Exclusive to themsulismtimes by Abdul Alim: Over this weekend, while millions of Muslims turned up in a chaotic show of force in Egypt and dozens more were killed in bombings in Pakistan, Syria and Iraq, a little known group of Muslims, living in 200 countries in the world came together to renew their bonds of love and to spread that to all humanity from three different cities, Harrisburg, Haifa and Kurlrushe to the corners of the earth.

Persecuted to almost extinction in Pakistan, deported in hundreds from Saudi Arabia, killed in Indonesia and banned in Iran and many other Muslim countries, this group of Muslims have stood in the face of overwhelming force of violence, bare chested, to dare those who only know hatred – to reply with patience and prayers.

Their patience is embodied in one voice that rises above all hatred – with love –it held them, and healed them. United by its calming effect that reached into the depth of their hearts, the voice of their leader, the Khalifa of Islam, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the fifth spiritual and elected head of the world wide Ahmadiyya movement, they found again a meaning in their lives and a renewed courage to stand up to persecution that haunts them around the world – with a commitment to non-violence.

The Khalifa spoke of returning to the One and ever loving God and exhorted his followers to spread that love around them. His soft toned speech built on how his message – the real Islam – that he represents is getting through, as more people around the globe join the movement despite all the disorder and strife that surrounds them. His speech drew strength from a continued powerful trend of history steered by a divinely guided leadership which has seen this community, starting with just one person, born in a small village of East Punjab, India grow into millions in over a hundred years.  

While hundreds of thousands watched live on television (the community has its own satellite television channel called Muslim Television Ahmadiyya), thousands of women, children and men had gathered in Kurlrushe, Germany, Haifa, Israel and Harrisburg, USA, to listen to other speakers on practical measures that must be taken to raise oneself from base instincts to the higher purpose of human creation – to submit to the love of God – and to serve each other in humility. Others tuned in to twitter, facebook and live streaming on the internet to share and partake of the peace and serenity that pervaded the actual gatherings.

In his unifying messages – delivered over three days of the conventions – addressed to all the humanity, the Khalifa reiterated the need to reform oneself first, rise above the common and the mundane, not only to shun evil but to strive hard to become examples of mutual love and empathy for all irrespective of nationality, caste or creed. This, he said, is the only cure for the current violent path and a destructive end towards which humanity is moving.

In the globally raging sea of murder and mayhem, this small island of hope and peace, cannot be ignored anymore. With a non-exhausting supply of love, tolerance and empathy, the Ahmadiyya community continues to dare the merchants of hatred and evil that theirs is only a short respite. Love and hope are set to win hearts and no one can change it.   

To read more on Ahmadiyya Islam: www.alislam.org

To watch live and repeat telecast: www.mta.tv