Source/Credit: AMJ - Convention report
By Imran Jattala | July 16, 2011
Photos: Makhazan-e Tasaweer
In his recent visit to Frankfort, Germany, Khalifa of Islam, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad had an extremely busy meetings schedule.
Hadhrat Ahmad had traveled to Frankfort to attend the Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Germany, held on 24th, 25th and 26th of June, 2011.
During his visit, His Holiness held meetings with politicians, professionals, members of the clergy from various faiths, and many ordinary citizens that call Germany their home.
Loyalty to the homeland, peace, obedience to the laws and authority and integration were the subjects of common interest.
In a meeting with MEP Michael Gahler and a senior clergy member, Father of the Protestant Church Affolderbach, on 24 June in Karlsruhe, His Holiness spoke about the importance of religious freedom and integration.
“There should be no compulsion in religion," Hadhrat Ahmad said. “Jews should be able to practice their religion freely; Christians should be able to practice their religion freely and Muslims likewise.”
However where the interests of the country are at stake, Hadhrat Ahmad cautioned, “then all citizens should work together for the betterment of the nation.”
“That in my view is true integration,” he asserted.
On the 28th June His Holiness met with the Lord Mayor of Berlin, Mr Klaus Wowereit.
The meeting with the Lord Mayor was held at the palatial City Hall building known as the Rotes Rathaus (The Red City Hall).
During the meeting the history of Berlin, its ethnic diversity and religion were all discussed. The meeting was followed by a tour of the historic building.
During a meeting with various political figures and local police officials on 28th June in Berlin Hadhrat Ahmad stressed that “Justice must always be followed, in all aspects.”
“Wherever justice is practiced it will lead to success and to a positive society.”
During the meeting His Holiness spoke about the true meaning of integration. He said:
“It is against Islamic teachings to disobey the law. The Holy Qur’an says that we must follow the law of the land and if you are unable to do so then you should migrate. To be integrated it is necessary to believe the country you live in is your own and you must desire for it to succeed. Your relationship should be with the country not just with individuals within it. This is true integration.”
“Ahmadis are willing to integrate,” His Holiness assured. “They are adopting all of the good things that this country has to offer.”
His holiness also discussed the integration issue from the angles of loyalty to homeland and Islam’s requirement of obedience to the law and authority:
“If a person works for the betterment of Germany, more so than those who have ancestry dating hundreds of years, then he is no less a German than any of them.
“However on the other side the German nation should honour the culture and religion of its immigrants. Thus, for example, the headscarf should not be banned, indeed even some Christian women like wearing a headscarf.
“However, wherever identity needs to be ascertained, the law enforcement has a right to check.”Speaking about local opposition to the building of the Khadija Mosque in the past, His holiness observed that the Peaceful Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is accepted very well after initial concerns by some – stemming mostly from a general outlook of the Muslims nations worldwide.
“My observation is that when I came to lay the foundation stone for this mosque there were a lot of protests and huge anti-mosque crowds,” His Holiness said. “When I came for the opening there were a lot fewer and now I have come there are no protesters with the Grace of God.”
During the meeting Hadhrat Ahmad spoke about his good relationship with members of the Canadian Government.
“The Canadian government and its people have a very good relationship with us,” Said Hadhrat Ahmad. “Jason Kennie [Immigration Minister] is a good friend of mine and after last year’s attacks on May 28 he called me and offered his condolences.”
At the close of the meeting the Ambassador thanked His Holiness for the meeting and exchange of views.
“I am truly honoured to meet you, especially due to your commitment to peace,” Ambassador Boehm said.
During a meeting with the Chair of the Parliamentary Human Rights Committee, the MNA Bucholz, His Holiness underlined the plight of Ahmadis in Pakistan and the resulting impact on the country.
“We believe ourselves to be true Muslims,” Hadhrat Ahmad said. “We believe in same Holy Prophet (pbuh) and in the same Book as all other Muslims.”
“In 1974 a law was declared - declaring us non-Muslims in Pakistan; and today all sensible and decent Pakistanis would admit that the country has been deteriorating day by day since then. The day the government started to interfere with religion the country began to suffer.”
The MNA said that he was worried about was that religious conflict in Pakistan, and that those could migrate to Germany. In response His Holiness noted how he has repeatedly cautioned the politicians of the UK.
“That is the message I have given to British politicians on many occasions, that if you are not careful then extremism from Pakistan will be exported to the West,” Hadhrat Ahmad said.
During a meeting with local political and human rights leaders on 30th June, His Holiness spoke about freedom of its expression and its limits.
“No person should be allowed to mock or blaspheme against the founder of any religion or against any religion. That is the just way,” Hadhrat Ahmad asserted. “The sentiments of others must always be valued. This is basic morality and should be the basis of any law."
“The West also believes in compassion in basic daily life so why should it not exist in religious matters.”
At the close of the meeting, a church officials, Father Krautel addressed His Holiness and said:
“Dear father of Ahmadiyyat, we are very proud and honoured to meet you. We wish you all to be protected by Allah and so may God bless all Ahmadis.”
Hadhrat Ahmad will speak at the UK International Convention of The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community due to be held in Alto, UK starting Friday, July 22, 2011.
The UK gathering is expected to attract estimated thirty thousand attendees from all over the world.
The proceedings of the UK Annual convention will be broadcast live to Ahmadis around the world via the Mulsim Telivision Ahmadiyya (MTA), a 24-hour satellite TV channel.
The proceeding will be also streamed live, over the internet, at http://www.mta.tv.
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