Calgary Herald: By Mario Toneguzzi.

“His message is one of peace and religious harmony. He’s been working on better interfaith relations and for human rights.”

CALGARY — An internationally-known Muslim leader is visiting Calgary this coming week bringing his message of peace and religious harmony.

His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, leader of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama community, has a number of activities planned including a Friday sermon at the Baitun Nur mosque and a meeting next Saturday with Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

“He’s been working very hard for promoting peace,” says Sultan Mahmood, spokesperson of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama in Calgary. “He’s striving and working hard to promote peace and unity between various faiths.

The spiritual leader, who is based in London, England, has visited Calgary twice before.

In 2005, he was here to lay down the foundation for the new mosque. In 2008, he was here to officially open the mosque.

The local community has just under 3,000 members.

The spiritual leader is the fifth Khalifa (Caliph) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He was elected to this lifelong position on April 22, 2003.

He arrived in Vancouver on Thursday.

During his visit, he will inaugurate the Baitul Rahman Mosque (House of the Gracious God). The inauguration will take place on Saturday.

 

mtoneguzzi@calgaryherald.com

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