LONDON, November 10, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
Western Europe's largest mosque hosts an historic symposium
A World Muslim Leader, the Caliph of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, has urged political leaders to exert their influence on the Muslim world to stop Islamic militant groups from spreading their message of hate.
During his address at the 11th National Peace Symposium held in London, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad condemned the activities of ISIS and other extremist groups as "entirely un-Islamic".
He stated they do not reflect the true "peaceful values of Islam". He also spoke about the rising number of Muslim youth being globally recruited by ISIS for their "utterly horrific and barbaric" cause.
His Holiness said:
"The actions of this terrorist group are not only impacting Muslim countries, but also countries in Europe and further afield are being affected by its brutalities. We see a disturbing number of Muslim Youth from Europe and other parts of the world who have somehow come to believe that ISIS represents a true picture of Islam and support their ideology. For these reasons they have resolved to help and even fight for them.
"For any peaceful Muslim who understands his faith this is a cause of great sorrow and despair."
During his address His Holiness questioned how such extremist groups were being funded and appealed to the world for peace through justice:
"To simply lay the blame at the feet of Islam or particular groups will not save us from warfare or free us from our responsibilities. Thus all peaceful people should pressurise their governments, and certainly all figures of influence should reflect on this and seek to develop peace in the world by promoting true justice in their respective spheres of influence, by taking firm action to prevent the destruction of world peace completely."
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Peace of 2013 was awarded by His Holiness during the Symposium to the charity Mary's Meals that provides hundreds of thousands of meals and education to children across the developing world. The award comprises of a trophy, a certificate and a cheque for £10,000.
Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, Founder and CEO of Mary's Meals, said:
"I am deeply honoured and moved to receive this award and thank His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad for this honour."
The Symposium was held at Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden, the largest mosque in Western Europe. The event was host to 1000 people including two Secretaries of State, a number of Parliamentarians and Archbishop of Southwark with a message from the Vatican.
Rt Hon Justine Greening MP, Secretary of State for International Development, in commending the Community's global charitable efforts, said:
"A big thank you for all of the work that you do not just for our local communities but communities all over the world; I know how much difference it makes."
Lord Tariq Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister for Communities, said:
"The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is my Community - it is my home and this is my place of worship."
Siobhan McDonaugh, MP for Morden and Mitcham, spoke about the community's support for the British Legion through their poppy appeal and various other community projects. She said:
"It is a community that has always promoted peace and harmony in the world."
Rt Hon Edward Davey MP, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, said:
"It is important that we are coming together under your leadership your Holiness tonight to be a politics of unity, of people coming together, to talk together, to work together, to pray together for a world of unity."
Rafiq Hayat, National President Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK, said:
"His Holiness has provided a compelling analysis of how the actions of ISIS are totally contrary to Islam. The life of the Holy Prophet of Islam and everything he stood for is in stark contrast to what ISIS practises.
"His Holiness made it abundantly clear that a concerted effort needs to be made by all parties to stop the supply lines of ISIS so that its network of terror ends swiftly.
"As we remember the fallen of the First World War we hope that this message of peace reaches the world so that their sacrifices are not in vain."
More information on the event here: http://www.peacesymposium.org.uk
Media Contacts:
Basharat Nazir
media@ahmadiyya.org.uk
Tel +44-(0)7703-483-384
Mahmood Rafiq
Tel +44-(0)7971-060-962
http://www.loveforallhatredfornone.org
http://www.alislam.org
Twitter: @AhmadiyyaUK
