United Kingdom: Peace symposium held by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association to promote 'tolerance and understanding' in the community

Imam Ataul Mujeeb Rashed, UK Missionary in Charge of the association, explained the association aims to “promote tolerance and understanding” within the community and explained some of the misconceptions surrounding Islam.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit:  Bucks Free Press |
By Simon Farr for BFP  |

Community asked to work together at peace conference

CIVIL dignitaries, community leaders and residents came together last night at a 'peace symposium' aimed at dispelling the misconceptions of Islamic attitudes.

More than 100 people attended the conference at the Bourne End Community Centre on Saturday, which was organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association.

Shadow Justice Secretary MP Dominic Grieve, High Wycombe Town Mayor Julie Pritchard and Imam Ataul Mujeeb Rashed were among the speakers at the three hour event.

Mr Grieve said he had received a letter from a constituent asking for him not to attend the conference. He said residents had become 'worryingly frightened' by the Muslim community.

But he added the country needed to “regain its self confidence” and “engage in a two way process” with Muslims to “build a better country for our children and our grandchildren”.

Cllr Pritchard, speaking for the second time at a Ahmadiyya conference, hailed the meeting for allowing the community to “come together under the banner of peace”.

She said: “I think part of the problems we experience is the differences we have but instead of seeing those differences as threats, we need to accept them.

“We are one community and in order to move forward with greater cohesion, we need to understand and embrace our differences.”

Imam Rashed, UK Missionary in Charge of the association, explained the association aims to “promote tolerance and understanding” within the community and explained some of the misconceptions surrounding Islam.

He went on to say that he “rejected those that commit atrocities” and pleaded for the community to “work together to create an island of peace and harmony.”

Father Francis Higgins from St Francis Church in Flackwell Heath and Thames Valley Police Inspector Ray Wilkes also addressed the conference, which concluded with a meal.

The Ahmadiyya Movement was established in 1889 by Hadharat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in a remote Indian village. Its motto is “love for all, hatred for none”.

Visit www.ahmadiyya.org.uk for more information. 

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