A key to peace: global unity (I)

On 3-4 December 2012, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masrur Ahmad, the Fifth Khalifa, Leader of the International Ahmadiyya Community of Islam, paid his first visit to the European Parliament in Brussels, and delivered a historic speech to a packed auditorium of over 350 people from thirty countries. The event was organised by the All Party Group of the European Parliament "Friends of Ahmadi Muslims", chaired by Dr Charles Tannock MEP. It is a cross-party, pan-European group of MEPs, set up to promote the Ahmadiyya Community of Islam within the European Parliament and to further its interests in Europe and the rest of the world. During the visit, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masrur Ahmad also held a series of meetings with parliamentarians and dignitaries.

On 4 December, prior to the main event and His Holiness' speech, an international press conference was held in the press room of the European Parliament. His Holiness answered questions from different media during the forty-minute conference, which was attended by journalists and media organisations from the UK, Spain, France, Belgium, Pakistan and other countries. In response to a question from the BBC about the role of Islam in the world, His Holiness said that "Islam's message of peace is universal; that is why our motto is 'love for all, hate for none'". In response to another question from a Spanish media representative, His Holiness said that all the great religions in their original state taught a message of peace and therefore true Muslims believe in all the Prophets; each Prophet brought the message of one God. In response to another question, asked by a Maltese media representative, His Holiness said that the duty of the Ahmadi Muslims was to bring humanity closer to God, and to make human beings aware of their duty to safeguard the rights of others.

The main event took place in front of a packed auditorium. The President and Vice-Presidents of the European Parliament Group 'Friends of the Muslim Ahmadis' took the stage to welcome His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masrur Ahmad, Leader of the International Ahmadiyya Community of Islam. The then MEP and President of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, also came specially to meet His Holiness. Before His Holiness' speech, some MEPs addressed the audience and spoke of their admiration for the peaceful Islam promoted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Dr. Charles Tannock MEP, President of the European Parliament Group "Friends of Ahmadi Muslims", said that "Ahmadi Muslims are an excellent example of tolerance in the world". 

The following is the historic speech delivered by His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masrur Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, International Supreme Leader of the Ahmadiyya Community of Islam.

Bismil'lahir-Rahmanir-Rahim: In the name of Al'lah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 

Distinguished guests: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatul'lahi wa barakatohu, may the peace and blessings of Al'lah be upon you.  

First of all I would like to thank the organisers of this event for giving me the opportunity to speak to all of you here in the European Parliament. I would also like to thank all the delegates, representatives of the different countries and other guests, who have made a great effort to attend this event. 

People who are familiar with the Jama'at or Ahmadiyya Community, and even those who are less informed but have contact with Ahmadis, are fully aware of how, on behalf of the Community, we constantly draw the world's attention to the need to establish peace and security. We certainly make every effort, within our capacity, towards the achievement of these goals.

As the Leader of the Ahmadiyya Jama'at Islam (Ahmadiyya Muslim Community), I address these issues whenever the opportunity arises. The fact that I speak of the need for peace and mutual love is not due to any new doctrine imparted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. While it is true that achieving peace and reconciliation was one of the main objectives of the advent of the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Community of Islam, it is also true that all our efforts are due to the teachings imparted by the Founder of Islam, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).  

Unfortunately, in the 1400 years after the time of the Holy Prophet (lpbD), his teachings fell into oblivion by most Muslims. Therefore, in order to rejuvenate true Islam, Al'lah Almighty sent, in accordance with the prophethood of the Holy Prophet of Islam (lpbD), the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (lpD) from Qadian (India). I would like to ask everyone to keep this point in consideration as I speak to you about the teachings of Islam in relation to the development of peace and harmony in the world.

I should also mention that "peace" and "security" are multi-faceted. Each individual aspect is important in itself but, at the same time, the path that links each aspect is also very important. For example, the basic building block necessary for peace in society is tranquillity and harmony in the family home. The situation within a household is not restricted to that household, but has a knock-on effect on the tranquillity of the area, which in turn affects the peace of the town or city at large. If there are disturbances in the household, they negatively affect its surroundings, and these in turn affect the village or town as a whole. In the same way, the state of the town or city affects the peace of the whole country, and, finally, the state of a nation affects the peace and harmony of the region, or the whole world. It thus becomes evident that when we pretend to deal with a single aspect of peace, we realise that its scope is not limited, but very extensive.  

In the same way, we see that where there is a lack of peace, different methods of conflict resolution are required, depending on the underlying problems, and on the particular aspects of peace and security that have been violated. If we bear this in mind, it becomes obvious that to address and deal with these issues in detail and comprehensively, much more time is required than is available today. In any case, I will try to cover at least some aspects of the true teachings of Islam.  

In the modern world there are many people who object to Islam and attribute to the religion a large part of the blame for the discord and conflicts present in the world. These accusations are made, despite the fact that the very meaning of the word Islam is "peace" and "security". Islam, on the other hand, is the religion that offers specific guidance on how to create peace by presenting specific rules.

Before I go on to present you with a picture of Islam's true teachings of peace, I would like to comment briefly on the current state of the world. I am sure you are all well versed in this matter, but I will still mention it so that you will keep it in mind when I talk about Islam's teachings on peace and harmony.  

We are all aware and accept that the world today has become a global village. We are connected through various means, whether through modern means of transportation, through the media and the internet, or through other means. All these factors bring the nations of the world closer together than ever before. We see how in the larger countries, people of all races have settled and live together. There is in fact in several countries a significant population of foreign immigrants, who have integrated in such a way that it would be very difficult - almost impossible - for governments or native people to expel them. Although attempts have been made to limit immigration and restrictions have been put in place, there are still avenues by which a citizen of one nation can enter another country. Indeed, apart from illegal immigration, there are international laws in favour of those who are forced to migrate for genuine reasons.

It can also be seen how mass immigration is leading to increased unrest and disorder in some countries. Responsibility for this lies with both the immigrants and the local population. On the one hand, some immigrants provoke the locals by refusing to integrate to any extent, while on the other hand, some locals display intolerance and unfriendliness. Sometimes hatred boils over to a very dangerous level. In particular and often, the local population in the West manifests its hatred or enmity towards Islam in reaction to the negative behaviour of some Muslims, mostly immigrants. This anger and reaction is not only manifested on a small scale, but can and does reach extreme levels. Hence, Western leaders regularly talk about these problems. Thus, on certain occasions, the German Chancellor speaks of Muslims as a part of Germany; or the UK Prime Minister speaks of the need to integrate Muslims; yet other leaders of certain countries go so far as to admonish Muslims.

(lpbD) - peace and blessings of God be upon him. 

(lpd) - peace be upon him. 

(We will continue this discourse in the next instalment: "A Key to Peace: Global Unity (II)").