Special Message from His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to the Pan-African Peace Symposium 2024
Distinguished Guests,
(May peace and blessings of Allah be upon you)
I am extremely pleased that, with the Grace of Allah, the Pan-African Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK is once again holding a Peace Symposium. I pray the event is successful in all respects and extend my best wishes to all participants.
We live in an era of grave uncertainty, as inequality and injustice has taken root globally. As such, it is the critical need of the hour that mankind focuses its efforts upon ensuring the peace and stability of the world. Therefore, at every opportunity and upon every platform available to us, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is dedicated to promoting peace and seeks to bring people from all walks of life together in order to foster unity and understanding. Indeed, this has always been our objective because the Founder of our Community, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (peace be upon him) repeatedly stressed the paramount importance of fulfilling the rights of our fellow human beings and to manifest love, grace and compassion towards one another. In fact, he stated that he had been sent by Allah the Almighty with two overarching objectives – firstly, to draw mankind closer to its Creator and secondly, to urge all people to fulfil the rights of God’s Creation. He stated that, instead of seeking to usurp the rights of others, human beings, irrespective of their differences, should live in peace and endeavour to cultivate a society based on love, respect and tolerance.
As mentioned, we are passing through an extremely turbulent and dangerous time, in which wars and conflicts are intensifying with each passing day. Scores of innocent people, including defenceless women and children, are being mercilessly targeted in various parts of the world, with hospitals bombed, schools attacked and families torn apart. Nations are becoming increasingly divided, as hatred and intolerance against immigrants or minorities is being fuelled by those who exploit fear and deliberately sow discord. Moreover, at an international level, the world is becoming more and more polarised and opposing blocs have formed. Rather than being guided and directed by justice and fairness, it is these self-serving alliances that are shaping the foreign policies of nations and driving humanity towards destruction. Not only is there a threat of grave economic consequences for nations but, far beyond that, there is a rapidly growing risk of another world war igniting. Such warfare will leave an indelible stain of brutality and inhumanity on history and lead to decades of misery, trauma and despair. Moreover, if, God forbid, nuclear weapons are utilised the scale of the destruction that will ensue is beyond all comprehension. Not only will countless lives be lost in the immediate aftermath but, due to the lasting effects of radiation, children will be born for generations to come with birth defects, disabilities, genetic disorders and other dangerous diseases. Thus, instead of looking back at their forefathers with pride and affection, those who follow us will be filled with rage and hatred for those who came before them.
In the face of these global threats, it is necessary that the people of Africa, including its diaspora, realise their true value and recognise the immense role they can play in the future of the world. Whilst in the eyes of the rich and powerful, Africa is deemed weak and powerless, I consider Africa to be a great continent that has the potential to lead the world – so long as its people are united. Accordingly, all Africans, irrespective of their national, tribal or religious differences, must strive to unite. Furthermore, the people of Africa must free themselves from all forms of deception, corruption or dishonesty and be prepared to work hard and to make sacrifices for their nations. Your nations must focus upon raising their educational standards – especially of their youth, so that the African people may rise up through the enduring power of education and knowledge.
If, God forbid, a world war occurs, it is likely to engulf much of the world, including the dominant powers of the Western world. At such a time, other nations will have to step into the void of leadership and seek to rebuild the world and to guide mankind back towards peace and prosperity. It is possible, and indeed I hope, that the African nations shall be spared from the worst consequences of such warfare. Therefore, as a Continent, your nations must ready themselves for a future in which Africa can lead and guide the world. For this, you must, as I have already said, be committed to ending all forms of corruption and striving to raise the standards of your people in all respects.
May it be that all African people recognise the importance of spiritually and morally reforming and bettering themselves for the sake of the development of their continent and the wider world. If you all understand your potential and objectives and strive earnestly towards fulfilling them, I have no doubt that Africa will prosper, Insha’Allah. Certainly, it is my sincere prayer that Allah the Almighty grants the African people the abilities and qualities required to lead and guide the world in the future.
At the end, I pray that may Allah the Almighty enable all African nations and their people to continually progress and develop and may your nations become beacons of upholding the principles of justice, truth and integrity. Above all, may your nations and people be those who truly fulfil the rights of God Almighty and of His Creation. Ameen.
Wassalam,
Yours sincerely,
MIRZA MASROOR AHMAD
Khalifatul Masih V
Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
