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Official Transcript of Tackle by the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Neighborhood on the Inauguration of the Baitus Salam Mosque (Home of Peace) on seventeenth June 2023 in Scunthorpe, UK
After reciting Tashahhud, Ta’awwuz and Bismillah, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba), Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Neighborhood stated:
‘All distinguished friends,
Assalamo Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahe Wa Barakatohu – might peace and blessings of Allah be upon you all.
Initially, I want to sincerely thank all of our friends who’ve joined us for the inauguration of our new mosque right here in Scunthorpe.
Most of our friends are neither instantly affiliated with our neighborhood nor certainly with Islam, and so it’s a testomony to your generosity of coronary heart and kindness that you’ve got accepted our invitation to right now’s occasion.
Providing my appreciation to you is definitely a non secular responsibility as a result of the Holy Founding father of Islam, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), said that an individual who will not be grateful to his fellow human beings can’t be grateful to God Almighty.
So, from a non secular perspective, I’m duty-bound to supply my heartfelt appreciation to all of you.
Unquestionably, we’re delighted to lastly be capable to inaugurate this mosque, particularly on condition that sure hurdles arose through the course of this undertaking, which brought on delays and concern.
For instance, there was some native opposition to this mosque being constructed, however with the Grace of Allah, in the end, all points had been resolved and we had been granted permission to go forward.
For this, I need to categorical my gratitude to the council and related authorities and, certainly, to all members of the neighborhood who supported us in any approach.
Actually, for a non secular particular person, a spot of worship has immense worth and significance.
Certainly, it’s possible you’ll not realise simply how a lot it means to us, as non secular individuals who imagine in God Almighty, to see how, with His mercy and assist, all challenges and obstacles had been overcome, and now our new mosque is full and prepared to be used.
Once more, I reiterate that the place we’re most grateful to God Almighty for His favours, we’re additionally very appreciative of all these individuals who assisted us within the building of this mosque and had been supportive of it.
On this regard, many members of the local people, together with each our members and others, deserve our thanks and prayers.
By way of our members, this mosque was funded purely by the voluntary contributions of Ahmadi Muslims as a way to increase this Home of Allah.
They made very important monetary sacrifices with the pure intention of constructing a mosque the place they might be a part of collectively in a single place to fulfil the rights of worship of Allah the Almighty and of His Creation.
It was their profound need to have a spot of worship that may be a method of making an acceptable surroundings to uphold and apply Islam’s beliefs and values.
Maybe, a few of you’ll be alarmed to listen to me say that this mosque can be a method of practising Islamic teachings or, by my assertion, that the mosque can be a method for our members to uphold Islam’s values.
Such fears are comprehensible, given the local weather during which we dwell, the place there’s a tendency to view Muslims with a level of suspicion and even as extremists based mostly on the portrayal of Islam within the media and the conduct of some extremist people and teams in latest instances.
In consequence, a few of it’s possible you’ll even concern that the opening of this mosque will result in a brand new chapter within the historical past of extremism being written in your area people.
On this regard, relaxation assured that nothing could possibly be farther from the reality.
Islam’s teachings are diametrically against all types of extremism or terrorism.
Islam rejects all types of violence and teaches peace and concord and needs for individuals of all beliefs and religions to dwell amicably along with a spirit of mutual tolerance and compassion.
It requires members of society to unite as human beings, no matter their variations, in a standard trigger of creating peace and safety for all mankind.
By way of the goals of mosques, on one event, the Founding father of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Neighborhood (as) said that if an individual needs to lift consciousness of Islam in any city or place, they need to construct a mosque in that space.
By this, he meant that if a mosque is constructed, non-Muslims will naturally come to look at Islam’s teachings and see the way it promotes a spirit of affection, peace and brotherhood amongst all individuals.
They may see with their very own eyes that the place Muslims are duty-bound to fulfil the rights of Allah the Almighty, the teachings of Islam additionally require them to fulfil the rights of humanity and to hunt the perfect for all individuals, no matter their religion or beliefs.
We, Ahmadi Muslims, advocate and subscribe to those true and peaceable teachings of Islam and reject unequivocally those that search to malign and warp Islam’s noble teachings via their hateful rhetoric and extremist acts.
As I’ve stated, on this period, some individuals take into account Islam as a faith of extremism and turn out to be nervous or fearful simply listening to the phrases ‘Islam’ or ‘mosque’.
Such fears exist as a result of they don’t perceive what Islam is and what the true goals of a mosque are.
They’re solely conscious of the horrific examples of so-called Muslim teams who, as a result of their political and vested pursuits, have introduced Islam in such a heinous and toxic approach that it has brought on immeasurable harm to the identify of Islam and led on to an totally false portrayal of its teachings to take root within the non-Muslim world.
