To think that a ghastly suicide attack would take place on British soil targeting young children was preposterous. Today, we have a lot to answer about how we got here.
Source/Credit: The Independent UK
By Ayesha Malik, Zakia Bajwa, Maleeha Mansur
Posted: May 25, 2017
The news of the horrifying terror attack in Manchester sent me reeling down memory lane. In Pakistan, the country where I was born and raised, such attacks have sadly become commonplace. On my daily commute to work, I would often witness anxious mothers escorting their toddlers through fortified walls into nurseries and schools. And disturbing as it felt, this was increasingly becoming the new norm in the country.
It was quite inconceivable to imagine that these horrors that have besieged the hearts and minds of young Pakistanis would one day terrify youngsters in mainland UK. To think that a ghastly suicide attack would take place on British soil targeting young children was preposterous. Today, we have a lot to answer about how we got here.
As we pick up the pieces, it is crucial to remember that we have a common enemy. As a Muslim immigrant to this country, and hailing from a persecuted minority sect in Islam known as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (AMC), I love and cherish this country no less than any other British citizen. In fact, my faith teaches me that loyalty to my country is part of my faith.
The existence of the monstrous individuals who carry out such heinous acts across the globe was prophesied by the Holy Prophet (pbuh) who said that they would be the worst of creation on Earth. As the recent spate of terror attacks have shown, they truly are. The message of the AMC has always been one of rejecting extremism in all its forms and uniting behind the spirit of common humanity for the collective good. We must ensure such voices are heard louder than ever during these solemn times.
Ayesha Malik Surrey
As I heard of the news of the barbaric and inhumane terrorist attack in Manchester a feeling of deep sadness, numbness and pain came over me. That gut-wrenching feeling that questions how can someone think to hurt another person let alone target and violently murder children at a concert? Listening to the news as more information comes to light only made the feeling of horror and shock more apparent – lives that have barely begun barbarically cut short.
As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community again and again we are reminded by our leader, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the words of the Holy Prophet of Islam: that love of one's country is a part of faith. Therefore as a community we are truly grieved and pained by this attack and our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by it.
The Holy Qu’ran states that to kill one person is akin to killing all of mankind. Terrorists will never win – as communities in Manchester and across the UK come together to help each other and show solidarity it underlines the truly Great British spirit within us all that will always resist against the terrorist agenda.
Zakia Bajwa London
My heart sank as I awoke today to the incredibly horrific news of terrorism perpetrated on innocent children in Manchester. Heavy hearted I thought of the grieving parents who untied their apron strings to fulfil the wishes of their young daughters.
As one turns to social media one's heart is filled with admiration as we encounter a shining example of solidarity from all walks of life. Whilst our hearts weep for the victims, the resounding voice of support and resilience in the face of horror is certainly the means of instilling peace in this time of sadness and fear. Home owners, taxi drivers, restaurant owners, doctors, nurses, paramedics and more, all joined forces to be the wall of solidarity that flitters not from such cowardly provocation. One witnesses today that all ages, all faiths and all ethnicities are united in condemnation of this barbarity.
Whatever the intention of this extremist, as unambiguously put by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad: “Let it be clear that they (the terrorists) are not practicing Islam, rather it seems as though they have invented their own hate-filled and poisonous religion.”
The name of Islam literally means peace and so even the name itself rejects all forms of terrorism, extremism and compulsion. Rather, Islam is that religion that champions peace, freedom, love and security for all mankind.”
My hope is that as the details of this atrocity and its cowardly perpetrator surface we continue to show our true Greatness. We may be divided by our red and blue politics, by our north and south divide or by Europe but when we come together as Great Britain we are a force to be reckoned with like no other.
Maleeha Mansur
London
Read original post here: The Ahmadiyya community condemn this senseless act of horror – this is not Islam
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