Extending a Hand of Friendship to Others – Traveling the globe with the Honourable Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmed

BY: SIMONE JENNIFER SMITH

There tends to be an over-focus on the negative and fake news; it has almost become the norm to turn on your television, or log on to your computer and find it filled with news about bombings, shootings, accidents; it gets to be a bit much at times. It was a pleasure when Hassaan Shahid reached out to the Toronto Caribbean Newspaper with some wonderful news regarding humanitarian efforts currently happening within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

I was first introduced to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in March of this year, and I was instantly touched at the warmth of the community and their message of peace. Freedom of belief is a core tenet of Islamic teaching, and they continue to teach and spread peace to cultivate bonds and mutual affection with people from all walks of life. One way they have done this is by building Mosques across the globe and offering a safe place for those who are living in strife or turmoil.

October 2018 was a busy month for the Ahmaddiya Muslim Community, as His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad began a small tour inaugurating two new mosques: one in Baltimore and the other in Philadelphia, as well as a hospital in Guatemala. His Holiness began his trip in Philadelphia and is currently on his fourth visit to the United States since being elected as Caliph in 2003.

On October 19, 2018, His Holiness inaugurated the Baitul Aafiyat Mosque in Philadelphia. Over 175 dignitaries and guests attended the evening reception including the Mayor of Philadelphia James Kenny and Congressman Honourable Dwight Evans, a Member of the United States Congress. The Ahmaddiya Community has a special connection with Philadelphia. When the first Ahmadi Muslim Missionary by the name of Mufti Muhammad Sadiq first came to America in 1920, he landed at the port of Philadelphia. He was denied entry, and was unjustly imprisoned, but little did he know that his imprint would be seen for years to come. While he was imprisoned, he showed such kindness and humanity that fifteen people accepted Islam through him. This number grew to 5,000 people, and Philadelphia became a home for the Ahmaddiya Muslim Community.

Quick Fact* Philadelphia was one of the first colonial cities to permit freedom of religion and freedom of worship in America. It is also where the Declaration of Independence was signed.

His Holiness met with hundreds of Ahmadi Muslims who had traveled from various cities to meet the spiritual leader. At the inauguration, he addressed the fears that the Mosque might possibly bring; he brought to light the incessant negative portrayal of Islam in the media. He clarified the objectives of all true Mosques: it was a place where Muslims can gather together to pray and strengthen ties of kinship and unity with one another. Although there are a multitude of prayer centers established by different Islamic Sects in Philadelphia, the Baitul Aafiyat Mosque is the first purpose-built Mosque. To complete the celebration, His Holiness was presented with the Key to the City.

“This Mosque should not merely show the locals what the physical attributes of a Mosque are, rather it should manifest the truly beautiful and peaceful attributes of the teachings of Islam for the whole world to see and observe.”

His Holiness completed his initial tour of the US with a stop in Baltimore, where he inaugurated the Baitus Samed Mosque before delivering the keynote address at a special reception on October 20, 2018. The welcome reception had over 500 guests including the United States Senator Ben Cardin, along with the Secretary of State of Maryland Honourable John Wobensmith.

His Holiness continued his tour and on October 22, 2018, he arrived in Guatemala for his first ever visit to Central America. The purpose of this visit was the inauguration of the Nasir Hospital, a large-scale humanitarian Project of Humanity First, an international charity established by the Ahmaddiya Muslim Community.

I enjoy sharing the work of communities who are actively doing their part to help humanity. For more information on the Ahmaddiya Muslim Community, visit https://www.alislam.org/. Let us all continue to do our part!