Young Muslims encouraged to ‘serve Britain and be loyal’ at meeting in Huddersfield
Around 200 young Muslims gathered in Huddersfield today for a ‘reformation retreat’ designed to promote moral values, education and national loyalty.
Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) from across Yorkshire met in Fartown where participants pledged their allegiance to Islam and the British nation.
Participants aged from seven to 40 were encouraged to focus on pursuing education as a means to serve the country, according to AMYA.
“A central feature of the gathering will be the pledge of allegiance, which includes a promise to serve and protect Great Britain, a notion enhanced in recent weeks,” said a spokesman.
The keynote speaker was the President of AMYA UK, Abdul Qudoos Arif.
Nadeem Ahmad, regional youth leader of the Yorkshire chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, said: “A very pleasing number of young professionals and children from all walks of life are here today in Huddersfield.
“The motto of AMYA is ‘A nation cannot be reformed without the reformation of its youth’ and so everything we do is inspired by a desire to improve in all aspects of our lives.
“Therefore, we hold this annual event to learn and practice the true Islamic teachings.
“We believe that according to the principles of Islam, tolerance and mutual respect are the cornerstones for countering divisions and creating harmony within society.
“The youth attending will be taught this and that serving their nation and being loyal is an extremely important part of Islamic faith.”
Mr Ahmad said the AMYA had mentored tens of thousands of young British Muslims “and instilled in them the understanding that peace, respect and tolerance are values shared by both their religion and nation.”
The event included a football tournament, volleyball, cricket, athletics events and a host of inflatable attractions for the younger attendees.
