Times of Malta:

A poster campaign against Christmas in the UK has been condemned by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta.

In a statement, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta said it very strongly condemned the campaign by a fanatic Muslim from a banned Islamic hate group.

The fanatics have launched a nationwide poster campaign denouncing Christmas as evil.

It described the campaign as “a most provocative act” that would only cause distress and anger to millions of peace-loving persons worldwide.

“Showing disrespect to any religious event or occasion is a horrific act and is directly contrary to the teachings of all the world’s major religions.”

Such actions, it said, were not a service to humanity or to any religion, but would destroy the peace, tranquillity and serenity of the world.

“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which is a peace loving community, rejects and condemns all acts and forms of disrespect and insult towards other religions, their teachings and their events and celebrations, unreservedly and totally, because it is our deeply rooted belief that not only Islam but no true religion, whatever its name, can permit disrespect or insult towards others.

“The Ahmadiyya community very boldly and loudly, without any fear, speaks against these acts of hatred.”

It wished all Christians a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101224/local/muslims-in-malta-condemn-anti-christmas-poster-campaign

www.di-ve.com

Islamic society Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta has condemned the launch of a poster campaign by some fanatic Muslims from a banned Islamic hate group in UK, against Christmas.

The society said that the nationwide poster campaign denouncing Christmas as evil was a most provocative act and would achieve nothing but to cause distress and anger to millions of peace-loving persons worldwide.

“Showing disrespect to any religious event or occasion is a horrific act and is directly contrary to the teachings of all the world’s major religions,” it said in a statement.

“These actions are not a service to humanity or to any religion, but they will surely destroy the peace, tranquility and serenity of the world. We have to show great respect to all the religions, whatever the name is.”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said it rejected and condemned all acts and forms of disrespect and insult towards other religions, their teachings and their events and celebrations, unreservedly and totally, because it is its deeply rooted belief that not only Islam but no true religion, whatever its name, can permit disrespect or insult towards others.

“This is not a time to sow the seed of hatred, malice, disrespect and intolerance because they will ultimately destroy the peace of our societies and will create disorder on this beautiful planet. But, please, let us sow the seeds of love, harmony, tolerance and universal brotherhood, because these values will grow fruitful trees and gardens of peace, tranquility and serenity for the whole mankind. And let us spread the message of love for all, hatred for none.”

http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=79774&newscategory=31

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta very strongly condemns the launch of a poster campaign by some fanatic Muslim from a banned Islamic hate group in United Kingdom, against Christmas. The fanatics have launched a nationwide poster campaign denouncing Christmas as evil.

This would be a most provocative act and would achieve nothing but to cause distress and anger to millions of peace-loving persons worldwide. Showing disrespect to any religious event or occasion is a horrific act and is directly contrary to the teachings of all the world’s major religions.

These actions are not a service to humanity or to any religion, but they will surely destroy the peace, tranquility and serenity of the world. We have to show great respect to all the religions, whatever the name is.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which is a peace loving community, rejects and condemns all acts and forms of disrespect and insult towards other religions, their teachings and their events and celebrations, unreservedly and totally, because it is our deeply rooted belief that not only Islam but no true religion, whatever its name, can permit disrespect or insult towards others. The Ahmadiyya Community very boldly and loudly, without any fear, speaks against these acts of hatred.  And always promotes tolerance, harmony, universal brotherhood and inter-faith dialogues so that the respect and love among religions can be established.

Today the world needs peace, love and brotherhood. The world needs an end to wars. Instead of walls of hatred being erected we need peace to prevail and for this to occur people of all faiths must join together in love and respect.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat with great sympathy and sincerity appeals to those who have launched this hatred campaign, that this is not a time to sow the seed of hatred, malice, disrespect and intolerance because they will ultimately destroy the peace of our societies and will create disorder on this beautiful planet. But, please, let us sow the seeds of love, harmony, tolerance and universal brotherhood, because these values will grow fruitful trees and gardens of peace, tranquility and serenity for the whole mankind. And let us spread the message of love for all, hatred for none.

Here, may we also take the opportunity to congratulate all our Christian brothers and sisters a very blessed and happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Peace be with us all. Ammen

We live in a world of intolerance and prejudice, where walls of hatred are getting higher and higher, where bridges, the means of uniting, are lacking. We live in a time where selfishness is gaining the upper hand even that, religion which is a great source of building bridges is being used for erecting the walls of malice, enmity and hatred. Religion is being interpreted in wrong ways, for gaining personal ends.

In recent days news attracted the attention of international media; a Christian woman Asia Bibi was sentenced to death by a court on charges of blasphemy. This incident has renewed debate about blasphemy laws, which are no doubt, to persecute religious minorities, fan religious extremism and settle personal scores. All the peace loving people and believers of the freedom of faith and human rights campaigners have condemned the verdict.

One very sad aspect of the story is that many protests are taking place demanding the death of Asia Bibi; some went many steps ahead, like a so-called religious leader Yousef Qureshi, the imam of a major mosque in the northwestern city of Peshawar, Pakistan, who offered a $6,000 equal to 500,000 rupees reward for killing Asia Bibi a victim of blasphemy laws. He said in the presence of a huge crowd of several hundred people that: “Anyone who kills Asia will be given 500,000 rupees in reward from Masjid Mohabat Khan,” referring to his mosque, and said “We expect her to be hanged and if she is not hanged then we will ask Mujahideen and Taliban to kill her.”

No doubt, this is a barbaric, inhuman, cruel and pitiless offer, which has no place in religion or in humanity. We condemn it categorically without any reservations, and appeal to such so-called religious clerics to spread peace, love, and harmony instead of enmity, hatred or malice.

Is Blasphemy a punishable act?

Let us look into some details about this issue of blasphemy. It is said and believed by many people, including unfortunately many Muslims and their leaders, that the punishment for blasphemy is death. Such an assertion is totally incorrect. There is no such penalty prescribed by religion. Not at all.  And it is a significant point to bear in mind that not one protagonist demanding her assassination has quoted a single verse from the Holy Quran as a basis of authority.

The online Wikipedia writes on this subject which is also a clear example of the misinterpretation of these religious leaders who are demanding the death penalty on blasphemy charges. It says:

“Blasphemy in Islam is any irreverent behaviour towards holy personages, religious artifacts, customs, and beliefs that Muslims revere. The Quran and the hadith do not speak about blasphemy. Jurists created the offence, and they made it part of Sharia. Where Sharia pertains, the penalties for blasphemy can include fines, imprisonment, flogging, amputation, crucifixion, hanging, or beheading. Muslim clerics may call for the killing of an alleged blasphemy by issuing a fatwa.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islam_and_blasphemy

If we look into history we find that all the divine teachers, prophets and messengers were blasphemed, maligned, insulted and abused during their life-time. Their followers were subjected to every kind of verbal invective and physical harassment. Many were forced to leave their homes, they were severely persecuted by the people of their time, but there is not a single example that they ever punished anyone on blasphemy charges, nor did they permit their followers to do so. The Prophet Muhammad, peace be on him, forgave the cruel enormities of all his enemies and this was his general attitude throughout his life towards his enemies and blasphemous opponents.

The Holy Qur’an mentions nowhere that the punishment for blasphemy is death, nor even a lesser punishment. As a matter of fact, there is no worldly punishment for this crime. No doubt, according to Islam blasphemy is a crime, very despicable and offensive, but the punishment of that is entirely in the hand of God Almighty. He may punish the culprit here in this life or later. We believe that every person is going to stand accountable before God. On the Day of Judgment, God Almighty will see to it, but He has not authorised anybody in this life to give any punishment whatsoever. I quote here a reference from the Holy Qur’an:

“And He has already revealed to you in the Book that, when you hear the Signs of Allah being denied and mocked at, sit not with them until they engage in a talk other than that; for in that case you would be like them.” (Quran: 4:141)

God Almighty says that when people indulge in committing blasphemy, the only action required from the believers is that they should not keep company with those people and do not sit with them any longer. It should be noted that the punishment for blasphemy is mentioned nowhere.

L-Assoċjazzjoni Aħmadija Musulmana

Il-Komunità Aħmadija Musulmana hija Organizzazzjoni reliġjuża internazzjonali b’fergħat f’aktar minn 193 pajjiż, imferrxa madwar l-Afrika, l-Amerika ta’ Fuq, l-Amerika ta’ Isfel, l-Asja, l-Awstralja u l-Ewropa. Din hija denominazzjoni moderna, b’membri internazzjonali li jgħoddu l-miljuni.

Il-Komunità Aħmadija ġiet stabbilita fl-1889 minn Ħażrat Mirża Gulam Aħmad (1835-1908), f’villaġġ żgħir u remot, Kadjan, fil-Punġab, l-Indja. Huwa ddikjara li kien ir-riformatur ta’ żminijietna, il-Mistenni tal-Komunità dinjija tar-reliġjonijiet (il-Messija u l-Maħdi[i]).