Due to this fact, I want to make it crystal clear that the picture created of Islam by extremists is totally at odds with its precise teachings.
As I’ve stated, Islam’s teachings are of peace, safety and love.
These usually are not simply my private views or empty phrases designed to please or impress you; relatively, these are the teachings of Islam’s Holy E book, which we imagine to be the ultimate law-bearing e book and the direct Phrase of God obtained via revelation by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa).
I’m talking, after all, in regards to the Holy Qur’an, which, for all Muslims, serves as the idea of our beliefs and the way we dwell our lives.
The Holy Qur’an makes it categorically clear that there isn’t a room for extremism or compulsion in non secular issues and that each particular person is free to dwell their life in keeping with their beliefs and customs.
Moreover, wherever Muslims construct Mosques, they’re constructed to emulate and spiritually mirror the true goals of the primary Home of God, the Holy Ka’bah in Makkah, which is essentially the most sacred and holy place in Islam.
Certainly, it’s within the route of the Holy Ka’bah that each Muslim turns in the direction of while providing their prayers.
Relating to the Ka’bah, chapter 3, verse 98 of the Holy Qur’an states that whosoever enters the Sacred Home of Allah ‘enters peace’ – which means {that a} true Muslim, upon getting into a mosque, shall himself enter a state of peace, and shall be a guarantor of peace and safety for others.
There are numerous different Qur’anic statements that additional testify to the peaceable teachings of Islam.
For instance, chapter 25, verse 64 of the Holy Qur’an, states:
“And the true servants of the Gracious God are those that stroll on the earth humbly and when the ignorant handle them, they keep away from them gracefully by saying, ‘Peace’!”
On this verse, Muslims are commanded to stay humble and affected person when topic to harassment and to keep away from conflicts or disputes.
Muslims are taught that no effort needs to be spared in upholding the peace of society – to the extent that the Qur’an instructs Muslims to stroll away within the face of intense provocation and supply ‘Salam’ – that’s, greetings of ‘peace’ – to ignorant and abusive individuals who converse harshly or search confrontation.
Primarily, Islam instructions Muslims to point out the utmost restraint always and teaches that true power of character lies not in responding to hateful assaults or offensive rhetoric in a like trend however relatively by demonstrating endurance and upholding the peace of society.
Nonetheless, some individuals might question that if Islam’s teachings are so peaceable, then why does early Islamic historical past embrace incidents of warfare, and why had been Muslims concerned in battles?
In actuality, these questions point out an ignorance of early Islamic historical past.
Little question, such views have been formed by the opponents of Islam, who’ve introduced solely a part of the story and failed to clarify the correct context of the wars in early Islam.
The fact is that Islam solely permits warfare underneath essentially the most excessive circumstances.
Such permission was granted to the early Muslims just for the sake of creating peace, upholding human rights and guaranteeing freedom of perception and conscience prevailed in society.
There may be not sufficient time to enter element, however suffice to say that after Islam was based, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) and his followers had been subjected to horrific cruelties and sustained oppression.
They had been tortured for his or her beliefs, and plenty of Muslims had been savagely murdered.
After 13 years of relentless persecution, the chilling particulars of which ship shivers down one’s backbone, the Muslims left their properties and migrated from Makkah to Medina.
But nonetheless, the disbelievers of Makkah didn’t allow them to dwell in peace.
As a substitute, they belligerently pursued and waged struggle towards the Muslims as a way to eradicate Islam as soon as and for all.
It was solely then, underneath these excessive circumstances, that Allah the Almighty permitted the Muslims to interact in a purely defensive struggle.
This permission is enshrined in chapter 22, verses 40-41 of the Holy Qur’an, which states:
“Permission to battle is given to these towards whom struggle is made, as a result of they’ve been wronged — and Allah certainly has energy to assist them.
“Those that have been pushed out from their properties unjustly solely as a result of they stated, ‘Our Lord is Allah’ — And if Allah didn’t repel some males via others, there would absolutely have been pulled down cloisters and church buildings and synagogues and mosques, whereby the identify of Allah is oft commemorated.”
In these verses, Allah the Almighty declares that permission to battle was granted to the early Muslims as a result of they had been being mercilessly attacked by individuals who not solely sought to destroy Islam however had an excellent broader agenda – to destroy the establishment of faith itself.
Certainly, it was their resolute goal and agency intention to deliver an finish to all types of non secular freedom.
Thus, permission for a defensive struggle was not granted solely to guard Muslims or the faith of Islam.
As a substitute, the Muslims are commanded by Allah the Almighty to guard the locations of worship of all faiths, be they temples, church buildings, synagogues or in any other case.
While components of the media and the opponents of Islam have lengthy sought to unfairly distort the teachings of Islam, there are some notable exceptions.
