Ibtimes.co.uk: Thousands of British Muslims are gathering in Surrey this weekend at a mass peace rally aimed at rejecting religious extremism.
Some 5,000 members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA), the largest Muslim youth group in the UK, will take part in the annual event in Tilford and engage in dialogue aimed at promoting peace and religious tolerance.
Members of the British armed forces, the police, fire brigade and ambulance service are expected to attend the three-day event, which includes sporting competitions, exhibitions and screenings of World Cup games.
The current Caliph of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, who is spiritual leader to millions of Ahmadi Muslims across the globe, will attend the event and address participants.
“Britain has provided a home for people from across the world,” Ahmad said. “As Ahmadi Muslims, we give thanks to queen and country for allowing us to practise our faith freely.
“When we say Islam means peace, we practise that very fact and demonstrate it with our actions. Our ethos is ‘Love for all, hatred for none’.”
Adam Walker, spokesman for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, told IBTimes UK: “During each day of the gathering, all participants offer a verbal pledge of allegiance to the UK. This has been done for decades because for Ahmadi Muslims, loyalty to one’s country is considered an important part of the Islamic faith.