Celebrating 125 years (1889 – 2014)
The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him)–A Reformer for All Religions
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a global Muslim community that has evolved from humble beginnings into one of the world’s most dynamic spiritual, social and humanitarian movements. Founded in 1889 in the remote village of Qadian India, it is the only Islamic organisation to believe that the long-awaited messiah has come in the person of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be upon him).
Prophecies relating to the advent of such a reformer are found in several religions, however, a multitude of reformers would create confusion. For true peace to prevail such prophecies must refer to the advent of a single reformer who would unite mankind under a single message of peace through the revival of Islam as its teachings are timeless and, uniquely, they uphold and encompass the truth of all previous religions.
The Divine mission of the Promised Messiah was therefore not to bring a new faith or scripture but to revive the beauty of religious harmony as perfected in Islam. He vigorously championed Islam’s peaceful teachings and divested Islam of fanatical beliefs. This, he argued was the true Islam as taught by the Holy Qur’an and as
reflected in the noble life of the founder of Islam, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad claimed under Divine guidance that he was that reformer who was promised for the latter days in fulfilment of the prophecies in Islam relating to the Promised Messiah and Imam Al-Mahdi (ie the Guided Leader) as well as the prophecies relating to the second spiritual coming of Jesus, Krishna,
Buddha (peace be on them all) and other prophets of Allah. The Community now spans 204 countries with a membership of tens of millions and it seeks to promote the peaceful message of Islam with an emphasis on belief in God, prayer and service to humanity.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the leading Islamic organisation to categorically reject terrorism. The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) emphatically declared that an aggressive “jihad by the sword” has no place in Islam. He taught his followers to wage an intellectual “jihad of the pen” to defend Islam. To this end, he penned more than 80 books, delivered hundreds of lectures and engaged in scores of public debates. His rigorous and rational defence of Islam unsettled
conventional Muslim thinking. As part of its effort to revive Islam, the Community continues to spread Islam’s teachings of moderation and restraint in the face of bitter
opposition from the Muslim world.
Similarly, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organisation to endorse a separation of mosque and state. Over a century ago, the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) taught his followers to protect the sanctity of both religion and government by becoming righteous souls as well as loyal citizens. He cautioned against irrational interpretations of Qur’anic pronouncements and continually voiced his concerns over protecting the rights of God’s creatures.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues to advocate for universal human rights, it champions the empowerment and education of all, men and women, and it promotes the concepts of loyalty, freedom, equality, respect and peace for all. This is the Islam that was propounded by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and it is to this religion of peace that we invite the world.
Global Leadership
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the foremost Islamic organisation with a central spiritual leader. The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) reminded his followers of God’s promise to safeguard the message of Islam through Khilafat (the spiritual institution of successorship to prophethood). The Community believes that only spiritual successorship can uphold the true values of Islam and unite humanity. Five spiritual leaders have succeeded the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) since his demise in 1908.
His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad –Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, leads the Community, placing a strong emphasis on developing a link with God, a constant focus on self reformation and a pressing commitment to justice as a basis for peace. He has addressed parliaments across the world including in the UK, EU and USA and written to world leaders urging them to uphold justice in all matters so that the regional conflicts do not erupt into an international war. He has also reached out to faith leaders and called for religious communities to be the leading lights of peace.
Service to Humanity
The Community has now built over 15,000 mosques, over 500 schools and over 30 hospitals and has translated the Holy Qur’an in over 70 languages. It propagates the true teachings of Islam and the message of peace and tolerance through a 24-hour satellite television channel (MTA), the Internet (alislam.org) and print (Islam
International Publications). It has been at the forefront of disaster relief worldwide through an independent charitable organisation, Humanity First and also works on an international programme to provide clean water, medical assistance, sustainable energy and aid to those suffering across the world.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the UK
The UK chapter of the Community was established in 1913 making it one of the oldest established Muslim communities in Britain. It built London’s
first mosque in Southfields as well as the largest mosque in Western Europe – the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community runs a national peace campaign to raise awareness of Islam’s true message, promote dialogue and help break down barriers. The Community is also extensively involved in outreach and service to local communities, for Islam places a special emphasis on loyalty to one’s country and service to humanity.
In the UK, every year it raises hundreds of thousands of pounds for numerous British charities such as the Royal British Legion, Save the Children,
Macmillan Cancer, the Great Ormond Street Hospital to name a few. In the past year alone it has planted more than 30,000 trees, provided food for more than 10,000 homeless people and donated more than 1,000 units of blood. Islam teaches members to be positive contributors to society as a whole and during the recent floods,hundreds of youth also volunteered hundreds of hours to assist in the affected areas.
” Britain can be proud of you. This is true faith in action.” (Rt Hon David Cameron MP, The Prime Minister)
All this is done because webelieve that this is the divine pathway to peace. This is thevision of Islam that wasrevived by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) and this is the message that has been continuously expounded though his successors to this day. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is an embodiment of the benevolent message of Islam – peace, universal brotherhood and submission to the Will of God and it is a message that we will continue to promote through our service to mankind based on our belief in God.
