Guatemala: Ahmadiyya, the peaceful sect of Islam, attracts Guatemalans

The movement which started in the country in 1989, had emerged 100 years ago in India, said Alberto Gonzalez, national general secretary of the organization in Guatemala. 

Photo: elPeriódico

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: ElPeriódico de Guatemala
By Claudia Mendez Villasenor | December 5, 2011
Translated by Imran Jattala | Ahmadiyya Times

The Baitul Awal mosque welcomes believers of all religions who seek a pure connection with God.

Imam Abdul Sattar Khan, president and missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Guatemala recognizes that today the name of Islam is associated with terrorism emerging from Middle Eastern countries.

But the work of millions of followers of the Prophet Muhammad (on whom be peace) from the worldwide Ahmadiyya Community in Ahmadiyya tries to erase this stain.

The movement which started in the country in 1989, had emerged 100 years ago in India, said Alberto Gonzalez, national general secretary of the organization in Guatemala.


"The aim was to restore the purity of religion and the true message of the Prophet which is peace - and not hatred," he said.

Today, the community has about 100 converts; all are Guatemalans except the Imam, who is a native of Rabwah, Pakistan. He was a missionary in Spain before coming to Guatemala.

Some have converted to the Muslim religion, others, like Peña Montes family, residents of Zone 5, maintain their Catholic faith, but regularly attend the mosque.

"Here all are welcome, and as it is written in the Koran, there must not be any compulsion in religion," said Gonzalez.

The community has mosques in Huehuetenango, Quetzaltenango, Escuintla and Sacatepéquez, Guatemala and has spread to El Salvador, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Panama, Chile and the Caribbean.

The community exists in 200 countries worldwide with tens of millions of followers.

"It has been a good experience, said the Imam. “Guatemalans are more open, friendly and able to accept places of worship of all."

  -- cmendezv@elperiodico.com.gt

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