Din il-Komunità li waqqaf hija magħmula mill-messaġġ benevolenti tal-Iżlam – paċi, fraternità universali u dedikazzjoni għar-Rieda t’Alla – fil-forma purissima tagħha.

Ħażrat Mirża Gulam Aħmad ipproklama l-Iżlam bħala r-reliġjon tal-bniedem: ‘’Ir-reliġjon tal-bnedmin tat-triq it-tajba’’ (Il-Koran Imqaddes: 98:6)

B’din il-konvinzjoni, f’temp ta’ seklu, il-Komunità Aħmadija nfirxet madwar id-dinja kollha. Kull fejn ġiet stabbilita din l-Ordni, fittxet li toħloq influwenza kostruttiva tal-Iżlam permezz ta’ proġetti soċjali, istituti edukattivi, servizzi tas-saħħa, pubblikazzjoniet Iżlamiċi u bini ta’ Moskej (li huma l-postijiet ta’ mħabba u paċi), minkejja l-persekuzzjoni ħarxa f’ċerti pajjiżi.

Il-Musulmani Aħmadi[ii] kisbu r-reputazzjoni ta’ nies li jħarsu l-liġijiet, li jridu l-paċi u li għalhekk huma komunità benevolenti.

Il-Komunità Aħmadija fl-Iżlam kienet maħluqa permezz ta’ interċezzjoni divina bl-għan li jagħtu l-ħajja lill-morali Iżlamiċi u l-valuri spiritwali. Hija tinkoraġġixxi d-djalogu bejn reliġjonijiet differenti, filwaqt li tiddefendi l-Iżlam u tipprova tikkoreġi l-miżinterpretazzjonijiet li jeżistu dwar dan it-twemmin.

Hija tħaddan il-prinċipji tal-paċi, tat-tolleranza, tal-imħabba u r-rispett bejn segwaċi ta’ twemmin differenti. Hija żżomm sod u taġixxi fuq it-tagħlim Koraniku. “Mhemmx sfurzar fir-reliġijon.” (Il-Koran Imqaddes: 2:257)

Hija tikkundanna bil-qawwi l-vjolenza u t-terroriżmu ta’ kull għamla jew raġuni.

Din il-Komunità toffri preżentazzjoni ċara tal-għarfien Iżlamiku, il-filosofija, il-moralità u l-ispiritwalità skont kif jippriedka l-Koran Imqaddes u l-prattika (Sunnah) tal-Profeta Qaddis tal-Iżlam Muħammad, il-paċi u l-barka ta’ Alla jkunu miegħu. Il-Komunità Aħmadija temmen u tipprattika l-motto tagħha;

“Imħabba Għal Kulħadd – Mibegħda Għal Ħadd”

Xi Musulmani Aħmadi, bħal Sir Muħammad Żafrullah Khan (li serva bħala l-ewwel ministru tal-affarijiet barranin tal-Pakistan; President tas-17-il Assemblea Ġenerali tal-U.N.O; president u mħallef tal-Qorti internazzjonali tal-Ġustizzja f’Hague), u Dr. Abdus Salam (li ġie ppremjat bil-premju Nobel fil-Fiżika fl-1979), ukoll ġew rikonoxxuti mill-komunità dinjija għas-servizzi u s-suċċessi tagħhom.

Kull Aħmadi li jgħix fi kwalunkwe pajjiż fid-dinja, huwa ċittadin leali tassew ta’ dak il-pajjiż u jħobbu. L-imħabba u l-lealtà lejn pajjiż hija parti integrali fil-fidi ta’ kull Musulman.

Ħażrat Mirża Gulam Aħmad Kadjani (1835-1908), Il-Fundatur tal-Ordni Aħmadija, Il-Messija Mwiegħed u Imam Maħdi (Il-Gwida)

Ħażrat Mirża Gulam Aħmad, il-paċi ta’ Alla tkun miegħu, twieled minn familja nobbli fl-1835 f’Kadjan, villaġġ żgħir fid-distrett ta’ Punġab, fl-Indja.

Studja l-lingwa Persjana u l-Għarbi minn għalliema differenti, tgħallem xi ħwejjeġ fuq il-mediċina minn xi kotba u minn missieru li kien tabib kapaċi ħafna. Mal-imħabba lejn l-istudju, Ħażrat Mirża Gulam Aħmad, il-paċi ta’ Alla tkun miegħu, kien devot ħafna u jagħti qima kbira lil Alla u kien iħobb jgħaddi ż-żmien tiegħu fit-talb u s-supplikazzjoni. Minn età żgħira rċieva r-rivelazzjoni minn Alla kif ukoll viżjonijiet u ħolm li seħħew tassew.

Fl-1868/1869 irċieva r-rivelazzjoni:

“Alla tiegħek ferħan ħafna bix-xogħol li inti għamilt. Hu se jbierkek, għalhekk ir-rejiet se jfittxu l-barka mill-ħwejjeġ tiegħek”

It-tixrid tar-rivelazzjoni u l-viżjoni komplew u fl-1882 irċieva r-rivelazzjoni li wriet biċ-ċar il-pjan ta’ Alla; li hu, Ħażrat Mirża Gulam Aħmad, il-paċi ta’ Alla tkun miegħu, kien se jsir nominat minn Alla biex iservi l-kawża tiegħU. Parti mir-rivelazzjoni li rċieva kienet:

“O Aħmad, Alla bierkek…..

Għid, jiena ordnat biex niggwida d-dinja għat-triq tal-onestà u jiena l-ewwel li nemmen…..

L-għajnuna se tiġi mill-irġiel li qalbhom hija ppreparata skont ir-rivelazzjoni minn Alla nnifsu.”

Fl-1889 huwa stabbilixxa l-Komunità Aħmadija Musulmana taħt il-gwida divina u beda l-missjoni tiegħu biex jerġa’ jqajjem l-Iżlam. Hu ddikjara li kien il-Messija Mwiegħed u l-Maħdi (il-Gwida). Hu ma ġabx leġislazzjoni ġdida, imma ppreżenta l-Iżlam skont il-Koran Imqaddes u kif il-Profeta Muħammad, il-Paċi u l-barka ta’ Alla jkunu miegħu ipprattikah; mingħajr ebda alterazzjonijiet li kienu saru matul iż-żminijiet. Spejga li l-Iżlam huwa r-reliġjon tal-paċi u l-imħabba.

Il-Messija Mwiegħed kiteb aktar minn 84 ktieb, li huma mimlija b’għerf divin, spiritwali u importanti, għandhom it-tagħlim morali wkoll. Hu wkoll għamel ħafna taħditiet fuq aspetti differenti.

Il-Messija Mwiegħed, il-paċi ta’ Alla tkun miegħu, miet fis-26 ta’ Mejju tal-1908. Indifen f’Baħixti Maqbara Kadjan.

Il-Kalifi – Is-Suċċessuri

Wara l-mewt tal-Fundatur, il-Komunità Aħmadija kienet immexxija mis-suċċessuri eletti tiegħu – Kalifi. L-ewwel Kalif kien Ħażrat Maulvi Noor-ud-Din u hu mexxa l-Komunità mill-1908 sal-1914. Fl-1914 Ħażrat Mirża Bashir-ud-Din Maħmud Aħmad kien elett bħala t-tieni Kalif, fejn mexxa l-Komunità għal 51 sena sa’ mewtu fl-1965. Warajh Ħażrat Mirża Nasir Aħmad mexxa għal 17-il sena. Fl-1982 Ħażrat Mirża Taħir Aħmad ġie elett bħala r-raba’ Kalif. Issa, il-Komunità Aħmadija għaddejja fiż-żmien sabiħ tal-ħames Kalif, Ħażrat Mirża Masroor Aħmad, li ġie elett fl-2003. It-titlu uffiċjali tiegħu huwa ‘’Khalifa tul Massih V’’. Hu jżomm il-Komunità Aħmadija dinjija magħquda bħala Komunità waħda.

Il-Ħajja tal-Ħames Kalif tal-Messija, Ħażrat Mirża Masroor Aħmad

Saħibżada[iii] Mirża Masroor Aħmad, il-ħames Kalif tal-Messija twieled fil-15 ta’ Settembru tal-1950 f’Rabwah, il-Pakistan; fil-kwartieri tal-Komunità Aħmadija Musulmana. Huwa iben Ħażrat Mirża Mansoor Aħmad u Ħażrat Nasira Begam. Bużnannuh kien il-Fundatur tal-Ordni Aħmadija Musulmana, Ħażrat Mirża Ghulam Aħmad, minn Kadjan, il-Messija, il-paċi ta’ Alla tkun miegħu. Studja fl-iskola Ogħla ‘Taleem-ul-Iżlam Rabwah’ il-Kulleġġ Rabwah, fil-Pakistan. Fl-1976 għamel Masters fl-Agrikultura Ekonomika ġewwa l-Università tal-Agrikultura f’Faisalabad, fil-Pakistan.

