Preaching peace and tolerance in the face of persecution
The leader of a pacific but controversial branch of Islam explains why his sect continues to grow
Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad: based in London, persecuted in Pakistan
On the day that Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad was made caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslims he was terrified. "That day made me very embarrassed," he says, recalling the moment five years ago when the sect elected him Khalifa, leader of the worldwide community. Trained as an agricultural economist in his native Pakistan, and only 53 at the time, he admits that his nerves showed. "When you see the video, you will see me crying . . . If you realise the importance of your work, and your obligations, and that you're going to be answerable to one God . . . that makes you so scared it's unbelievable."
Allah gave him strength, he says. By the next morning the fear had subsided and he set to work from his London base, leading the estimated 70 million Ahmadiyya Muslims in more than 180 countries. The challenge was huge, not least because the sect, which celebrates the centenary of its founder's death this year, is controversial.
Founded in 1889 by an Indian Muslim, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Ahmadiyya movement believes its founder to be the Messiah awaited not only by Muslims, but by Christians, Jews and other faiths. Jesus survived the Crucifixion, Ahmadis believe, eventually dying in Kashmir. For many mainstream Muslims, Ahmadiyya belief contravenes the Prophet Muhammad's status as the final prophet. Some go so far as to call them non-Muslims.
With controversy has come persecution. In Pakistan, Ahmadis are legally a non-Muslim minority, which means blasphemy laws ban them from engaging in Muslim practices, from using mosques and attending Haj to using the Muslim greeting "Salaam".
Worse than discrimination is the physical danger. In the town of Rabwah, the Ahmadi administrative centre in Pakistan, one mosque exhorts followers over minaret loudspeakers to kill Ahmadis. In Indonesia, after a government-appointed panel recommended banning the sect, hundreds of Muslims in western Java set fire to an Ahmadi mosque.
For a movement whose motto is "Love for All, Hatred for None", such venom should shock. But Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, who has the calmness of a Foreign Office mandarin, greets such developments with equanimity. "All the prophets were persecuted," he points out, sitting in a conservatory at the sect's London mosque, elegant in his customary white turban and a dove-grey sherwani. "Other Muslims cannot tolerate \ claim to be a prophet. They see him as a reformer, but as to the claim of prophethood, these mullahs are deadly against it. That is why we are being persecuted."
Persecution has not stopped the sect from growing — by hundreds of thousands of converts a year, claims His Holiness — most notably in Africa. The growth is in part the result of a growing disillusionment with mainstream Islam. "Now \ know the nature of these so-called religious leaders," he says. "They can no longer deceive the Muslim umma."
The Khalifa's emphasis on peace and tolerance stands in striking contrast to the firebrand radicals that make the news pages. In a recent Friday khutba in the marble-and-carpeted elegance of the Baitul Futuh Mosque, he speaks the importance of the path of mercy, asking that Allah grant wisdom to those who might not follow it. The audience — well-dressed men in suits and karakul caps, in turbans and bright African robes, in jeans, with the odd baseball cap worn backwards — is reverent, listening, hushed, to his Urdu, or the English translation on headphones. (The women listen from a separate room, below.) From a booth above the mosque, a sound technician captures the recitation, for broadcast on MTA, a satellite television station for the Ahmadiyya community.
During the sermon, the only hint of danger comes from the young men in dark suits and flat Peshawari caps, flanking the caliph and dotting the mosque. Since an earlier caliph was stabbed during prayers in Pakistan, volunteers have guarded the movement's leaders. "If I were to go back to Pakistan, you would not see me any more," His Holiness says with a rueful smile.
The mosque gives a sense of peace — and striking prosperity. Outside the mosque's homoeopathic clinic — free to all — well-heeled Muslims mingle in a parking lot dotted with Mercedes. Ahmadi Muslims have done well, largely because the movement has emphasised education for both men and women. "The Koran tells us that every nation, every person, has goals to achieve," Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad says. "Without education, you cannot achieve. And you cannot have true knowledge of the Creator, either."
In Britain, the community has produced a clutch of professionals. In Pakistan, despite discrimination, Ahmadi Muslims have studded the top tiers of civil service and the Army. They are active in charity works — schools and wells for Africa, help for disaster victims from Pakistan to New Orleans, and donations for mainstream causes, from Save the Children to the Great Ormond Street Hospital. The essence of being an Ahmadi Muslim, their spiritual leader suggests, is relatively simple. "It's about honesty," he says. "Loving peace. Hard work. And being true to the Creator."
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: <ahm+++@aol.com>
Date: Sun, Jun 15, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Subject: Interview of Hadrat Ameerul Momineen
To: ahm+++@g+++
Cc: bdu+++@qad+++
In the name of Allah, The Gracious, The Merciful
Assalam-o-alaikum wa rehmatullah
Please click on the following. A most balanced and excellent interview in
today's The Times of London accompanied by a beautiful photograph.
Masha'Allah.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article4132236.ece
Jazakallah
wasalam
Shoeb Abulkalam
NY,USA
I thank Carla Power for this beautiful and well ballanced substance. May God Almighty open the hearts and minds of devastating humanbeings and show them the right path (AAmeen)
Fazal Ahmadi, Chennai (Madras), India
I wish the whole world would take notice of such good-natured people. My wish is for peace to spread all over the world and Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmed is doing just that. I thank Carla as well for writing this article.
