The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and Fifth Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, arrived in Calgary on 22 May 2013 as his historic tour of North America continued.

After inaugurating the Baitur Rahman Mosque in Vancouver last week, His Holiness has travelled to Calgary to deliver this week’s Friday Sermon from the Baitun Nur Mosque which is the largest Ahmadiyya Muslim Mosque in North America.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad arrived at Calgary International Airport at 7.20pm after a short flight from Vancouver. At the airport His Holiness was greeted by 4 Members of Alberta’s Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and by Calgary’s Deputy-Mayor Ray Jones. After departing from the airport, His Holiness and his entourage were given a ten-car police escort to the Baitun Nur Mosque.

The Khalifa arrived at the Mosque just before 8pm and was greeted by more than 1600 Ahmadi Muslim men, women and children who were overcome and overjoyed at seeing their spiritual leader.

Later in the evening, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad held a meeting with three members of Alberta’s Legislative Assembly, Hon. Manmeet Bhullar, Hon. Rick Mclver and Hon. Moe Emery who all welcomed him to Calgary.

During the meeting Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad strongly condemned the terrorist attack that took place earlier in the day in London and said “it had nothing to do with the real teachings of Islam” and that “Islam is a religion of peace”.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad presented signed copies of his book ‘World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace’ to the three dignitaries. After presenting the books, His Holiness said the key to peace in the world was true justice amongst all parties.

On 18 May 2013, the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and Fifth Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, addressed a Special Reception held to celebrate the opening of the Baitur Rahman Mosque in Vancouver, Canada.

During his address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad reassured the audience that they had no reason to fear Ahmadiyya Mosques because they were built only for the worship of God and for the sake of serving humanity.

Speaking about the new Mosque, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“I would like to proclaim and declare that this Mosque will prove to be a source of spreading love, affection, peace and brotherhood for all people irrespective of whether they are Ahmadi or non-Ahmadi or whether they are Muslim or non-Muslim. The doors of our Mosque will always be open to the people of all religions, because this Mosque is a means of manifesting God’s Grace, Mercy, Love and Compassion for mankind.”

The Khalifa also addressed the issue of Jihad by explaining that when permission for defensive war was given to the early Muslims, it was given as a means to protect all religions and all places of worship.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“In essence, it can be said that the first ever ‘Charter for the Protection of Religion and Religious Rights’ is found in the Holy Quran and it has been associated directly to the Mosque. In other words, whenever a new Mosque is built, a new chapter for religious freedom is opened.”

The world leader also used his address to congratulate the Canadian Government for recently opening an ‘Office of Religious Freedom’.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“In my view, the Government deserves praise and congratulations for opening a designated ‘Office of Religious Freedom’. We fully support the Government of Canada in this endeavour. We will fully cooperate with them in every possible effort to establish religious freedom throughout the world.”

Prior to the keynote address a range of politicians and dignitaries also took to the stage.

Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Associate Minister for Defence, read out a message on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper congratulating the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat on the opening of the new Mosque.

Dr Andrew Bennett, Ambassador of Canada’s Office of Religious Freedom said he was amazed “by the message of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and its commitment to Love for All, Hatred for None.”

Lois Jackson, Mayor of the Corporation of Delta said the Mosque had become “an instant landmark”. She said it was “a great honour to have Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad in the city.”

Mobina Jaffer, Senator from British Columbia read out a message from Justin Trudeau, leader of Canada’s Liberal Party in which he called the Mosque “a welcome addition” to British Colombia and Canada at large.

Judy Sgro, Member of Parliament, said the fact that so many dignitaries were in attendance illustrated “the love and respect we all hold for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.” She said the Ahmadiyya Community was “an example for the entire world.

Jinny Sims, Member of Parliament, said that if the Ahmadi motto of ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’ was adopted by all “the world will be a better place”.

Jim Karygiannis, Member of Parliament, said that the persecution faced by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat “should not be forgotten.” He said it was imperative that all parties worked together to ensure religious freedom for all people.

Rob Norris, Member of Legislative Assembly, said he was “humbled and honoured to take part in the celebration.” He said that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat “enriches our entire country”.

Manmeet Bhullar, Member of Legislative Assembly, said meeting Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad marked a “profound moment” in his life. In a message to the Ahmadiyya Community he said “we are with you, just as you are with us.”

Marilyn Iafrate, Councillor City of Vaughan, said the local community was “very blessed” to have Ahmadi Muslims amongst them. She said the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat was “totally devoted to giving back to their community.”