Iżżewweġ fil-31 ta’ Jannar tal-1977 lil Syeda Amtul Sabuħ. Għandhom tifla jisimha Amtul Waris Fateħ u tifel jismu Mirża Waqas Aħmad, li joqogħdu Londra, l-Ingilterra.

Ħażrat Mirża Masroor Aħmad, meta kellu sbatax–il sena sar Musi[iv] (jiġifieri għamel ftehim għall-Wassijat jew it-testment, taħt il-programm li nbeda mill-Messija Mwiegħed, il-paċi ta’ Alla tkun miegħu, fejn beda jagħti 1/10 mill-qligħ u l-propjetajiet tiegħu għall-ħidma tal-Iżlam.)

Fl-1977 huwa ddedika ħajtu għall-ħidma tal-Iżlam u Ħażrat Mirża Nasir Aħmad, it-tielet Kalif tal-Messija bagħtu fil-Gana fejn ħadem fl-Iskola Sekondarja Aħmadija Salaga u fl-Iskola Sekondarja Aħmadija Essarkyir.

Mirża Masroor Aħmad laħaq direttur tar-razzett agrikolu tal-Aħmadija f’Depali, fil-Gana. L-akbar suċċess tiegħu ġewwa l-Gana kien li rnexxielu jkabbar il-qamħ għall-ewwel darba fl-istorja ta’ dan il-pajjiż. Dan serva bħala kontribuzzjoni kbira għall-ekonomija tal-Gana.

Fl-1985 mar lura l-Pakistan u fis-17 ta’ Marzu tal-1985 laħaq bħala Wakilul Maal II, (Direttur tad-Dipartiment tal-Finanzi). Fit-18 ta’ Ġunju tal-1994, ġie mogħti l-kariga ta’ Nażir Ta’leem (Direttur tal-Edukazzjoni) tal-Ordni Aħmadija.

Fl-10 ta’ Diċembru tal-1997 imbagħad ġie mlaħħaq bħala Nażir A’la (Kap Eżekuttiv) tas-Sadr Anġuman Aħmadija Pakistana, u Amir Mukami (il-President Nazzjonali) tal-Ordni Aħmadija Pakistana. Huwa dam f’dawn il-pożizzjonijiet sakemm ġie elett Kalif (Suċċesur). Fi-22 ta’ April tal-2003 fil-11.40 ta’ filgħaxija l-ħin tal-Londra , Saħibżada Mirża Masroor Aħmad kien elett bħala “Khalifa-tul-Massih V” (il-Ħames Suċċessur tal-Messija Mwiegħed). Il-Kalif joqgħod Londra, l-Ingilterra.

It-Taħdita Storika tal-Mexxej tal-Ordni Aħmadija Musulmana

Il-Mexxej tal-Ordni Aħmadija Musulmana għamel dit-taħdita storika fil-Parlament tal-Ingilterra f’Ottubru tal-2008.

F’din il-ġrajja storika fil-Parlament Ingliż, il-Mexxej tal-Ordni Aħmadija Ħażrat Mirża Masroor Aħmad kien mistieden mill-Onorevoli Justine Greening MP biex jagħmel taħdita għall-membri għolja tal-Gvern, membri tal-Parlament u Ambaxxaturi.

Aktar minn 30 membru parlamentari kienu preżenti; fosthom kien hemm l-Onorevoli Hazel Blears MP, is-segretarja tal-istat għall-komunitajiet u l-Gvern lokali; Dominic Grieve MP, Shadow home Secretary u Simon Huges MP, il-President tad-Demokratiċi Liberali.

Il-Mexxej tal-Komunità Aħmadija spjega l-importanza tal-paċi u r-rispett fil-komunitajiet tagħna u qal:

“Jekk Alla Jrid, l-Aħmadija Khilafat dejjem tkun magħrufa bħala dik li tkun fuq quddiem nett biex tmexxi l-kawża għall-paċi u għall-armonija fid-dinja, kif ukoll li tkun leali lejn il-pajjiż fejn il-membri tagħha jkunu joqogħdu….

Hu l-biża’ tiegħi li meta nħarsu lejn id-direzzjoni li fiha mexjin l-affarijiet illum, id-dinamika politika u ekonomika tal-pajjiżi tad-dinja tista’ tressaqna lejn gwerra dinjija. Mhux biss il-pajjiżi foqra tad-dinja, iżda wkoll il-pajjiżi sinjuri li qed jiġu affetwati. Għalhekk, hu d-dmir tas-superpotenzi li joqogħdu bil-qiegħda u jsibu soluzzjoni biex isalvaw l-umanità mix-xifer tad-diżastru…..

Illum, hemm taqlib kbir u nuqqas ta’ kwiet fid-dinja. Qegħdin naraw gwerer fuq skala żgħira jqumu, waqt li f’xi postijiet is-superpotenzi qed jgħidu li qed jippruvaw iġbu l-paċi. Jekk dak kollu li hu meħtieġ mill-ġustizzja ma jintlaħaqx, in-nirien u l-fjami ta’ dawn il-gwerer lokali jistgħu jiskalaw u jinvolvu d-dinja kollha. Għalhekk, hi t-talba umli tiegħi lilkom biex issalvaw id-dinja mill-qerda!

Issa, jien fil-qosor sejjer insemmi dak it-tagħlim tal-Iżlam biex ikun hawn il-paċi fid-dinja, jew kif il-paċi tista’ tiġi stabbilita fid-dinja fid-dawl ta’ dan it-tagħlim. Hija t-talba tiegħi li biex noħolqu l-paċi fid-dinja dawk li qed jiġu ndirizzati l-ewwel, jiġifieri l-Misilmin, ikunu jistgħu jattwawhom, iżda hu d-dmir tal-pajjiżi kollha tad-dinja – superpotenzi jew gvernijiet li jattwawhom…..

F’dan iż-żmien meta d-dinja litteralment inxtorbot biex saret raħal globali f’mod li qatt ħadd ma kien immaġina qabel, għandna nirrealizzaw ir-responsabbiltajiet tagħna bħala bnedmin u għandna nippruvaw nitfgħu l-attenzjoni tagħna biex insolvu dawk l-argumenti importanti għad-diskussjoni fuq id-Drittijiet Umani li jistgħu jgħinu jistabbilixxu paċi fid-dinja. B’mod ċar, dan it-tentattiv għandu jkun ibbażat fuq trattament ugwali għal kulħadd bla diskriminazzjoni u li jattwaw il-ħtiġijiet kollha tal-ġustizzja….

Fost il-problemi tal-lum, spikkat problema waħda, jekk mhux direttament indirettament, minħabba r-reliġjon. Xi gruppi tal-Misilmin qed jagħmlu attakki illegali u jużaw nies li jikkommettu attakki suwiċidali billi jisplodu biex joqtlu u jweġġgħu lil dawk li mhumiex Musulmani, inklużi suldati u nies ċivili innoċenti u fl-istess ħin joqtlu brutalment Musulmani innoċenti u tfal. Dan l-att krudil hu totalment inaċċettabbli għall-Iżlam….

Illum, meta d-dinja qed tiġi maqsuma fi blokki, l-estremiżmu qed jiżdied, u s-sitwazzjoni finanzjarja u ekonomika qed teħżien, hemm ħtieġa urġenti biex inwaqqfu kull xorta ta’ mibegħda u nqiegħdu l-pedamenti tal-paċi. Dan jista’ jsir biss billi nirrispettaw kull xorta ta’ sentimenti ta’ xulxin. Jekk dan mhux se jsir sewwa, bl-onestà u bil-virtù jikber f’ċirkustanzi li ma tikkontrollahomx. Napprezza li pajjiżi tal-Punent ekonomikament sodi ippermettew ġenerożament in-nies ta’ pajjiżi foqra u sotto-żviluppati biex jissetiljaw fil-pajjiżi rispettivi tagħhom u fost dawn hemm Musulmani wkoll…..

Ġustizzja vera teħtieġ li s-sentimenti u l-prattiċi reliġjużi ta’ dawn in-nies għandhom jiġu onorati wkoll. Dan hu l-mod li bih il-paċi tal-moħħ u tan-nies ikunu jistgħu jibqgħu intatti. Għandna niftakru li meta l-paċi tal-moħħ tal-bniedem tiġi ddisturbata, imbagħad il-paċi tal-moħħ tas-soċjetà tkun affettwata wkoll…..

