The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is pleased to announce that on 18 March 2012, its world leader, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Fifth Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, inaugurated the new Baitul Ghafoor Mosque in Halesowen, a town in the West Midlands.

Upon arriving at the premises, His Holiness officially inaugurated the Mosque by unveiling a commemorative plaque and then offering a silent prayer in thanks to God Almighty. Thereafter a tree was planted by His Holiness to further mark the occasion.

After offering prayers in the Mosque, His Holiness held an audience with local Ahmadi Muslims, in which he reminded them of the great debt they owed the United Kingdom where they were able to practice their religion freely, which was a right denied to them in Pakistan.

An afternoon reception was then held to mark the opening of the Mosque and this was attended by dignitaries and guests from various backgrounds. Phil Bennion, MEP for West Midlands, said that it was a true ‘ privilege’ to attend the opening of the Mosque and he pledged to always be ready to assist the Ahmadiyya Community in its efforts to promote peace and understanding. James Morris, MP for Halesowen and Rowely Regis said that it was a ‘great honour’ for him to welcome Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad to his local constituency. Councillor Michael Evans, Mayor of Dudley Council, praised the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for raising hundreds of thousands of pounds each year for UK charities.

The highlight of the event was the keynote address delivered by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad during which he outlined the key objectives with which the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, was sent by God Almighty as the Promised Messiah.

The Promised Messiah had been sent to bring mankind closer to God Almighty, to make the world aware of the need to fulfil the rights of God’s Creation and to bring an end to all religious warfare. His Holiness said that this was not a new teaching but the same teaching that had been brought by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

His Holiness also used his address to highlight the plight of those suffering from poverty and deprivation. He said those who were in a position to help had a moral duty to do so. In this regard His Holiness said:

“When destitute people feel that their deprivation has reached its peak, then it leads to the spread of restlessness and disorder throughout society and so ultimately the peace and tranquillity of the community is shattered. Therefore helping deprived people has multiple benefits, because where on the one hand, it helps to bring man closer to God, on the other it leads to the creation of a peaceful and harmonious environment. This is because those who were once impoverished, are finally able to stand upon their own two feet and gain self-respect and dignity.”

Speaking about the efforts of the Ahmadiyya Community towards sering humanity, His Holiness said:

“We, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, have a passionate desire to serve humanity. And whilst we do not have huge resources, still the members of our Community give generously in alms, according to their abilities, out of a desire for piety and in an effort to relieve the pain and suffering of humanity. Under the supervision and management of our Jamaat, many schools, hospitals, orphanages and various other projects are being established and administered in the poorer countries of the world. Our services are rendered irrespective of religious, ethnic or social background.”

His Holiness concluded his address by speaking about the true and peaceful teachings of Islam. Addressing the ways in which the Ahmadiyya Community chose to propagate its message, based on the true teachings of Islam, His Holiness explained:

“The Founder of the Ahmadiyya Community taught us that, today rather than using the sword, we must use the pen to spread the beautiful characteristics of Islam in the form of books, literature, and through the media. And also we must utilise all other positive means of educating the world about Islam’s real and loving teachings. This is the ‘Jihad of the Pen’ which the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) brought and which he taught and this alone is a representation of true Islam. We, Ahmadi Muslims, follow this Islam, and it is this Islam that we spread and convey to others.”

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Further Info: press@ahmadiyya.org.uk