Tens of thousands of Muslims met in the UK this past weekend to reject religious extremism, the so-called Islamic State, and to spread a simple message of peace.
As reported by The Independent, over 30,000 members of he Ahmadiyya Islamic movement met at Oakland Farm in Hampshire for the 50th installment of a three-day annual convention.
Yesterday, the closing day of the meeting, attendees along with the global Caliph of the movement made a vow of peace and allegiance to their home nations.
His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad is reported as saying:
The only thing the terrorists are achieving is to completely violate the teachings of the Holy Quran and of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.
Let it be clear that they are not practising Islam, rather it seems as though they have invented their own hate-filled and poisonous religion.
The Ahmadiyya were founded in India in 1889, with the group’s teachings based upon peace over violence and tolerance over extremism.
President of the UK Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Rafiq Hayat, added:
The 30,000 plus people from over 90 countries gathering at the convention come in the spirit of fraternity – and to give thanks for the security and freedom they have found in Britain.
Many have fled persecution in other countries and together, they will re-affirm their pledge to follow the true teachings of Islam – that are teachings of peace – and to counter all forms of extremism and intolerance.
We have much to be grateful for in Britain which has allowed our community to prosper and contribute to British life for more than 100 years. We count ourselves proud to call ourselves British Ahmadi Muslims.
The official motto of the Ahmadiyya is ‘Love for all, hatred for none’ – a value that everyone in society would do well to embrace, regardless of their heritage.