Alla li jista’ kollox jibgħat il-messaġġiera Tiegħu lin-nies biex huma jkunu jistgħu juruhom il-mod li jressqu lin-nies aktar qrib Alla. Fl-istess ħin Alla jgħid li hemm ħelsien totali f’dak li jirrigwarda l-fidi. Skont it-twemmin tagħna, il-premju u l-kastig ikunu wkoll wara l-mewt. Iżda taħt is-sistema mwaqqfa minn Alla, meta xi ħadd jikkommetti krudeltà kontra l-ħolqien Tiegħu u l-ġustizzja u l-mod ġust jiġu njorati, imbagħad bil-liġijiet tan-natura, l-effetti li jiġu wara jkunu jidhru f’din id-dinja wkoll. Reazzjonijiet ħorox kontra inġustizzja bħal din ikunu jidhru u ma jkunx hemm garanzija dwar jekk ir-reazzjoni tkunx tajba jew ħażina…..

Issa nispiċċa dawn il-punti qosra tat-tagħlim tagħna billi nfakkar li l-paċi vera tad-dinja tinstab biss billi nduru lejn Alla. J’Alla Alla jagħmel possibbli li d-dinja tifhem dan il-punt u mbagħad il-bnedmin ikunu jistgħu jaqdu d-dmir lejn id-drittijiet tal-oħrajn.”

Humanity First – (L-Umanità L-Ewwel)

Humanity first hi għaqda nongovernattiva, nonpolitika, nonsettarja, internazzjonali, sostnuta bil-karitajiet u reġistrata f’25 pajjiż. Ilha taħdem fuq proġetti għall-iżvilupp tal-umanità; ħadmet fejn kien hemm diżastri, fosthom terremoti fit-Turkija, fil-Pakistan, fil-Ġappun u l-Iran; fejn seħħew għargħar fl-Afrika u l-Amerika t’isfel; wara maltempati u tsunamis fl-Istati Uniti, l-Indoneżja u l-Bangladexx; fejn kien hemm gwerer fl-Ewropa tal-Lvant u ilha tagħti l-appoġġ tagħha sa mill-1992. Aktar minn 93% tal-fondi li jinġabru f’isem l-organizzazzjoni jmorru għal proġetti umanitarji. Humanity first titmexxa minn voluntiera. Aktar tagħrif jista’ jinstab fuq is-sit elettroniku: http://humanityfirst.org/

MTA – It-Televiżjoni Internazzjonali

L-MTA (Muslim Television Ahmadiyya) ġie stabbilit fl-1992 bi skop li jagħti alternattiva pożittiva fil-midja tad-dinja. Huwa invenzjoni tar-raba’ suċċessur tal-Komunità Aħmadija, Ħażrat Mirża Taħir Aħmad, il-barka tkun fuqu, u mill-bidu tiegħu, l-MTA kien il-mezz uniku f’aspetti diversi. Jiffoka l-aktar fuq il-produzzjoni ta’ programmi li huma interessanti għal nies ta’ kull età, f’kull żmien.

L-MTA mhux dipendenti fuq reklami kummerċjali, imma madankollu jippermetti li jpproduċi varjetajiet ta’ programmi fosthom aħbarijiet internazzjonali, sports, xjenza, mediċina, terapiji alternattivi, tagħlim ta’ lingwi differenti, programmi għat-tfal, dokumentarji, vjaġġar u reliġjon.

Huwa wkoll stazzjon uniku għaliex ixandar f’għadd ta’ lingwi differenti tad-dinja fosthom l-Għarbi, l-Ingliż, il-Franċiż, il-Ġermaniż, it-Tork, is-Swaħili, l-Ispanjol, l-Urdu u oħrajn.

Il-Konvenzjoni Annwali

Fis-27 ta’ Diċembru tal-1891, laqgħa tal-Komunità Aħmadija tal-Iżlam kienet organizzata f’Kadjan, l-Indja u 75 persuna pparteċipew fiha. Il-Konferenza kienet suċċess kbir, u l-Fundatur tal-Komunità Aħmadija fl-Iżlam Ħażrat Mirża Gulam Aħmad – il-Messija Mwiegħed, il-paċi ta’ Alla tkun miegħu, ħabbar li din il-laqgħa kellha tibqa’ tiġi organizzata kull sena u ddum tlett ijiem.

Il-Konvenzjoni hija ġrajja kbira għall-Komunità u organizzata fi żminijiet differenti, għal tlett ijiem f’pajjiżi differenti fid-dinja.

L-għan ta’ dawn il-laqgħat hu li tingħata ħarsa lura lejn ix-xogħol tas-sena li tkun għaddiet u dak li jkun jibbenefika mid-diskussjonijiet u t-taħditiet li jsiru minn diversi skulari u mill-Kalif fuq suġġetti differenti bħal Alla, l-Iżlam, l-Aħmadija, it-tagħlim tar-reliġjonijiet differenti, l-ekonomija, il-problemi soċjali u l-politika u r-rimedji tagħhom.

Il-membri tal-Komunità jiġu minn kull parti tad-dinja għal dawn il-laqgħat. Eluf ta’ nies jipparteċipaw fihom. Numru kbir ta’ mistednin ma jkunux membri tal-Komunità. Xi mistednin onorati u mistednin distinti oħra li wkoll mhumiex Musulmani jagħtu taħdita.

[i] Il-Gwida

[ii] Il-persuna tal-Ordni Aħmadija

[iii] Sinjur

[iv] Ir-raġel li jagħti 1/10 mill-qligħ u l-propjetajiet tiegħu għall-ħidma tal-Iżlam.

Hate crimes against Ahmadi Muslims being investigated

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community which is known a peace loving and law abiding Community worldwide, is facing persecution and hatred in many countries.

Channel 4 news UK 2010-12-06 17:36:16

Watch a 6 minute video clip by Channel 4 News by clicking on the link: click here

Merton councillor given life peerage in religious first for Lords

A Merton councillor and Wimbledon Park resident has been appointed as a member of the House of Lords, the Prime Minister announced this afternoon.

Councillor Tariq Ahmad, a vice-chairman of the Conservative Party, is also the first member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (AMA) to receive a peerage, having served as the association’s national vice-president since 2003.

Coun Ahmad – or Lord Ahmad as he will become known – was appointed in 2008 as David Cameron’s vice-chairman for Cities and was lauded for his wealth of experience as a businessman and his roles in the voluntary sector.

A spokesman for the AMA said: “Tariq is a great ambassador for the whole community and hopefully he will continue to serve all for the good of our entire community.”

A spokesman for Merton Conservatives said there have been no discussions yet about whether Coun Ahmad would continue as a councillor or give up his seat.

Debbie Shears, leader of Merton’s Conservative opposition group, said: “I was extremely pleased to learn that Her Majesty The Queen has agreed to confer a life peerage on Tariq.

“He is a very well respected colleague and member of Merton Council and this honour is thoroughly deserved.

“I have no doubt he will work tirelessly in the House of Lords for the good of our country.

“On behalf of all Conservative councillors here in Merton, I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Tariq and his family.”

In the contemporary world, man, as a whole, has reached a high standard of achievement in material progress. Human society, no doubt, is benefiting from the fruits of today’s scientific progress. The rays of this progress have reached far and far and enlightened the darkest areas of the world. Nevertheless, man is not happy and content. Moreover, the world of today is riddled with a large number of problems.

Drug misuse is a massive problem facing the world today. Children are loosing their lives, dreams and futures to drugs; countless homes have been wrecked and drug related crimes are destroying families and ruining the social fabric of communities.

A recent study in UK shows that ‘Parents are more concerned about drugs than weapons’, it says: ‘‘Parents worry more about their children taking drugs than possessing knives or guns, research suggests. Four in 10 parents said drug use is their biggest fear for their youngsters – 10 times as many as those who say they are concerned about their children carrying weapons (4.7 per cent).’’http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/Parents-more-concerned-about-drugs.6464884.jp

Governments are spending a large amount in tackling drug misuse and fighting the war on drugs. But, governments are not seems to be winning this fighting, as supposed, and worryingly, the number of people turning to drugs is dramatically rising. The fact is that the demand for illicit drugs has risen and is rising sharply. More and more people than ever before are taking drugs. The question arises why are people increasingly turning to drugs?

According to various drug related studies people normally take up drugs for one of the following reasons: deprivation and unemployment, emotional and physical abuse, trauma, pain, stress, boredom, peer pressure, curiosity, wanting to experiment with something new, addiction and the easy availability and cheap price of certain drugs. And the current economic depression is another contributory factor for more people to turn to drugs and gambling and thus lead to more crimes in the society.

Whilst the above explanations may all be valid, what they illustrate is that many people use drugs because there is a void in their lives. A person encountering problems, stress, trauma or even abuse in life turns to drugs as a type of escape boat, something to remove one’s anxieties and depression. Drugs provide a kind of temporary life raft, a relaxing and pleasurable ‘trip’ to escape the harsh realities of life. In times of need, a person may turn to drugs as a remedy for one’s ailments.

But in reality, all the above reasons in favour of drugs are like a mirage in a desert, as the thirsty one thinks it be water until, when he comes up to it, he finds it to be nothing. The drug addicted people also think that these drugs could quench their thirst, but these drugs are no more than a mirage in a desert.

