Source/Credit: AMJ International
By Web Statement | September 4, 2016
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad addresses non-Ahmadi guests and members of Lajna Imaillah on day 2 of Jalsa Salana Germany
On Saturday 3 September 2016, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad addressed an audience of more than 1,000 non-Ahmadi guests on the second day of the 41st Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Germany.
During his address, His Holiness quoted from the Holy Quran and the practice of the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) to disprove allegations that Islam advocates extremism or violence of any kind.
His Holiness spoke of the increasing instability in Europe in light of recent terror attacks and the continuing effects of the refugee crisis and the rise of far-right nationalist parties in Europe.
His Holiness also referred to the humanitarian activities conducted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in different parts of the world.
Speaking about increasing instability in the world, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“As we join here today, it is an undeniable fact that the world’s peace is teetering on a knife-edge. With each day that passes we witness increasing conflict and uncertainty across the globe. It is a strange and tragic paradox that even though we are more connected than ever before, we are actually growing ever more distant by the day.”
Addressing recent terror attacks in Europe, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Fresh in your mind will be the despicable attacks that have taken place in France and Belgium during the recent past. And above all you will have been enormously distressed and alarmed by the spate of attacks that have taken place here in Germany during the past few months in which innocent people have lost their lives or been badly injured.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:
“Naturally, such attacks have frightened members of the public and instilled a fear of Islam within the hearts and minds of the locals. It is a tragedy of the highest scale that these attacks are being associated with Islam because such atrocities are the polar opposite of what Islam stands for.”
Referring to the refugee crisis in Europe, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“As a result of the refugee crisis, Europe has instantly become a more dangerous and unstable place, as it has created an opportunity for terrorist groups to send their members to this Continent posing as refugees. Apart from any attacks they themselves are involved in, such extremists also seek to spread their networks of terror by radicalising Muslims already living in this part of the world.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:
"Another negative consequence of the refugee crisis has been the hardening in attitude towards immigrants across Europe. In many countries we are seeing far-right nationalist parties gaining influence and popularity."
Regarding a shift in attitude in Germany towards immigrants, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Here in Germany it is obvious that the compassion and warmth that the majority of this nation displayed a year ago towards the refugees has rapidly declined and been replaced by a combination of fear and hostility towards the immigrants. This shift in attitude is worrying, and in particular, the subsequent rise of nationalist parties is a cause of deep concern and a threat to the nation’s peace and security.”
His Holiness called on both host nations and immigrants to fulfil their responsibilities towards each other. He said genuine refugees should be assisted and supported, whilst the immigrants should seek to contribute to the local society as soon as possible.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
"The authorities should seek to help genuine immigrants settle here and to stand upon their own two feet. Immigrants should not simply take benefits from the country they migrate to, rather they should be encouraged to enter the labour force and actively contribute to society as soon as possible. In my view, this would have an instantly positive effect and would lessen the perilous gulf that is opening up between existing citizens and immigrants."
His Holiness quoted chapter 5, verse 9 of the Holy Quran which calls on Muslims to act with justice and fairness even with a one’s enemies or opponents. His Holiness said that Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) was the perfect manifestation of this teaching.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“When a matter came to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) for judgement he did not consider who was his follower and who was his opponent. Rather the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) looked only at what was right, what was fair and what was just.”
His Holiness said that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community sought to establish peace in the world in light of the teachings of Islam.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“It is due only to the fact that we have understood the true meaning of the Holy Quran that we Ahmadi Muslims seek to live our lives in this peaceful fashion. Everything we say and do is inspired by what we have learned from the Holy Quran and from the practice of the Founder of Islam, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).”
Later in his address, His Holiness spoke about the humanitarian projects run by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in various parts of the world. He said that it had established hundreds of schools and dozens of hospitals providing education and healthcare to people living in the most deprived parts of the world, irrespective of social background or belief.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“We do not desire any praise or recognition for our humanitarian efforts, as we are merely following what our religion has taught us. This is true Islam and I am sure you will agree that it is far removed from what is commonly portrayed by the media.”
Earlier in the day, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad directly addressed the members of the Lajna Imaillah (Ladies Auxiliary Organisation) regarding the teachings of Islam in relation to gender equality.
His Holiness rejected the allegation that Islamic teaching promoted gender inequality. He explained that Islam took into account nature and so had allocated differing roles for men and women in some respects, however such differing roles did not undermine the principle of gender equality.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Islam teaches that we should appreciate the fact that naturally there are certain differences between men and women and to disregard this fact entirely is ignorant and unwise.”
-- Germany: Khalifa of Islam speaks of risks of refugee crisis and rise of the Far-Right in Europe
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