Haseeb Ahmad, Mississauga, Canada
Thank to both - The Time and Carla - for having the courage to write such an article. For all those who always ask for the moderate Muslims, please learn about Ahmadiyyat.
waseem, Chicago, USA
living in pakistan one tends to forget that media could write something so well balanced..Thank you Carla and Times.
Majid khan, Rabwah, Pakistan
I thank Carla Power for this excellent article by... Just for clarification purposes, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is not celebrating the centenary of its Founder's passing, but in fact is celebrating the centenary of Caliphate which begun after the Founder's passing.
Abid Khan, London, UK
This long-awaited article speaks to the lingering question, "Where have all the Moderate Muslims gone?" Carla Powers shows that they are to be found joining the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and its Caliph (Leader). Kudos to a writer who has beautifully illustrated how a Messianic Muslim group can cause love to prevail over hatred.
Sohail Husain, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
The word Islam means peace and this sect has emobodied peace since its inception over 125 years ago. Thank you for highlighting this.
Mahmood Qureshi MD, Mansfield Center, CT , USA
After Vicky Barker's (ex BBC correspondent) brief introduction
of Ahmadiyya community on World round up a few years ago, this is an important landmark in British media. Special thanks to Carla and Times.
Abdul Nasir, Freehold, NJ, USA
I am very pleased to see such an honest and fare comments. Thank Carla it is greatly appreciated. I wish others can do the same, just observe and find the truth. Thank you again Times.
Shameem Ahmed, Edmonton, Canada
It was a great pleasure to read the truth about the Worldwide Head of our Community in The Times newspaper. Due to discriminatory laws in Pakistan, the UK has become a wonderful host to this Holy and humane person. This gives me such a sense of pride in this country, the place of my birth and my hom
Amtushakoor Ahmed, Hartlepool,
Well done to the Times. When it is all too easy to report on sensational extremeist views, it is a breath of fresh air to read about practical common sense faith that reminds us what faith is really all about.
Dr Aziz Ahmad Hafiz, Bingley, UK
A refreshing, well research and balanced article giving column space to a voice of reason and peace. All those who profess, practice and preach peace should investigate the timeless message of Ahmadiyyat. Other Journalists and editors take note - this article demonstrates journalism at its best.
Mubashar Ahmed, Southall, UK
This community seems to be a lone voice among many muslim sects which propagates the true meaning of Islam and its peacful and simple teachings. What a refreshing change it is to read something postive about Islam in the national press.
Saeed, Grantham, UK
It is refreshing to see an objective view of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the prestigious Times. Carla Power would do well to cover the Community's annual gathering, in July, where the implentation of the teachings of Islam can be observed.
Abdus Salam Sookia, Harrow, Middlesex
In a world that is enveloped in violence and huge misconceptions with regards to Islam and its message of peace I found this article to demonstrate the voice of reason which is much needed in todays media. Well done for writing an article which proves very eloquently the peaceful face of Islam.
Sophia Safi Mahmood, South London, UK
A very well thought out and balanced piece. The Ahmadiyya Community seems to present a model of leadership and faith that all Muslims should emulate. The article demonstrates the need for genuine Khilafat in the Muslim world.
Saleha Safi, South London, UK
After much negative press and much call for Muslims to give positive and firm views against terrorism, it is good to see a Muslim community living by the tue message of Islam . Well done to Clara for writing such an article. A single Islamic voice is what is needed today - maybe this is that voice.
Ahsan Ahmed, Crawley, England
I greatly appreciate this article which shows the moderate, peaceful and true face of Islam. The world needs to see this image of Islam rather than the violence and extremism. It is unfortunate that such a group is persecuted for their beliefs.
Ahmad Chaudhry, New York, United States
Sadly we read on a daily basis articles about some Muslim group or another killing, maiming or exhorting violence. It is so refreshing to read an article that is balanced and offers a positive insight into a Muslim community that is portraying a peaceful interpretation of Islam. Thank you Carla.
Mohammed Rafiuddin, Watford, UK
A very balanced and just article. Thank you, the Times and Carla .
Sarah Waseem , London , UK
I liked the piece. It was balanced and well-written, and it gave a delightfully human face to a peaceful (but much misunderstood, maligned and persecuted) Muslim community in these troubled times. Well done and thank you.
Khalid Khan, Kuwait City, Kuwait
Yes Carla - well written and thank you for sharing our happiness with others. As even non Ahmadies should be rejoycing that this blessed leader is present and guiding. For the World to hear.
It is now the duty of the World to listen, talk and share.
Nadimur Rahman, Morden, England
Carla Power, thank you for this. The above highlights your own integrity in reporting with honesty and fairness.
Shermeen, East Anglia, , UK
'Love for All, Hatred for None' The motto of Ahmadiyya movement is a wake up call to the rest of the world. The world will be a lot more peaceful if they follow the Ahmadiyya movement's example.
Dr Tauseef Khan, London, United Kingdom
Congratulations to the Times and Carla Power for the wonderfully balanced article. I pray it will act as a source of enlightenment for everyone. We need a lot more understanding in this day and age, and anything that promotes the message of peace and it's standard bearers has to be commended.
Mirza Ahmad, Thames Ditton, UK
I really enjoyed this article as it reflects the true teachings of islam."Love for all,Hatred for none." Well done Carla and thank you for taking a step.
Luqman Ahmed, Derby, UK.
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