By A. Abdul Aziz, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at – Sri Lanka.

 According to our Press Department U.K., the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at and Fifth Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered the keynote address at a special reception held in his honour at the Montage in Beverly Hills, LA on 11 May 2013.

More than 300 politicians, academics and community leaders attended, including the California Lieutenant Governor, mayoral candidate Eric Garcetti, and several members of the United States Congress.

During the event the Los Angeles City Council presented Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad with the golden key to the city, declaring:

“This Key is reserved for only the most honoured people on Earth.”

In his keynote address Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said the American people had no reason to fear Islam because it was a religion that advocated peace, universal human rights and a respect for human dignity.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

 “There is no doubt that the acts of terrorism or extremism some so-called Muslims perpetrate have nothing whatsoever to do with the true teachings of Islam.  The very meaning of ‘Islam’ is peace, security and giving a guarantee of protection against all forms of harm and evil.”

The Khalifa also took the opportunity to unequivocally condemn the recent Boston marathon terrorist attack and to offer his condolences saying:

 “My sympathies are with the victims of the Boston bombing. We condemn that attack in its entirety.”

Speaking about Islam’s commitment to equality and humanity for all people, Ahmadiyya Supreme Head said:

“I believe in that One God who is the Lord of all nations, all races and all religions, and so it becomes impossible that I could ever develop any hatred in my heart for any nation, any race or any religion.”

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