If we ponder over the problem, we find that the man is lacking trust and faith in God, and when there is no trust in God then man tries to relax himself through the drugs. Unfortunately, the reality is, even from these drugs, man does not find himself relaxed and content. What is the way to be happy and to find satisfaction and lasting peace of mind?

The Almighty God says: “Aye! It is in the remembrance of Allah that hearts can find comfort.” O you the restless society, o you the restless world know for certain that true tranquillity, true peace of mind is in the remembrance of God and is in the relationship with God.

This is a great and extremely natural truth. The more the people of the world gain the paltry goods of this life, the greater becomes the hunger and the consequent burning of their hearts. But as for those who seek God, the more they turn to Him, the greater is their peace of mind. This shows that search after God is the innermost yearning of human nature and the real goal of man’s life, and that when that goal is attained man begins to enjoy perfect peace of mind, for then he rests, as it were, in the very lap of the All-Knowing and All-Powerful God, Maker and Controller of the universe. Would to God the people of the world realize this great secret of happiness!

Drug addiction does not only ruin life of someone but it also ruins children, families and societies. And moreover it becomes a social and international crime, which puts all the society at unrest. Drugs create hatred and enmity amongst people, causing murder, violence, immoral behaviour etc. and finally leading a man away from the Creator.

Drugs cause mental and physical damage, are the cause of many crimes, and lead to addiction and serious health issues. Instead it is instructed to establish a close relationship with God, and to ask His mercy in distress, seek His help to fulfill every desire and look for inspiration from Him alone. God, the Creator of the universe and everything in it, can surely remove all the depressions, miseries and sufferings. May God save the world from the threat of drug’s misuse and may the world become a place of lasting peace. Amen

Assalamo Alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatohu which say: ‘May you all live in peace, may you go on enjoying the mercy and infinite blessings of God Almighty.’

These greetings, which we exchange daily with each other, and which we are enjoined by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to extend to all Muslims, friends and strangers, contain the very essence of the teachings of Islam, which means nothing but the unqualified submission to the Will of God Almighty and peace for all.

Since times immemorial, man has, at the hand of man, been suffering all kinds of miseries and cruelties; his rights have been violated; he has become alienated from his own species.

Today, most of the evils humanity is confronted with are rooted in the violation and deprivation of human rights. No doubt in the dark corridors of history, we hear echoes reverberating protest against human sufferings and exploitation. No doubt in these very corridors sometimes we also see a chink of light of hope for man in the form of Charters, such as Magna Carta, English Petition of Rights, The Virginian Declaration of Rights, American Bill of Rights and so on and so forth. However, when we critically look at these various documents, we are a bit disappointed. We soon realise that they are not after all what humanity expected them to be. They disappoint not so much in what they say, but in what they leave out to say. They give no redeeming hope to man, or offer any source of perennial light for humanity. They, if not in their letter, at least in their spirit and the way in which they were composed, and have been understood, interpreted and applied, epitomise the Orwellian formula:

‘All are equal but some are more equal than others.’

(Adapted from Animal Form – Penguin Classic, by G. Orwell).

As far as the U.N.O’s Charter of Human Rights is concerned, by and large its value remains academic, in that it is a testimony to a very important historical fact; namely, that over the centuries man’s conception of human rights has gradually evolved to reach a stage where it could be documented in such detail as we find in the U.N. Charter and subsequent Declarations.

When we make a comparative study of Human Rights as prescribed by Islam and those found elsewhere, we are at once impressed by three facts:

Firstly, for Islam the question of Human Rights is part of a much wider question of rights of all creation of God, and for that matter the Rights of the Creator Himself. We cannot separate the question of Human Rights from the question of, say, the rights of animals. If we do so the very rationale of Human Rights would collapse.

Secondly, all kinds of rights as prescribed by Islam derive their significance from the moral and spiritual values of Islam in which they are firmly embedded and on which they are founded. These values are, in turn, based on the concept of the unity of God. No other view of rights has ever been able to provide such secure foundations for them. The assumptions and the principles on which secular doctrines base the concept of rights are, on examination, found to be either outright untenable or inadequate and flimsy.

Thirdly, Islam deals with all kinds of rights, including human rights, in such profound depth and in such wide range that no secular view has ever been able to cover them in such depth and in such range.

To expand on, and elaborate all these points, doing full justice to the subject is not possible in the short time available. So I shall be selective and brief in my humble presentation, hoping that I shall, in this short time, be able to do at least some justice to the subject.

In Surah Rahman (Ch. 55) verse 10 of the Holy Quran, God Almighty says:

‘Weigh all things with justice and fall not short of the measure.’

That is, God has set up the measure and balance so that order and harmony pervade and govern the entire Universe. It is the right of every creation of God that its order and balance should at no cost be disturbed. We are enjoined to weigh all things with justice and not to fall short of the measure.

Thus ‘Justice’ – the very principle and basis of all rights – is inexorably joined with measure, balance and order of the Universe. The fabric of rights surrounds the entire Universe and is bound up with God-created order, harmony and measure of the Universe; Violate rights in one area and you not only violate rights in other areas but also disturb the balance and order of the Universe.

As there is an all-comprehensive harmony in the whole Universe, man, the crown and the object of creation, is enjoined to maintain a just balance in everything and treat with equity and justice his fellow beings, giving everyone his due, and to avoid extremes and discharge his duties to his Creator and His creations.

Thus, the Islamic view of human rights is pivoted on the overall view of justice, harmony and order in the Universe. This is one foundation on which the entire edifice of Human Rights is built. The other foundation of this edifice is the moral and spiritual values of Islam.

The field of Islamic moral and spiritual values is vast. All other Islamic values, civic, political, social and economic, are determined by these.

However, this fabric of values is based on certain fundamental principles.

Once we grasp these principles we can have an idea of Islamic values. However, within the time available, I can just discuss two of them here.

The first principle can be derived from the following verse of the Holy Quran:

‘O mankind, We have created you from a

male and a female; and We have made you into tribes

and sub-tribes that you may recognise one another.

Verily, the most honourable among you,

in the sight of Allah, is he who is the most

righteous among you. Surely,

Allah is All-knowing, All-Aware.’ (49:14)

The subject we are discussing is vast and the time is short. But before I close I would like to draw your attention to a few excerpts from the writings and recorded sayings of the Promised Messiah, Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (Peace be upon him), the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Community in Islam, which beautifully sum up the teachings of Islam regarding the rights and the brotherhood of mankind. He said:

‘A person can be held to be a Muslim when the whole of his being together with all his faculties, physical and spiritual, is devoted to God. This devotion has two aspects. First, that God Almighty should become the object of worship and the true goal and beloved, and that no one should be associated in His worship and in His love. The second, that one’s life should be devoted to the service of His creatures and to sympathise with them and to share their burdens and sorrows. One should suffer pain to bring them comfort, and one should experience grief to bring them consolation.’ (Aeena Kamalat-e-Islam pp. 559-62).

He further said:

‘Be the true well-wishers of every one. There should be nothing inside you except truth and there should be nothing outside you except truth and sympathy for mankind. If you desire that God should be pleased with you in Heaven, become to each other like real brothers. It is our principle to have sympathy for the whole of mankind. If a person sees that fire has broken out in the house of a Hindu neighbour and he does not get up to help in putting it out, I tell you truly he is not of me. If one of my followers sees a Christian being killed and he does not go to his assistance to rescue him, then I tell you quite truly that he is not of us.’                                             (Malfoozat, viii pp 26-27)

We Ahmadiyya Muslims, not only in Mauritius but everywhere in the world today, are striving to promote, support and create the environment where the dignity of all human beings without any discrimination of faith, race, colour, language or culture is respected and as prescribed in Islam their rights honoured and all kinds of injustice, depravation, oppression, exploitation, violence and brutality eradicated from which man suffers today.

Let us pray that with our slogan ‘Love for all Hatred for None’, we as models of true Islam, fulfil our obligations to God Almighty and to humanity.

And our last words are that all Praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds!

Note: (If you want to get a copy or read the whole Essay – the summary of which is shown above, please contact: amjmalta@gmail.com OR 79320139)

From the Archives:

The world at large is worried about future prospects of world peace.

The pace at which peace is fast disappearing from the world has caused every sane and sensible person to worry. Today, man is riddled with problems that promise a very ominous future for mankind as a whole, and the direction in which things are moving may cause troubles to mankind and may destroy world peace.

Therefore, it is very important to sit down and find a solution to save humanity from the brink of disaster and to spread a message of peace and harmony and of hope for mankind. And to achieve this goal, we should not leave any stone unturned.

Peace is a need of all times and ages. Mankind has always loved peace. Since the beginning of life on this earth, human beings have been struggling to achieve eternal and everlasting peace. So, today, man needs to seriously think about how true peace can be established and how this world can be made a haven of peace.

To bring about peace in the world we must understand the true concepts of justice and equality. The seeds of love, respect and universal brotherhood should be sown. Each other’s sentiments should be honoured and cared for and each other’s rights respected.

