Canada: Ahmadiyya Muslim World Leader Visits Lloydminster, Inaugurates Baitul Amman Mosque

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The Ahmadiyya community is said to be one of the fastest growing Muslim sects in the world, and has rapidly expanded in Canada, specifically in the province of Saskatchewan.

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Lloydminster Meridian Booster
By Tyler Marr | November 7, 2016

The spiritual leader of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslims addressed faithful Muslims and inaugurated the new Baitul Amman Mosque as he graced Lloydminster on Sunday.

His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the fifth Caliph and Spiritual Head of the sect, as part of his Canadian tour to celebrate the 50th year of the Muslims organization in the country, descended upon the Border City and spoke on the true teachings of Islam.

The Caliph, who is originally from Pakistan, but resides in London, England, was greeted by local politicians, before addressing dozens gathered at the Lloydminster Exhibition Grounds as a keynote speaker.

He spoke on the many misconceptions behind beliefs held against the Muslim faith, the crisis in Syria, and many other world issues. He further stressed the need to recognize the true teachings of Islam — love, peace and harmony.

 “I do not think there should be any fear of Muslims, especially of Ahmadiyya Muslims,” His Holiness said while speaking with media following his address.

“We believe in the true teachings of Islam. If you summarize the teachings of Islam in two sentences; that is to love your creator and to love your fellow neighbours.”

The Ahmadiyya community is said to be one of the fastest growing Muslim sects in the world, and has rapidly expanded in Canada, specifically in the province of Saskatchewan.

There is said to be more than 1,500 Ahmadiyya Muslims living in Saskatchewan, and the community continues to rapidly grow.

When asked on this, His Holiness spoke to Canada as being a multinational and multicultural country, and the faith was growing because of not only the number of refugees from Syria and Pakistan, but because of the “good message” which the faith spreads.

“If you have a good message, something to present to the people, they will accept it,” he said.

His Holiness, when asked about his travels across Canada and how people were responding to the growing faith, explained how everywhere he went he found his people were accepted and treated well.

“Where ever I visit, I was very welcomed and they know there is no fear of any type from Ahmadiyya Muslims,” he said, further explaining how his group is well integrated into society, noting how love of one's country was part of the duty of their practice.

“Where ever I go, when I see my community progressing there and the members of my community have grown close and are attached to the community and to the teachings of Islam, then it makes me happy.”

He was also very honoured to aid in the inauguration of the local Mosque and hoped his community would use it as an opportunity to portray the true teachings in the community.

“I pray and wish they prosper more than before.”

Looking to the future, noting the continuation of the true teachings of Islam, he hoped not only will the community increase as it has across the world, but locals will accept the message as well.

“There are quite a number of Canadians who have accepted the message. I hope in five or 10 years, I hope that quite a number of Canadians will accept the true message of Islam, which is love, peace and harmony.”

For Tariq Azeem, local missionary with the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, the opportunity to have His Holiness grace Lloydminster with his presence was difficult to put into words, and spoke of the entire Ahmadiyya community’s excitement and over joy.

When asked what he felt the visit would do for his community in the Border City, Azeem felt it would allow his community to continue to exhibit the true faith and teachings of Islam.

“Our efforts in the community speak loud and clear what our beliefs are,” he said. “If people study our community, what we do, and our leader, His Holiness, they would right away understand Islam is a religion of peace.”

Further, he was thankful for the time His Holiness took to travel, visit and speak to the city.

“We were very fortunate and we are extremely pleased he blessed our town and community with his visit.”

Mayoral-elect, Gerald Aalbers also had the opportunity to meet the Spiritual Leader and believed it will shed an entirely new light and elevate the presence of the community here in the Border City.

“I do not think a lot of people realize the size of their community and their faith community,” he said. “I think it was an incredible honour for us to host him here, and it was a great experience.”

“I knew they were involved in various things, but they want people to know they are here to partake in the community, and not to receive, but to give.”

He further spoke on the diversity of the city, and the need to grow and build on this moving forward.

“As we talk to each other and learn about their faith it will be an incredible experience.”

His Holiness finished his press conference with a special message for Lloydminster.

“We should live peacefully (and) harmoniously in this town, and respect each other,” he said. ”So that this town becomes the role model of peace, harmony and love.”


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