Eiqan Ahmad Shams, Kababir
Being selected as one of the 12 Global Young Leaders at the prestigious Global Baku Forum 2025 was a humbling honour. At 22 years old, I was the youngest participant in a gathering of heads of state, prime ministers, diplomats, and world-renowned experts, past and present. Yet beyond my academic and professional journey, what defined this experience most deeply was my identity: an Ahmadi Muslim and a waqif-e-nau from Kababir.
As a Law and International Relations student at Reichman University in Israel and working on legal research with NATO’s legal office regarding the Ukraine-Russia conflict, many assumed I was there because of my credentials. Indeed, they gave me a seat at the table – but they did not define my influence.
What truly set me apart was something deeper, more meaningful, and rarely understood by many: the spiritual strength and global vision instilled in me through our institution of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. Throughout the forum, during panel discussions and private dialogues, I found myself constantly referring to the true teachings of Islam that we learnt through the worldview of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa, Khalifatul Masih V.
Whether it was in conversations with over 40 Presidents and prime ministers or in the discussions on Gaza, the Middle East, or the ideological roots of extremism, I wasn’t merely sharing my opinion – I was echoing the guidance of the man of God.
During a compelling two-hour session with Mr Mohammad Shafiq Gabr, one of Africa’s most prominent business leaders and philanthropists, I shared perspectives shaped not only by my academic work but also by my life as an Ahmadi Muslim growing up among Jewish people and Arabs in the Holy Land.
We spoke candidly about the Gaza conflict, the failures of Western foreign policy, and the ideological void that breeds extremism. I told him plainly: “You cannot kill an extreme ideology with bombs.” Such simple truths are emphasised repeatedly in the speeches of Huzooraa, especially in his book World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace, and they resonated deeply, even among those with contrasting political views.
Among the many dignitaries I met were Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, former Foreign Minister of Turkey, who spoke with passion about Palestine; Rosen Plevneliev, former President of Bulgaria, who told me that he will plan a visit to Jamaat’s centre in Kababir; Amr Moussa, former Secretary General of the Arab League, who appreciated my courage and sincerity in a politically sensitive discussion.
I also met Ehud Olmert, former Israeli prime minister, Jeyhun Bayramov, who is Azerbaijan’s minister of Foreign Affairs, the Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović and many others. At every stage, I asked myself: What can I do that aligns with Huzoor’s vision and guidance? With this in mind, I made it a priority to convey the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat in every interaction, and by Allah’s grace, this proved to be the most impactful element.
What astonished me, even more than the forum itself, was how quickly the presence of the Jamaat made me a focal point in discussions. My opinions were not seen as just those of a young legal researcher – they were received with weight because they carried the gravitas of a global community led by Khilafat. I saw how people, presidents, and ministers alike were flabbergasted by the clarity and moral grounding of our perspective.
This was the core of my experience: No matter how well-versed we are in politics, law, or strategy, our greatest asset is our attachment to the institution of Khilafat. It is this attachment that provides not only spiritual strength but also intellectual clarity and moral direction. As a humble servant of the Jamaat, I felt this power tangibly. Our treasure lies not in titles, but in prayers – in being part of a divinely guided community.
The Global Baku Forum gave me many insights, but more importantly, it reaffirmed my faith: We are blessed with leadership that sees far beyond what global powers and think tanks can perceive. I also experienced a fact that not many understand: We as Ahmadis are always at a great advantage on every platform that we appear. You get the sense of duty, not just as a professional in your field but as a representative of the Messiah’s community in this age.May Allah enable us all to recognise the strength of what they have. May we become true ambassadors of peace, justice by being servants of Khilafat. Amin.