For instance, in ‘Folks of the E book: Prophet Muhammad’s Encounters with Christians, the American educational Dr Craig Considine, who has researched early Islamic historical past very diligently, states:
“Muhammad and the believers of the early ummah (Muslim neighborhood) created a nation based upon ally-ship, civility, cross-cultural interactions, freedom of conscience, freedom of faith, freedom of speech, interreligious dialogue, mutual dependency, and non secular pluralism.”
Accordingly, these are the stainless requirements of non secular freedom in keeping with Islam – that each one individuals ought to have the precise to worship in keeping with their non secular beliefs and be free to congregate of their locations of worship.
In essence, Islamic teachings are that Muslims are duty-bound to not solely fulfil the rights of their Creator but in addition to fulfil the rights of mankind, and these are the dual ideas upon which Ahmadi Muslims base their lives.
Shifting ahead to right now, non secular wars are not going down.
Slightly, the conflicts we observe right now are geopolitical in nature.
If Muslims or Muslim nations are taking any half, it’s to fulfil their political ambitions and vested pursuits and never motivated by their faith.
Thus, in right now’s society, it isn’t a query of Muslims towards non-Muslims and nor are wars being fought to eradicate faith.
As well as, it’s incorrect to recommend that battle is proscribed to Muslim international locations.
The non-Muslim world can be engaged in warfare, as we see most prominently in Ukraine.
Therefore, as I’ve stated, the wars going down right now are for territorial or political goals, and it might be wholly unfair to hyperlink them to any faith or non secular beliefs.
By way of Muslims dwelling right here within the Western world, the place non secular freedom exists, it’s their responsibility to stay law-abiding and to attempt to contribute to the progress and prosperity of the nation.
Actually, as residents of this nation, we take into account it our non secular responsibility to be loyal residents and to be grateful that we’re in a position to dwell with non secular freedom and that our human rights are protected.
In return, it’s incumbent upon us to serve society and virtually manifest Islam’s message of peace, love and tolerance.
Because of this, alongside constructing mosques and searching for to convey Islam’s teachings, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Neighborhood locations nice emphasis on serving humanity.
For instance, we have now constructed colleges and hospitals in a few of the most economically disadvantaged and impoverished international locations that present schooling and healthcare to the native individuals.
Additional, our neighborhood is offering entry to wash water to destitute individuals dwelling in distant and underprivileged components of the world by putting in water wells and pumps of their native communities.
Dwelling right here within the West, it’s unimaginable to fathom the dire state of affairs in these under-developed nations the place it is not uncommon for individuals to stroll for miles each day to fill buckets of water for his or her day by day use.
Even that pond water they accumulate is usually contaminated and unsafe.
When our volunteers journey to these distant and difficult lands and set up water pumps or wells of their communities, the happiness and elation of the native individuals is past all measure.
It’s inconceivable for individuals dwelling within the developed world to know the sense of unbridled pleasure they really feel.
Having clear water circulate from a faucet at their doorstep is a genuinely life-changing expertise for such individuals.
Solely if in case you have seen it with your personal eyes can you start to know their joyful feelings.
I must also make clear that each one our humanitarian providers are supplied irrespective of non secular beliefs.
The truth is, most individuals that profit from our colleges, hospitals or different humanitarian initiatives don’t adhere to any faith.
Our efforts are underpinned and impressed by the teachings of Islam and are rendered purely for the sake and betterment of humanity.
We take into account the burdens of the weakest members of society as our personal and that it’s our responsibility to offer assist and luxury to all those that are in want or susceptible.
In brief, Islam’s teachings oblige us to dwell peacefully and to co-exist with different individuals.
It requires us to serve our communities, attempt to counterpoint them and contribute to their growth.
Now this mosque has been opened, I’m positive the native individuals in Scunthorpe and the encompassing areas will see for themselves these true Islamic values in apply.
Consequently, I imagine that if anybody nonetheless harbours any reservations or fears about this mosque, they’ll quickly vanish.
This mosque has been named the ‘Baitus Salam Mosque’, which accurately means the ‘Home of Peace’.
And, in accordance with this identify, I’m assured that the native Ahmadi Muslims can be those that foster peace and love in society, observe the legal guidelines of the land and excel in serving their neighborhood and the broader society. God Prepared, they’ll endlessly replicate the true teachings of Islam.
On the finish, I pray that this mosque proves to be a shining beacon of peace and a method of elevating and strengthening the material of societal cohesion.
Could Allah the Almighty allow the native Ahmadi Muslims to dwell as much as their non secular teachings, and will all of us, for the betterment of our nation and the world at giant, dwell collectively in peace and concord.
With these phrases, I want to reiterate my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for becoming a member of us this night.
Could Allah the Almighty bless you all, Ameen.
Thanks very a lot.’
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