and you will enter Paradise in peace.”
