“Our Jihad is of love, mercy and compassion” – Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad makes comments during special reception held to mark inauguration of Mahmood Mosque in Regina

On 4 November 2016, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered the keynote address at a special reception held to mark the inauguration of the Mahmood Mosque (Mosque of the Praiseworthy) in Regina, Canada.

The Mosque was officially opened earlier in the day when His Holiness delivered his weekly Friday Sermon from the new Mosque.

More than 180 guests, including the Premier of Saskatchewan, Brad Wall, attended the evening reception held at the Ramada Plaza Hotel in Regina.

During the address, His Holiness reflected upon the true objectives of Mosques and spoke of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s continued commitment to serving humanity.

At the outset, His Holiness spoke about the current situation in the Muslim world, which he described as “extremely precarious and turbulent”.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“We are all well aware of the fact that certain Muslim extremist groups have formed and are perpetrating the most horrific brutalities. Where they are fighting one another, they are also waging wars against their leaders and rulers. Similarly, certain Governments are also failing to fulfill the rights of their citizens and so rebel groups have formed and have risen up in violent opposition.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“As a result of all of this, there has been a complete breakdown in society in some Muslim countries. Rather than living peacefully, those nations are mired in a state of perpetual and utterly senseless cycle of violence and destruction. What is happening can only be deemed as an absolute stain on humanity.”

His Holiness also stated that whilst the local people in Regina and the wider Saskatchewan Province had a good relationship with Ahmadi Muslims, there might be fears amongst the local people that the opening of the Mosque could change the dynamic of that relationship. However, His Holiness counselled against such fears and reassured the local people.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The only plotting that takes place in our Ahmadi Mosques is to determine how we can quell the heartache and grief of those who are bereft and deprived. The only schemes we hatch are to remove the heavy burden of desperation and hopelessness that weigh down those who are consumed by hardship and misfortune.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“You will come to witness that this Mosque will stand as a beacon of light that illuminates society with universal values of benevolence, compassion and grace. You will see how this Mosque will prove to be a glorious symbol of peace, prosperity and sanctuary for all of mankind.”

His Holiness spoke of how Islam’s commitment to serving others was founded upon the teachings of the Holy Quran and the practice of the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him).

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“From every organ, every pore and every fibre of the Holy Prophet’s being gushed forth a spring of eternal mercy and compassion for humanity and so true Muslims, who follow him, can never enter Mosques with ill-intent or a desire to harm others.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“A true Mosque is a guarantor of peace for all people, from all walks of life, and if, God forbid, a Mosque is not built with these virtuous intentions then it is not fulfilling its purpose.”

His Holiness stated that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was constantly engaged in serving humanity and had established schools and hospitals in deprived parts of the world and had also set up a number of other humanitarian projects.

Speaking about the importance of water and the efforts of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to provide access to it in extremely remote parts of the world, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Water is the means of life and yet in many parts of the world there are people who have little or no access to it. In African countries, if it rains their ponds may fill, but quite often there is drought and so the ponds run dry, leading to a grave shortage of water. In fact, even where there is rainfall, those who live in villages or remote areas, still do not have access to clean water because the pond water that they use is contaminated with all kinds of bacteria and toxins.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“It is not even as though such dirty water is available on tap, rather it requires young children to walk several kilometres carrying water vessels balanced on their heads. I personally lived in Africa for a number of years and so I have seen this with my own eyes. At an age when young children should be in school and should be free, they are forced by dire circumstances beyond their control to endure daily routines that are unimaginable to those of us living in the comfort of the West.”

His Holiness contrasted the situation of children in Africa compared to those living in the Western world.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The most we have to worry about here in the Western world is ensuring that our children get to school on time each morning or other similar minor issues. Such insignificant problems are a distant dream for the people living in deprived parts of the world. Those children would give anything for the opportunities that our children have here.”

In order to alleviate such suffering the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was installing solar-pumps and hand-pumps in remote towns and villages.

Speaking of the moment when the African people saw the results of such humanitarian projects, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad:

“After having lived in complete destitution, the look of pure and unbridled joy on the faces of the local people, especially the young children, when they see clean water for the very first time at their doorsteps is a sight to behold. It is as though all of their hopes and dreams have been fulfilled all at once and as though they are the recipients of the entire world’s treasures.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“We, Ahmadi Muslims, take pride in being able to serve such people and consider it a blessing that we are able to provide relief and ease to others because this is the way of Islam.”

Concluding, His Holiness said that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was acting upon the true teachings of Islam and was conducting a true Jihad, which was to serve others and to unite mankind.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Our Jihad is not a Jihad of swords, guns or bombs. Our Jihad is not a Jihad of cruelty, brutality and injustice. Rather, our Jihad is of love, mercy and compassion. Our Jihad is of tolerance, justice and human sympathy. Our Jihad is to fulfill the rights of God Almighty and of His Creation.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“If we have formed any Jihadi group, it is not for the purpose of brutally attacking and killing innocent people, or for launching evil terrorist attacks at clubs, stations or anywhere else, rather it is to establish the rights of all people in all places at all times. To achieve these aims we do not violently brandish swords or fire guns, rather our weapons of choice are love, compassion, sympathy and above all prayer.”

Earlier, a range of dignitaries also addressed the audience, including a welcome address by the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Canada, Mr. Lal Khan Malik.

Hon. Brad Wall, Premier of Saskatchewan, said:

“Your Holiness, we have heard with clarity since your arrival here, and before it, the fundamental principle of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, ‘Love for all and Hatred for none’. This is an injunction that transcends any cultural difference, any spiritual difference, any religious difference. It is a precept that is relevant for each and every one of us.”

Hon. Michael Fougere, Mayor of Regina, said:

“I am honoured to be here and welcome His Holiness to our city and thank you for being here… I am very humbled to be speaking on behalf of all of the city of Regina to say thank you for choosing our city, our province. You make us stronger as a city.”

Mr. Evan Bray, Chief of Police, Regina, said:

“It is a great honour and privilege to attend this event and we are all proud to be part of the opening of this new Mosque.”

The event concluded with a silent prayer led by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad and later His Holiness personally met with the non-Ahmadi guests.

Both prior to and following the event, His Holiness met personally with a range of dignitaries and guests.