USA: Ahmadiyya Muslim leaders promotes separation of religion, state

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In his first visit to the West Coast, the spiritual leader stressed what he called he true meaning of Islam and how it works toward global peace. He also condemned the terrorist attacks at the Boston Marathon.

Photo: Imran Jattala / Ahmadiyya Times

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Inland Valley daily Bulletin
By Canan Tasci | May 11, 2013

BEVERLY HILLS -- On the same day that Pakistan parliamentary elections were taking place, the leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community delivered a message of peace, unity and separation of religion and state.

Members of this Muslim community have been deprived of their basic right to vote in the country because of their beliefs, a discrimination His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad Khalifatul Masih V called "obnoxious."

Hundreds attended the globally broadcast lecture by the 62-year-old khalifa on Saturday at the Montage Hotel.

"The key to peace is to stop cruelty and oppression. ... Only then will global peace be delivered," said Ahmad.

Founded in 1889, this Islamic organization spans over 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Its current headquarters are in the United Kingdom, according to the Ahmadiyya's website.

In his first visit to the West Coast, the spiritual leader stressed what he called he true meaning of Islam and how it works toward global peace. He also condemned the terrorist attacks at the Boston Marathon.

Ahmad said those who desire peace must unite to decide how to combat hate and injustice.

"It is imperative to find ways to save the world from destruction," he said.

In the crowd were Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, Los Angeles Councilman and mayoral candidate Eric Garcetti, Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod, D-Montclair, and Imam Shamashad Nasir of the Chino mosque.

The khalifa, who is the Islamic world's equivalent to the pope, was also given a key to the Los Angeles by Garcetti.

For a week leading to Saturday's event, Ahmad met with members of his community and conducted multiple prayers at the Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino.

"This strong message for peace is powerful and is important for each nation to find a way to establish peace in the world," said Nasir.

This was Ahmad's third visit to the United States. He visited the East Coast in 2008 and 2012.

Ahmad was elected to his lifelong position on April 22, 2003.



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