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| Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (Photo: AlIslam.Org) |
Source/Credit: The Huddersfield Daily Examiner
By Daily Examiner | January 27, 2011
THE 7/7 atrocity has not had a long-term harmful impact on community relations says a Muslim group.
The long-running inquest is continuing into the attacks in London on July 7, 2005, which involved former Huddersfield man Jermaine Lindsay who blew himself up along with innocent underground passengers near Russell Square underground station.
But the Ahmadiyya Muslims in Huddersfield say it has not damaged community relations in the long-term and its worldwide leader strongly condemned the attacks.
The Spiritual Head of the 160 million-strong international Ahmadiyya Muslim community, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, said about the 7/7 atrocities: “The perpetrators demonstrated a total disregard for the sanctity of human life and an obsession for violence.
“These heinous acts are against humanity and have no justification whatsoever. Terrorism of any kind has no place in religion. Islam is no exception for it is a faith that professes peace and respect for all. Indeed, The Holy Qur’an likens anyone who takes the life of innocent people as one who has committed a crime against all of humanity.’’
The Huddersfield group based at Fitzwilliam Street near Huddersfield town centre is proactive in forging strong links between themselves and all communities.
Its members do charity events, provide food for homeless people at Christmas, donate blood and this year are organising sports activities for young people including football, cricket and volleyball. It also holds a peace symposium in Huddersfield every year attended by people from many different faiths.
The Ahmadiyya Muslims have their own sponsored charity walk in June and Huddersfield members will be participating.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association has its own registered charity called Humanity First and both the charity and the association have helped to establish schools, hospitals and clinics in Africa and supply people living there with fresh water.
It also reacts to disasters anywhere in the world which it says is part of its strong moral obligation to humanity.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim president in Huddersfield, Mr Fatihul Haq, said: “Our aim is to change people’s perception of Islam and Islamophobia. We all belong to Huddersfield and work together to make it a better place where we all live in harmony and peace, to help each other in different ways, to respect different beliefs and to make sure there is no hatred which can cause friction.
“The British Government has given rights to each faith which protects the rights of all minorities and for that we are very grateful.’’
Mr Haq added: “We totally condemn what happened on 7/7 and we do not believe that day has harmed community relations in the long-run. People regard it as a very rare event. Extremists are only a handful of people. They have committed crimes and you can’t blame Islam for that.’’
He added that Ahmadiyya Muslims teach their young people to be loyal to the country where they are living.
“Our message is to look after people living in that country whatever faith they have,’’ he said. “Islam is a universal and peaceful religion for everyone. Our aim is social cohesion and to minimise crime and anti-social behaviour.
“We explain to our young people what is good and bad in relation to the teachings of Islam. Talking to our young people is all-important. They ask about their faith, any issues they are facing and how we can integrate into modern British society. We encourage our young people to be a useful part of our society.’’
Rafiq Hayat, leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslims in the UK, added: “We are wedded to a belief in peace. Our motto is Love For All, Hatred For None which we regard as putting our faith into practice.
“We embrace the principles of loyalty, freedom, equality, respect and peace. It is part of our faith which we live out in our daily lives.
“We stand opposed to those firebrand clerics who preach hate. For us, that runs counter to the very essence of Islam.”
Read original post here: Community relations not harmed by 7/7
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