Peace requires justice and the rule of law. And if real and long-lasting peace is to be established, then not only justice is required but the strong should treat the weak with equity and in the same manner as one treats one’s dear and beloved ones. Problems cannot be solved with the use of force but through good and just treatment that fosters a feeling of bonding and trust.

The urge for real peace comes from the heart and what comes from the heart is what can be conducive to real peace because it is based on love and warmth.

The idea of universal brotherhood can also foster love, affection and equality. Peace and security cannot be established until people of each race and nation are able to recognise that they are indeed the children of Adam and are, therefore, equal. Different clans and tribes are right to recognise one another. And all mankind is like a family and it can look after the peace and security of each member only if it lives like a close-knit family. Peace and security will prevail when each other’s sentiments are cared for.

As the world draws closer and a global village begins to emerge, there is a need to replace hatred and malice with love, affection and forbearance.

We must be kind, therefore, to our own selves and to our children and generations to come! And we must try to bring about an atmo- sphere of peace, love and respect, so we can pass on something beautiful and valuable to the next generations.

To ensure lasting peace, we must love God because without God there can be no peace. If all human beings live in the love of God, then it will be possible to achieve eternal and everlasting peace. It is my fervent prayer that we all find everlasting peace in this world and in the life to come.

THE TIMES: Wednesday, 17th February 2010

Meta nħarsu lejn l-istorja tal-umanità nsibu li l-bnedmin dejjem kienu fit-tiftixa tal-paċi li tibqa’ għal dejjem. Il-bnedmin kellhom għatx kbir għall-paċi. Fil-qosor, il-paċi baqgħet maħbuba tan-nies ta’ kull età, f’kull żmien u ta’ kull pajjiż tad-dinja.

Aħna ngħixu f’dinja ta’ kompetizzjoni u ta’ għira. Ngħixu f’dinja fejn inċertezzi li qed jikbru kuljum iħassbuna dwar l-istat ta’ paċi fid-dinja. Nemmen, u jien konvint tassew, li dan huwa messaġġ universali, tkun liema tkun ir-reliġjon, ir-razza, in-nazzjonalità jew il-kulur tiegħek.

Illum il-ġurnata s-suġġett tal-paċi u s-sigurtà huwa importanti daqs kemm kien mijiet u eluf ta’ snin ilu. F’dan iż-żmien meta l-bniedem sar iktar ċiviliżat u rċieva ħafna barkiet ta’ Alla, għandna nkunu l-bnedmin tal-paċi. Imma, sfortunatament naraw li hemm ħafna demm tal-bnedmin li qed jixtered madwar id-dinja. Il-bniedem għandu l-għatx tad-demm ta’ ħuh. Hemm nies li qed joqtlu l-ġirien tagħhom, hemm nies li qed ixerrdu d-demm tan-nies ta’ pajjiżhom. Fil-qosor, hemm nuqqas kbir ta’ rispett u ta’ paċi fid-dinja.

Meta naqraw l-istorja tal-bniedem, naraw li sa mill-bidu tal-ħolqien il-bnedmin fuq l-art, Alla bagħat ħafna għalliema reliġjużi, profeti u messaġġiera Tiegħu għall-gwida tal-umanità. U kull wieħed minnhom li kien mibgħut minn Alla ġab il-messaġġ tal-paċi, tas-sigurtà, tal-armonija u tal-imħabba.

Dawn l-għalliema reliġjużi magħżulin minn Alla, li ntbagħtu mis-sema biex jirriformaw l-umanità u jistabbilixxu għaqda ma’ Alla – il-Ħallieq, dejjem ħadmu u talbu biex jagħmlu d-dinja kenn ta’ paċi u l-bnedmin isiru verament il-bnedmin tal-paċi; l-iktar li jħobbu lil Alla u l-iktar li jixtiequ l-paċi lill-oħrajn.

Il-Kotba Mqaddsa kollha għandhom il-messaġġ ċar tal-paċi u tal-imħabba. Fil-Bibbja Mqaddsa naqraw: “Henjin dawk li jġibu l-paċi, għax huma jissejħu wlied Alla. Henjin dawk li huma ppersegwitati minħabba s-sewwa, għax tagħhom hija s-Saltna tas-Smewwiet. Henjin intom, meta jgħajrukom u jippersegwitawkom u jaqilgħu kull xorta ta’ ħażen u gideb kontra tagħkom minħabba fija.” (San Mattew: 5:9-11)

Fil-Koran imqaddes Alla jgħid: “Alla jmexxi lejn it-toroq tal-paċi u tas-sliem lil dawk li jħabirku biex jogħġbu lilu, u bir-rieda Tiegħu joħroġhom mid-dlamijiet lejn id-dawl u jmexxihom lejn triq is-sewwa.” (5:17)

“Ma hemmx ġid f’ħafna konferenzi tagħhom, ħlief ta’ dak li jamar il-karità, jew l-għemil it-tajjeb, jew il-paċi bejn in-nies. Min jagħmel hekk, bix-xewqa li jogħġob lil Alla, se nagħtuh ħlas mill-kbar.” (4:115)

Dawn il-versi juru biċ-ċar li kemm hu sabiħ li naħdmu għall-paċi bejn in-nies, u nwasslu l-messaġġ ta’ paċi lil kulħadd. Dan huwa għemil tajjeb ħafna u għandu ħlas kbir mingħand Alla. Alla jħobb il-paċi, għalhekk jgħid li se jagħti ħlas kbir lil dawk li jħobbu u jipprattikaw il-paċi bejniethom.

Jekk inħarsu lejn is-sitwazzjoni tad-dinja nsibu li d-dinja għandha l-bżonn tal-paċi, tal-imħabba u tal-ħbiberija. Id-dinja trid it-tmiem tal-gwerer. Minflok il-ħitan tal-mibegħda għandna l-bżonn tal-pontijiet li jgħaqqdu, għandna bżonn li l-paċi tostor il-ħażen u dak kollu mnissel minnu, u għal dan biex isir, in-nies ta’ fidi, ta’ kulur, ta’ razza u ta’ nazzjonalità differenti għandhom jingħaqdu flimkien.

Jiena nemmen li aħna bħala bnedmin, jekk nixtiequ, nistgħu nistabbilixxu l-paċi f’soċjetajiet tagħna kif ukoll fid-dinja kollha. Ejjew naħdmu billejl u binhar sabiex nagħmlu d-dinja kenn ta’ paċi. Nemmen u jien konvint tassew li, flimkien kollox hu possibbli.

[Il-Mument: Il-Ħadd 21 ta’ Novembru 2010]

The Times: Saturday, 20th November 2010

Churches, synago gues and mosques are all places of worship where the name of God the creator and lord of the entire universe is oft-commemorated. Thus, they all are very sacred and holy and deserve to be respected and honoured fully, irrespective of the denomination to which they belong.

But, unfortunately, there are some countries that do not allow the building of churches, mosques or other places of worship on their territory. Also, there are some people who are not paying full respect to the places of worship that do not belong to them or which are not the symbols of their religion. However, I believe all places of worship, whatever the religion they belong to, whoever the worshipers, whatever the way they worship God, are sacred and holy and must be respected fully, in every country, in every part of the world and by all people.

I always find it very discomforting reading about sanctions on building places of worship or attacks on such places. I feel a lot of sorrow whenever I read about a place of worship being attacked, damaged, demolished and disrespected. Or about any religious symbol having been dishonoured by the people of other faiths.

I have often been asked a question about a topic I also see many comments and writings on: “Why do Muslim countries not allow the building of churches?” This is a very important and valid question and I will try to shed some light on the matter.

First of all, I would like to say there are many churches in present-day Muslim countries, such as Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Pakistan and Indonesia. This is in line with the freedom of religion that Islam allows. Islam believes in full freedom of faith and rejects any sort of force or violence in matters of religion. The Holy Quran says: “There should be no compulsion in religion’’ (2:257)… “for you is your religion and for me is my religion’’ (109:7).

That is to say, no one has the right to force others into complying with their demands or compelling others to follow their line of thinking. These verses have clearly showed no one has the right to force anyone against his will to believe or to deny any faith or religion. The choice of faith is a personal matter and everyone is allowed to build the place of worship according to his beliefs and he can pray freely.

However, it is right to note that some Muslim countries have gone against this Islamic injunction and prohibited collective worship by non-Muslims.

This is wrong and completely unacceptable. Never did the Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) forbid the building of a church, nor did he order the demolition of a church. There is not even a single example in his entire life when he ever prohibited the building of a church or he ever gave a permission to destroy or demolish a church.

His entire life is a clear example of the freedom of faith. When he migrated to Medina he signed a Constitution with the people of Medina that everyone will be free in his religious matters and they all will be equal in the eyes of the state.

