Australian Ahmadi youths are engaged in active programs such as Australia Day celebrations, Clean up Australia Day, Peace Symposiums and numerous charities in order to serve the broader community.
Source/Credit: Blacktown Sun | Australia
By Blacktown Sun | September 30, 2014
What was your reaction to the raids last week?
Australia has the right to uphold its judicial process and as per the law if the raids were necessary to keep its citizens safe, then the raids are fully justified. According to the number of Australians joining Islamic State (IS), this raid seems to be a necessary step against the acts of violence and humanity at large.
It is only logical for the authorities to act now with a determined effort. In fact, more raids are welcome, if required.
Have you heard any response from the community about it?
Our peaceful Ahmadiyya community, who beholds their motto ‘Love for All Hatred for None’, is very concerned because the flames of what has been seen as news clips are now reaching our shores. I understand that the greater community including the majority of peace-loving Muslims should be concerned as evident from the numerous press releases and media statements to this effect.
We have received messages from some leading politicians and authorities [saying] that they understand what Islam really stands for, are with us and that they intend to condemn extremism with us.
I expect more response from the greater community as front pages are filled with the ‘‘terror news’’.
After the incident concerning Numan Haider in Victoria, one of the papers asked the front page question ‘How many more like him?’ Hence, I do expect more responses from the greater community.
How can young Muslims in the area be stopped from potentially taking up the call of IS, and its latest message to kill non-believers?
This is a bigger problem which definitely requires serious community effort. The attack on the Federal and Victorian police was an act of extremism and totally contrary to the teachings of Islam. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believes that it may not be enough just to ‘‘reject the fatwa’’ but also instill in the minds of our youth the true definition of jihad.
Each and every young Ahmadi Muslims, whether in Australia or any corner of the globe, understands very well the Islamic prophecy by our founder Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad that the present age requires ‘Jihad by Pen’; that is, through literature and other media. Concerning terrorism, the fourth Caliph of the Community writes: ‘‘As far as Islam is concerned, it categorically rejects and condemns every form of terrorism. It does not provide any cover or justification for any act of violence, be it committed by an individual, a group or a government.’’
History tells us that swords may win territories but not the hearts of people.
Australian Ahmadi youths are engaged in active programs such as Australia Day celebrations, Clean up Australia Day, Peace Symposiums and numerous charities in order to serve the broader community.
How is the mosque and the Ahmadiyya Community working with the community to plead for peace?
The Ahmadiyya Muslims of Australia realise that with the rise of IS, global peace is threatened. However, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Ahmadis are under the caliphate of one and only leader globally and hence, speak the same language whether they are in Australia or any part of the world.
In response to IS, the international head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (who resides in London and has last visited Australia in October 2013) has unequivocally declared, ‘‘The actions and statements of IS and other extremists who pretend to represent Islam, whilst all the while spreading hatred and violence, run entirely contrary to the peaceful teachings of Islam.’’
The millions of Ahmadis across the world are spreading the same message in their own ways and in their own capacity.
We will continue to work with the broader community by engaging in numerous humanitarian activities such as blood donation drives, Royal Institute of Deaf & Blind walkathon, Red Cross appeals, Australia Clean up Day, Humanity First Australia, reliefs funds for disasters, Australia Day, Harmony Day, Guide Dog Australia, National Stroke Foundation, Diabetes Australia, Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, Projects with Councils, NSW Bushfire Appeal, Interfaith meetings, Peace Symposium, etc.
While the IS flag has become the face of the extremist group and fanatic individuals, Ahmadiyya youth have come up with the idea of displaying the true message of the Holy Prophet of Islam: “Love of a Country (of residence) is Part of Faith”
Are you surprised that potential terror suspects are from the local community?
Yes, this does surprise me because I can claim (and claim proudly) that not even a single suspect has ever been from the Ahmadiyya Community, whether globally or in Australia.
This is only possible because the Ahmadiyya Community has one global leader with one message and this message of peace is spread to 206 countries and instilled in the hearts of tens of millions of people with one voice.
The truth is that despite our claims, it is evident there are people in the local community who are capable of such extreme acts (such as the recent incident involving attacking on the police officers in Victoria).
Is there an aim among the Islamic community to stop people associating with those involved in terror attacks or IS?
As I said before, the aim of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Australia and I suppose the Islamic community at large is to continue to speak against terror attacks and at the same time sincerely help the authorities with any investigations. It is well understood that majority of the Muslims thwart these terrorists and would not want their children becoming one. However, the Islamic community must ask with one voice if they are doing enough to stop those elements of the community who radicalise these youths. Literally, tears fall from my eyes in seeing the beheading in the name of Allah. How can one find heaven by murdering is the name of Allah?
Is it difficult to tell the wider community that the men arrested as part of the terror raids do not represent Islam?
It is not difficult at all since anyone who understands Australian law knows very well that those arrested will be put through the judicial process and will face consequences if proven guilty of any criminal acts. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community also thanks the Australian media for being quite clear in this instance that this extremism is not linked with Islamic doctrines and ideology. While the news media has covered extremism and the brutality of IS, they have also been quick in displaying the views of the Islamic community.
Do you believe there is a threat of ‘Islamophobia’ occuring?
First of all, the word Islamophobia - the fear of the Islamic faith – is quite ironical as the word ‘Islam’ means peace and submission to the Will of Allah.
The Koran teaches us ‘jihad’ with the inner self for self-purification and serving humanity. Any Australian youth who is inclined towards extremism must be [strongly] re-educated with the Koranic teaching such as ‘Killing an individual is like killing the entire nation’ and ‘There is no compulsion in religion’ and the saying of the Holy Prophet ‘Love of the country (of residence) is part of faith’. Extremists shed blood, whereas good Muslims give blood; extremists take lives, good Muslims save lives. Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth groups intend to come up with similar messages so that the ‘Islamophillia’ has an upper hand over ‘Islamophobia’. The Ahmadiyya Muslim community remains confident that such steps may be small but positive step forward.
Do members of the Islamic community believe they are being specifically targeted by police and security forces?
Ahmadiyya Muslims believe that police and security forces are for upholding law and order and for our safety. Any action for the safety of the citizens of this country is always welcome. We are thankful to the Local Area Commands and other authorities who understand the peaceful mission of the Ahmadiyya Muslims for working closely with us.
Mr Sharif also said:
■ We stand united with the people of Australia (that is, Team Australia) in unequivocally condemning the gruesome killing of the hostages and on shore terrorist activities and we hope that those responsible are caught and face the full force of the law.
■ The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, under the guidance of our Caliph, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, categorically reject extremists wherever they may be, whatever their cause.
■ We believe in love for all and hatred for none, and that inter-faith and international dialogue is the only way to cultivate understanding and harmony between people.
■ Our thoughts and prayers are with the many victims of these terrorists, may God provide solace and strength to the bereaved and to his loved ones
Read original post here: What was your reaction to the raids last week?
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