http://www.khalifaofislam.com: Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad addresses Canada’s first National Peace Symposium
On 22 October 2016, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered the keynote address at the 1st National Peace Symposium hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Canada.
The event was held at the Baitul Islam Mosque in Peace Village, Vaughan, with an audience of over 600 people, comprising government officials, including the Mayor of Vaughan, Hon. Maurizio Bevilacqua, Member of Parliament, Deb Schulte, and City Councillor, Marilyn Iafrate.
During his keynote address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was an entirely peaceful sect of Islam because it followed the true teachings of Islam. Hence it should not be considered to be a ‘liberal’ or ‘reformist’group.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“It is absolutely true that we, Ahmadi Muslims, are peace-loving and seek to build bridges of love and hope between different religions and different communities. However, this is not because we have deviated from Islam or ‘modernised’ it in any shape or form. Rather, it is because we follow Islam’s authentic teachings.”
His Holiness referred to a saying of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), that Muslims should love for others what they love for themselves. His Holiness said this principle laid down the foundations for peace and it was incumbent on Muslims to reflect upon this.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Do we have ambitions to be mired in poverty and to go to bed hungry every night? Do we want our children to be plagued by ill-health, to be uneducated and to be placed in danger? Of course, no normal person would ever hope for any of these things. Therefore, as Muslims, we must seek prosperity not only for ourselves but also for others.”