I would categorically dissociate myself from this hate campaign in the strongest possible term and request my local police that an inquiry be made to see who posted the ‘Don’t vote’ banners.
Source/Credit: Author
By Kaleem Ahmad | April 24, 2015
Days after the hate-provoking banners were posted in Grangetown and Roath area of Cardiff asking Muslims not to partake in the upcoming UK General Elections 2015, deeming them man-made laws taking over Allah’s decree, the hype in social and print media has grown to a new level.
It is unfortunate to see how Islamic teachings are maligned by some mainstream Muslims and their own twisted interpretations are spread across to invoke hate in the name of Islam. The truth however lies in understanding of the Quranic injunctions such as “entrusting [authority to] those who deserve” with respect to exercising one’s rights with pureness, instructing citizens to “obey the Lord and the Prophet and those in authority”, and following dearly the Sunnah principle (the Prophet’s practice) of “Love of country is part of faith”, it is the utmost religious, moral and ethical duty of every Muslim to participate in civic life and cast his or her just opinion whenever required.
As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association I condemn this malicious campaign. Rather than creating my own interpretations why shouldn't I just draw from the established practice of the Holy Prophet of Islam from 1400 years ago when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told Muslims to go by the law of the land when many were migrating to a Christian kingdom, Habshah, present-day Ethiopia.
As a Muslim, I categorically dissociate myself from this hate campaign in the strongest possible term and request my local police that an inquiry be made to see who posted the ‘Don’t vote’ banners and ascertain their intentions behind this unpatriotic act. This should be taken as a warning that if such extremism is not curbed it could well lead more youth to intolerance and radicalization.
Being a migrant from Pakistan, where Ahmadis are considered a heretic minority and declared non-Muslims, I would like to extend words of gratitude to the United Kingdom for providing me the freedom to express my views when I will cast my first ever vote on 7th May this year. I see voting in the General Elections as a rendering of services back to community the same way the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association has been contributing positively to the British society throughout the past century.
With the General Election being hottest news in the country, health, employment, empowering the police, immigration laws and taxation policies would be the sectors needing vital attention and reforms for Britain’s progress.
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Kaleem Ahmad is member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association - UK's Cardiff chapter.-- Perspective: Obey Law of Land | Kaleem Ahmed
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