Earlier today, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association UK conducted a Voices for Peace event at the House of Commons. Journalists and media representatives were invited to the event where Mr Hussam Zomlot (Ambassador to the United Kingdom for Palestine) and other politicians would be talking about the plight of Palestinians and the immediate need for peace in the world.
The event commenced at approximately 5:35pm with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Talat Syam, who recited verses 9-10 of Surah al-Ma’idah.
Following this, a series of guests were given the platform to talk about the importance of uniting at this time and the need for raising our voice in a peaceful manner to bring about effective solution amid the violations of human rights being witnessed in Palestine.
Rt. Hon Ed Davey took to the stage and after expressing his admiration for the works of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, he expounded on the fact that there is a dire need to bring about a solution to this problem, and indeed anything that threatens world peace, and he encouraged Ahmadis to do their utmost to play their role in establishing justice.
After this, Mr Husam Zomlot, Head of the Palestinian Mission to the UK, delivered a heartfelt address to the audience regarding the question of Palestine and Israel, and how important it is for supporters of Palestine to raise their voice in this dreadful time. He called for an immediate ceasefire, and said that “the world is listening”. He added that how we act today will determine which side of history we’ll be on in the future.
Following this, Khalil Yusuf Sahib delivered a short presentation on human rights and the teachings of Islam regarding them. He elaborated on Islam’s teachings during warfare and its promotion of peace.
Then Ibrahim Ikhlaf Sahib spoke about the contribution and guidance of Ahmadiyya Khilafat with regards to the cause of Palestine. He mentioned the foresight and sheer wisdom of the Khulafa, and gave examples and instances where guidance was provided on complicated geopolitical situations.
Amjad Mahmood Khan Sahib then delivered a short address on the efforts of Hazrat Zafrulla Khan Sahibra for the Palestinian cause and gave specific examples when his impeccable political farsightedness proved to be true. He was an integral voice for Palestine in one of its most difficult times, and his voice remains one of the few voices in the political theatre that were, are and will be on the right side of history.
Mr Karim Khan of the ICC had sent a video address, in which he talked about the various people around the world who had been suffering and in particular the people of Gaza and Palestine. He said that we must not turn a blind eye to the wrongdoings that are being committed on both sides, and we must not stand for any sort of injustice.
Abdul Quddus Arif Sahib, President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, was next to speak. He highlighted the guidance and wisdom Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa has imparted regarding the ongoing Palestine-Israel issue. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa has time and again said that without true justice, there can be no peace in the world. And if we want to see a solution to the atrocities we see in the world today, the world must unite together and shun all forms of injustice.
Following that, Rafiq Hayat Sahib, President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK, said a few words of gratitude after which he formally brought the proceedings to a close.