cantonrep.com: He’s just 14, but Labeeb Ahmad is mature beyond his years. The St. Thomas Aquinas High School freshman has become an ambassador of sorts for his faith.

Ahmad and his family are adherents of a little-known sect of Islam known as “Ahmadiyya.”

Founded in 1899, the Ahmadiyya Muslim community has about 10 million members in more than 200 countries.

The American community was started in 1921. Regionally, most members worship at the Baitul-Ahad Mosque in Bedford, which was renovated in 1986 from a former Presbyterian church.

Just like the majority of the world’s Muslims, Ahmadis believe in the Koran, the basic tenets of Islam, and eschew extremism and violence.

Where they differ is in their belief that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, India, was the “Imam Mahdi,” or metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth as foretold by the Prophet Muhammad.

“We believe the Promised Messiah (Mirza Ghulam Ahmad) is the second coming of Jesus and the miracles and teachings of him,” Ahmad said.

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