Once, during the time of the Prophet Muhammad, a Christian delegation from Najran came to Medina to have interfaith dialogues with Muslims. The Prophet Muhammad extended to them warm hospitality and had discussions with them for many days in his mosque in Medina, called Mosque of the Prophet. At one time during the talks, the Christian delegation asked for permission to go out for some time. The Prophet Muhammad asked them: “Why do you want to go out?” and they replied: “It is our prayer time and we would like to go out and pray outside this mosque.’’ The Prophet said: “It is also a house of Allah and is built for the purpose of worship; you may pray and worship in this mosque’’. And he spared them the place in his mosque and went out with his companions so the Christians could pray easily according to their faith and beliefs.

This incident and the teachings of the Quran mentioned above clearly show that not only is building churches permitted in Muslim states but Christians are also free to pray in Muslim mosques. And any action against this clear teaching of religious freedom is unacceptable and is totally against the teachings of Islam.

In the light of these teachings, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat has opened the doors of its mosques to all, to the people of different faiths, and it always tries to tie the bonds of love, respect and brotherhood, which the world today needs more than ever before in the history of mankind.

The Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) – the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi says:

“The principle to which we adhere is that we have kindness at heart for the whole of mankind. If anyone sees the house of a Hindu neighbour on fire and does not come forward to help extinguish the fire, most truly I declare that he does not belong to me. If anyone of my followers, having seen someone attempting to murder a Christian does not endeavour to save him, I most truly declare that he does not belong to us. ……….. I love mankind with the love that a compassionate mother has for her children; even more so.”

“There are only two perfect parts of the faith. One is to love God and the other is to love His Creatures so much that you consider their pain to be your own, and to pray for them.’’

“The purpose of the advent of all prophets (peace be upon them all) is shared by them all, and it is to establish the true and real love of God Almighty and to create a special bond of love amongst mankind and one’s brethren and [to honour their] rights. As long as this is not so, all dealings will be mere rituals.’’

“Remember that, according to me, the circle of those to whom kindness must be shown, is vast. No people or individuals should be excluded. I do not tell you, like the ignorant people of this age, to confine your kindness to Muslims. No! I say that you must be kind to all of Allah’s Creatures, whoever or whatever it may be, be it a Hindu or a Muslim or anyone else. I never like the discourse of such people who seek to confine kindness to their own. I repeatedly admonish you that you should never ever restrict your circle of kindness.’’

“To show compassion and kindness to mankind is a great form of worship and is a potent source of winning the pleasure of God Almighty.’’ He describes his desired objective and says:

“My aim and the desired objective is to serve mankind”.

The Gracious God will be Merciful to those who show mercy to others. You show mercy to the dwellers of the earth, and the One in the heavens will have mercy on you.’

Throughout recorded history, philosophers and thinkers have sought to solve the problem of how to establish a balance between the rights and obligations of man. The European Union has dedicated the year 2010 as a year for fighting against poverty.

Poverty, the condition where human beings lack the basic necessities to sustain life, is a pervasive reality in our world. Poverty is generally defined as a situation where individuals lack essential resources to meet not only their material or economic, but also social, physiological and even spiritual needs.

Poverty is increasing all over the world; nearly all the continents are facing this problem and the current economic crises and credit crunch have added fuel to this problem.

When we keenly examine the problems of the world, we find that poverty is a base of many problems. When poverty arises, and rights of poor and needy people are ignored, people start committing crimes to fulfill their needs. Sometimes poverty even forces people on committing suicides, terrorism, killings and thefts etc.

So, it is very important to examine very deeply the reasons of this increasing poverty and to find out the remedies and solutions to this worldwide problem.

To solve this problem the basic principle of justice is required to be practiced in every section of the society. The Islamic concept of absolute justice is all-prevailing and all-pervading. It covers every aspect of Islamic teaching. But that is not all; it goes one step further and attempts to create an attitude whereby the governments and the wealthy are constantly reminded that it is in their own ultimate interest to establish an equitable economic system. They are also constantly exhorted to be on the lookout for the rights of others.

The weak and poor should not be denied their fundamental economic rights such as freedom to choose one’s profession, equal access to opportunities and the basic requirements of life. The lack of this very special attitude has already caused much misery, pain and disorder in the history of human struggle for survival.

There is thus greater emphasis on giving than on taking or keeping. The governments and the wealthy must constantly be on the lookout lest there be a section of society which is deprived of the fundamental human rights to live decently. A truly dedicated state would have felt the need and taken appropriate measures for its fulfilment. Before grief turns into cries and protest and before the need threatens peace and order, the cause of grief must be removed and the need fulfilled.

Among other things, Islam creates an atmosphere where the demand for one’s own rights gives way to regard for the rights of others. The level of consciousness and sensitivity to the suffering of fellow human beings is raised to a degree whereby members of society as a whole are concerned more about what they owe to society than what society owes to them.

In brief, to alleviate poverty from the world we must discharge the rights of others with full generosity and dedication. We must try to be the one who gives and not the one who takes. Everyone should be encouraged to spend money, and to present charity and voluntary services for the mankind. Justice shall not be compromised at any cost. And we must develop the love for humanity, kindness and generosity in our hearts, and a great passion to serve the suffering mankind, only for the sake of God.

May Allah the Almighty shower His great bounties and blessings on humanity, and may all mankind enjoy the paradise in this life and the life to come. Amen

It-Terroriżmu u l-Attakki Suwiċidji

Wieħed mill-karatteristiċi distinti taż-żmien li aħna ngħixu fih huwa l-preżenza tal-vjolenza kbira fis-soċjetajiet tagħna. Xi drabi naraw splużjonijiet ta’ bombi fis-swieq; xi drabi ħajġeks ta’ ajruplani fejn nies huma miżmuma għall-skopijiet politiċi jew personali. Ngħixu fi żmien fejn il-manipulazzjoni u t-telfien ta’ ħajjiet innoċenti saret xi ħaġa tas-soltu. Din il-problema tal-vjolenza qiegħda ddur kullimkien u t-terroriżmu huwa kkunsidrat bħala wieħed mill-ikbar perikli għall-paċi u s-sigurtà fis-soċjetajiet tagħna.

Il-kelma terroriżmu ġiet fl-użu wiesa’ ftit snin ilu biss, pero, issa t-terroriżmu fil-fatt idawwar id-dinja kollha u jidher f’forom varji. Xi drabi nsibu xi Musulmani jew xi gruppi ta’ Musulmani nvoluti f’dawn l-attakki terroristiċi u suwiċidji. U minħabba dawk il-ftit Musulmani, u l-azzjonijiet ħżiena li jwettqu, b’xorti ħażina r-reliġjon tal-Iżlam hija miżmuma responsabbli għall-atti ta’ grupp żgħir ta’ Musulmani, kif ukoll għall-atti ta’ dawk li mhumiex Musulmani.

Nammetti, bla dubju ta’ xejn, li hemm Musulmani wkoll involuti f’attakki terroristiċi u suwiċidji madwar id-dinja f’isem l-Iżlam. B’xorti ħażina, dawk terroristi għandhom appoġġ kbir mill-mexxejja u mill-organizzazzjonijiet reliġjużi. Imma t-terroristi huma grupp żgħir ta’ Musulmani, u fl-aħħar mill-aħħar mhumiex l-ambaxxaturi tal-Iżlam, għaliex huma jaħdmu fuq l-aġendi u l-interessi politiċi jew personali tagħhom biss. Dawk huma n-nies li jkissru l-ftehim u l-liġi u jistħoqqilhom li jiġu kkundannati bil-qawwa u jiġu kkastigati severament skont il-liġi tal-pajjiż għall-atti ħorox u aggressivi tagħhom.

B’xorti ħażina, issa t-terroristi bedew jattakkaw il-Komunità Aħmadija li temmen fil-paċi u diġà qed tbati mill-persekuzzjoni u vjolenza kbira f’ċerti pajjiżi. U ħafna membri ta’ din il-Komunità diġà nqatlu fil-passat.

Il-Komunità Aħmadija tħaddan il-prinċipji tal-paċi, tat-tolleranza, tal-imħabba u r-rispett bejn segwaċi ta’ twemmin differenti. Hija żżomm sod u taġixxi fuq it-tagħlim Koraniku. “Mhemmx sfurzar fir-reliġijon.” (Il-Koran Imqaddes: 2:257)

Fid-28 ta’ Mejju fill-belt ta’ Lahore, fil-Pakistan, it-terroristi attakkaw żewġ moskej tal-Komunità Aħmadija u qatlu aktar minn 95 ruħ u weġġgħu iktar minn 125 Aħmadin innoċenti meta kienu miġburin fit-Talb tal-Ġimgħa. Il-persekuzzjoni kontra l-Komunità Aħmadija ilha tiġri għal ħafna snin, f’ċerti pajjiżi. Ħafna gvernijiet u awtoritajiet huma wkoll involuti f’din il-persekuzzjoni. Ħafna liġijiet diskriminatorji ġew introdotti kontra l-Komunità.

