– “Love for all, hate for none” or “love for all, no hatred for anyone” is the slogan of the Ahmadiyah congregation. The posters were scattered at the British Jalsa Salana grand meeting which was held at the end of July 2023. A number of city buses in London also carried a similar message in 2014, as part of a campaign against two things: extremism in the name of religion, and vice versa, Islamophobia.
The Amir of the Indonesian Ahmadiyya Congregation (JAI), Maulana Mirajudin Sahid explained, this motto is in accordance with the guidance of the Prophet Muhammad. That Islam is actually a bringer of peace and rahmatan lil alamin or a blessing to the universe. “When the world was in a state of shock, fighting each other, killing each other, Ahmadiyah wanted to strengthen the mission of the Prophet Muhammad,” he told Liputan6.com. “So that there will no longer be hatred, killing, strife and war that harm humans.”
As quoted from the BBC, based on the book “Islam and the Ahmadiyya Jama’at” written by Simon Valentine, Ahmadiyah has chosen the path of non-violence and tolerance towards different religions and beliefs. They have a ‘missionary’ strategy, by sending scholars to spread teachings and provide services. Ahmadiyya has strong networks in the UK, Europe, America, Africa and parts of Asia. Construction of the mosque is a priority.
In 1982, the Ahmadis established the first mosque in Spain since the end of Islamic civilization in the country, which was marked by the expulsion of the Moors in 1492.
The slogan “love for all, hate for none” appears related to the construction of the mosque. Its originator was the Third Khalifah of the Ahmadiyya, Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad. At that time, October 9, 1980, during a series of visits to Europe, he arrived in Spain. There, the first stone for the construction of the Basharat Mosque was laid. It is located in Pedro Abad, northeast of Cordoba, the former capital of Andalusia. In the event, Khalifah III of Ahmadiyah underlined the importance of building a mosque. He also emphasized that in the eyes of the Creator, all humans are the same. Regardless of rich or poor, educated or illiterate. That Islam teaches us to love and care for one another, and to be humble.
“Teaching us that there is no difference between a Muslim or a non-Muslim. My message to everyone is that we must have an attitude of ‘love for all, no hatred for anyone’,” he said, as quoted from the site trueislam.co.uk . “Love for all, hate for none” also means moving forward, by forgiving the dark history of the past, especially in Spain.
In the 8th Century, Spain or Andalusia was ruled by the Moors. Islamic civilization in Cordoba is described as very advanced. In comparison, the scribes there produced 60,000 books a year, while the other largest libraries in Europe only had 600. Moorish rule ended by reconquista or reconquest by the forces of Queen Isabella and King Fernando. And several centuries later, a great tragedy occurred.
On April 9, 1609, King Philip III ordered the expulsion of around 300 thousand residents of Muslim descent who were forced to convert (morisco). They were persecuted for allegedly carrying out Islamic teachings. This event became a black spot in Spanish history.
Categories: Ahmadis, Europe, Europe and Australia, European Union, Indonesia, Spain, UK