Netherlands: Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Host Peace Conference

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In the opening remarks for the Peace Conference, Mirza Fakhar Ahmad, President Majlis Ansarullah Netherland, highlighted the efforts of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at international’s efforts for peace and harmony. 

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: Majlis Ansarullah
By A.W. Mubashir | December 10, 2016

Majlis Ansarullah Nederland organized its annual “Peace Conference” on November 18, 2016, at the Mubarak Mosque in The Hague, Nederland.

An audience of more than 100 people, including more than 45 non-Ahmadi guests comprising members of NGO’s, Members from the synagogue, church, Hindu temple, Buddhist temple, Sikh Gurdwara and various other dignitaries and guests attended the event.

The theme of this year’s Peace Conference was “Perspective of Peace in faith”.

The Conference, chaired by Hibatun Noor Verhagen, National President (Amir) of Ahmadiyya Muslim community Nederland, presented speakers from the six major practiced faiths in Netherland.

Zubair Akmal, director of interfaith outreach for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association, Majlis Ansarullah, moderated the Conference, introducing the efforts of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at International.

“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community worldwide continues to engage all faith groups to find means to achieve global peace," said Zubair Akmal. "The conference today was a small step on our long journey towards that goal."

In the opening remarks for the Peace Conference, Mirza Fakhar Ahmad, President Majlis Ansarullah Netherland, highlighted the efforts of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at international’s efforts for peace and harmony.

The first speaker of the Conference was Mr. Dolf Langerhuizen from the Roman Catholic Church who said that people are mostly peaceful by nature, and it’s always a small group of individuals who for personal reasons and benefits pollute the atmosphere of harmony and peace.

The second speaker of the day was from the Sikh faith. Mr. Arjinder Singh represented Sikh Community in the Netherlands, saying that Sikh religion in principal accepts all the religions of the world and teaches to live with peace and harmony among people of all faiths.

The Jewish view of peace was presented by Rabbi Harry Z. Knot representing the Liberal Jewish Organization who describing the teachings of Jewish faith and mentioned that the life of all prophets is full of making peace in their communities, and so was the life of the prophet Moses and the book of Torah, that he left behind for his people.

Pandit Avi Sharma of Lord Shiva Temple, Amsterdam represented the Hindu faith. He said that peace starts from one’s own home which takes small steps in neighborhood and move to city, country and the world at large.

The last guest speaker was Mr. Guan Her Ng of Fo Guang Shan’s Buddhist temple in The Hague who explained the importance of Peace in the Buddhist faith.

"The Buddha saw that all people have a Buddha-nature and are interconnected," said Mr Ng. "Peace starts with oneself and without being peaceful, how are you going to influence peace to your family, friends, colleagues, and the rest of the world?”

Islam was represented by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nederland, Moulana Hamid Karim Mahmud who highlighted the teachings of Islam from the Holy Quran, Hadith, the Promised Messiah and his successors (Khalifa) of Ahmadiyyat in order to maintain Peace in the community, society and world at large.

Hibatun Noor Verhagen, Amir of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Netherlands, concluded the event. Mr. Verhagen valued the keen interest shown by all attendees and offered his thanks to the guests, the organizing team.

All the speakers were presented with a bouquet of flowers and a gift as the symbol of gratitude by Amir Sahib on behalf of Majlis Ansarullah Netherlands.

The last segment of conference was a panel discussion with the audience showing an abundant interest such that the time was extended to almost an hour from the scheduled 30 minutes. A video documentary was also shown to all participants highlighting the tours of Huzur Aqdas, may Allah strengthen his hand, and it was keenly viewed by all.

Upon official closure of the “Peace Conference” the guests were served with a vegetarian dinner and refreshments. All guests were highly complimentary of the event and organization.

Majlis Ansarullah has been invited to several other events across the country as a result of this experience.




Edited by AT/TOA staff

-- Netherlands: Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Host Peace Conference


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