Fil-Pakistan, ħafna konfrenzi ġew organizzati fejn il-mexxejja reliġjużi jagħmlu d-diskorsi tagħhom, u ħafna pamflets u banners jiġu ppublikati bil-messaġġ ċar li l-Aħmadin huma “waġbul qatl” – jiġifieri li għandhom jinqatlu. Huma jinċitaw lin-nies u jgħidulhom li jekk xi ħadd joqtol Aħmadi jmur dritt fil-ġenna.

Jaħasra! Meta sejrin il-bnedmin itemmu l-persekuzzjoni u l-vjolenza kontra xulxin sabiex kulħadd jista’ jemmen u jipprattika r-reliġjon li jħobb għalih innifsu b’independenza, b’ħelsien u bil-libertà kollha.

Il-Musulman veru qatt ma jista’ jagħmel dawk l-affarijiet ħżiena, għaliex fl-Iżlam m’hemm l-ebda spazju għat-terroriżmu u huwa ma jaqbilx mal-idea tat-terroriżmu, jew oħrajn simili bħall-fanatiżmu, fundamentaliżmu u l-attakki suwiċidji u l-Iżlam dejjem jitkellem kontrihom.

Fil-Koran Imqaddes insibu t-tagħlim veru kontra t-terroriżmu kif ukoll attakki suwiċidji. Alla jgħid: ‘Alla ma jħobbx il-ksur tal-paċi’ (K.2 : V.206); ‘Dawk li jagħmlu l-ħsara fl-art huma t-telliefa’ (K.2: V.28); ‘U la tagħmlux inġustizzja fl-art bil-ħsara u bil-ksur tal-paċi’ (K.2 : V.61); ‘Intom li temmnu, obdu lil Alla u obdu lill-Messaġġier, u lil dawk li għandhom l-awtorità fuqkom’ (K.4 : V.60)

Din l-aħħar kwotazzjoni tfisser li kulmin għandu l-awtorità fuqkom, Musulman jew mhux, il-gvern Iżlamiku jew mhux, huwa importanti li jiġu obduti u qatt ma jinkisru l-liġijiet tal-pajjiż.

Kontra l-attakki suwiċida, Alla jgħid: “La toqtlux lilkom infuskom! Alla tabilħaqq huwa Ħanin magħkom. U min jagħmel hekk b’aggressjoni u b’inġustizzja, se naħarquh fin-Nar.” (K.4 : V.30-31).

Wara dan it-tagħlim ċar, dawk il-Musulmani li huma nvoluti fit-terroriżmu jew fl-attakki suwiċidji m’għandhomx ġustifikazzjoni għall-atti tagħhom.

Fil-qosor, l-Iżlam bħala reliġjon huwa r-reliġjon tal-paċi u l-imħabba bħar-reliġjonijiet oħrajn, u jikkundanna attakki krudili u barbari ta’ dix-xorta. Sa ma dak li għandu x’jaqsam mal-Iżlam, l-Iżlam kategorikament jiċħad u jikkundanna kull forma ta’ terroriżmu. Ma jipprovdi l-ebda għata jew ġustifikazzjoni għal kwalunkwe att ta’ vjolenza, kemm jekk issir minn xi indvidwu kif ukoll minn xi grupp jew gvern. Aħna nikkundannaw bil-qawwa kollha kull att u kull forma ta’ terroriżmu għaliex hu t-twemmin tagħna profond li mhux biss l-Iżlam iżda wkoll l-ebda reliġjon vera, hu x’inhu l-isem tagħha, ma tista’ tapprova l-vjolenza u t-tixrid tad-demm ta’ rġiel, nisa u tfal innoċenti f’isem Alla.

Aħna, il-Komunità Aħmadija nwarrbu u nikkundannaw kull forma ta’ terroriżmu, b’mod kategoriku. Aħna, dejjem, mill-bidu sal-lum, b’qawwa kbira nikkundannaw l-użu tal-forza hi x’inhi r-raġuni. U nemmnu fl-imħabba, fil-paċi, fl-armonija, fit-tolleranza u fil-ħbiberija. Il-motto tagħna “Imħabba għal kulħadd, mibegħda għal ħadd” huwa t-tifsira vera tal-fidi tagħna.

Issa, wasal iż-żmien li aħna bħala bnedmin nikkundannaw it-terroriżmu li qed idawwar id-dinja kollha u jagħmel ħsara lis-soċjetajiet sbieħ tagħna bil-kliem u bl-għemil tagħna, u nistabbilixxu l-paċi, l-imħabba, it-tolleranza u l-ħbiberija f’kull naħa tad-dinja.

Laiq Ahmed Atif

President Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta

Illum: Il-Ħadd 04 ta’ Lulju 2010, paġni 18-19: http://newspaper.maltatoday.com.mt/latest_illum

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat community in Malta has strongly condemned the attack on a Baghdad church by extremists on Sunday.

The attack resulted in the death of 58 Christian worshipers, including three priests.

The Ahmadiyya Community said it believed in the Quranic teaching of freedom of faith and worship that: “There should be no compulsion in religion”.

It believed in human dignity and condemned killing for any reason whatsoever – there is no place in Islam for violence, it said adding that Islam strongly establishes freedom of belief and worship and urged protection of places of worship of all faiths.

The community said Muslims were commanded to honour human dignity, and in the early times of Islam when Muslims were given permission for defensive wars, it was forbidden to kill religious leaders – priests or rabbis – in their respective places of worship, and to attack and demolish places of worship.

Muslims were made to promise that they would also help defend the followers of other faiths from unjust and cruel attacks.

“As members of the Ahmadiyya Community, we call on all Muslims to follow the example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) and work to live in harmony with our non-Muslim brothers and sisters.

“We, the members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat express our condolences to the victims’ families in this difficult time and hope for swift action against the perpetrators of this heinous, inhuman and barbaric act.

“And we pray to God the Almighty that He makes this world a haven of peace, tolerance, harmony, liberty and universal brotherhood,” they said.

The Times of Malta : Friday, 5th November 2010

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat strongly condemns the attack on a Baghdad church by extremists on Sunday, which resulted in the death of 58 Christian worshipers, including three priests. The Ahmadiyya Community condemns the attack with strongest terms.

The Ahmadiyya Community believes in the Quranic teaching of freedom of faith and worship that: “There should be no compulsion in religion”. It believes in human dignity and condemns their killing for any reason whatsoever; there is no place in Islam for violence. Islam strongly establishes freedom of belief and worship and urges protection of places of worship of all faiths. God the Almighty says:

“Whosoever killed a person — unless it be for killing a person or for creating disorder in the land — it shall be as if he had killed all mankind; and whoso gave life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind.” (5:33)

This is the clear teaching that the unlawful killing or the shedding of innocent blood of someone is like the killing of the entire human race, that is to say, the taking of a single life is like the massacre of thousands of innocent lives. Now, everyone can very well imagine what kind of sentence would be passed on someone who is found guilty of the taking of thousands of innocent lives. So this is the beautiful teaching given to us by God, and whosoever acts against this, acts against the teachings of God – the Creator.

Muslims are commanded to honour human dignity, and in the early times of Islam when Muslims were given permission for defensive wars, it was forbidden to kill religious leaders – priests or rabbis – in their respective places of worship, and to attack and demolish places of worship. Muslims have been made to promise that they will help defend the followers of other faiths from unjust and cruel attacks as well. For example, in his charter for all time to come addressed to all Christians living as citizens under Muslim rule, the Holy Founder of Islam, states:

“I promise that any monk or wayfarer who will seek my help on the mountains, in forests, deserts or habitations, or in places of worship, I will repel his enemies with my friends and helpers, with all my relatives and with all those who profess to follow me and will defend them, because they are my covenant.

And I will defend the covenanted against the persecution, injury and embarrassment of their enemies in lieu of the poll tax they have promised to pay. If they prefer to defend their properties and persons themselves, they will be allowed to do so and will not be put to any inconvenience on that account.

No bishop will be expelled from his bishopric, no monk from his monastery, no priest from his place of worship, and no pilgrim will be detained in his pilgrimage.

None of their churches and other places of worship will be desolated or destroyed or demolished. No material of their churches will be used to build mosques or houses for the Muslims; any Muslim doing so will be regarded as recalcitrant to Allah and His Prophet.

Every help shall be given them in the repair of their churches. They shall be absolved of wearing arms. They shall be protected by the Muslims. Let this document not be disobeyed till Judgment Day.”

As members of the Ahmadiyya Community, we call on all Muslims to follow the example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) and work to live in harmony with our non-Muslim brothers and sisters.

We, the members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat express my condolences to the victims’ families in this difficult time and hope for swift action against the perpetrators of this heinous, inhuman and barbaric act. And we pray to God the Almighty that He makes this world a haven of peace, tolerance, harmony, liberty and universal brotherhood. Ammen.