Ron Starr, Councillor City of Mississauga, announced that his Council had decided to recognise May 18 as “Ahmadiyya Day”. He said that in Ahmadi Mosques there is “peace, hope and a recognition that by working together will make the world a better place.”

Prior to the event, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, answered questions during a 30minute press conference.

Amongst the media outlets included were ‘CBC’, ‘CTV’, ‘Global TV’ as well as ‘The Province’ and ‘Vancouver Sun’ newspapers.

Related: Reception Video

The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and Fifth Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad inaugurated the Baitur Rahman Mosque in Vancouver on 17 May 2013 by delivering his weekly Friday Sermon from the new Mosque.

The Mosque, which is the largest Ahmadiyya Muslim Mosque in British Columbia, was packed with more than 3,000 Ahmadi Muslim men, women and children who had travelled from across Canada to attend the opening. Ahmadi Muslims from the United States and certain other countries were also in attendance.

Speaking about the significance of the new Mosque, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“With the Grace of Allah the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is today opening a new Mosque in the Canadian Province of British Columbia. A Mosque has a special effect both on Muslims and non-Muslims alike. When a Mosque is built, new avenues of spreading the message of Islam are created and this is why the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat continually reminded his followers about the importance of constructing Mosques.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that upon the opening of Baitur Rahman the responsibilities of the local Ahmadi Muslims had increased. He said it was imperative that they practiced what they preached and that no difference existed between their words and their actions. Ahmadi Muslims had to spread the true message of peaceful Islam not just through their words, but through their conduct and behaviour.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Prove to those who come to visit this Mosque that every single act of an Ahmadi Muslim is conducted with the intention of benefitting and helping others. It is due to the teachings of Islam and the Quran that we think only of benefitting others, rather than favouring ourselves. Indeed, we do not just think of helping others but through our acts we work towards this aim. God Willing, with the opening of this Mosque people will witness for themselves this reality.”

The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and Fifth Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad arrived in Canada on 15 May 2013 as his tour of North America continued.

His Holiness landed at Vancouver International Airport at 5.30pm local time and was greeted by Canada’s Minister for Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, Jason Kenney.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad has travelled to Canada to inaugurate the Baitur Rahman Mosque in Vancouver, the largest Ahmadiyya Muslim Mosque in British Columbia.

To mark the opening of the Mosque, His Holiness will deliver the keynote address at a special reception on Saturday in front of a range of Government officials, Federal and Provincial Members of Parliament, Community Leaders and various other dignitaries.

Upon arrival in Vancouver, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad held a meeting with Jason Kenney during which the Minister congratulated His Holiness on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper upon the completion of Baitur Rahman. Mr Kenney also said it was “a great honour to welcome His Holiness back to Canada.”

Mr Kenney praised the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat for its commitment to peace, tolerance and equality for all. In response, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that “this is the true picture of Islam.”

Later in the day, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad made his first visit to the new Mosque where he was greeted by thousands of Ahmadi Muslim men, women and children who were overcome with joy at seeing their spiritual leader.

His Holiness was given a tour of the Baitur Rahman Mosque complex before leading the Maghreb and Isha prayers.

The Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and Fifth Khalifa, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered the keynote address at a special reception held in his honour at the Montage in Beverly Hills, LA on 11 May 2013.

More than 300 politicians, academics and community leaders attended, including the California Lieutenant Governor, mayoral candidate Eric Garcetti, and several members of the United States Congress.

During the event the Los Angeles City Council presented Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad with the golden key to the city, declaring:

“This Key is reserved for only the most honoured people on Earth.”

In his keynote address Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said the American people had no reason to fear Islam because it was a religion that advocated peace, universal human rights and a respect for human dignity.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“There is no doubt that the acts of terrorism or extremism some so-called Muslims perpetrate have nothing whatsoever to do with the true teachings of Islam.  The very meaning of ‘Islam’ is peace, security and giving a guarantee of protection against all forms of harm and evil.”

The Khalifa also took the opportunity to unequivocally condemn the recent Boston marathon terrorist attack and to offer his condolences saying:

“My sympathies are with the victims of the Boston bombing. We condemn that attack in its entirety.”

Speaking about Islam’s commitment to equality and humanity for all people, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“I believe in that One God who is the Lord of all nations, all races and all religions, and so it becomes impossible that I could ever develop any hatred in my heart for any nation, any race or any religion.”

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad also used his address to implore all people to view Islam through the lens of justice, rather than through the acts of extremists. He called on non-Muslims to judge Islam only after studying its teachings in depth and after observing the character of Muslims who adhere to its original teachings

The Khalifa gave examples from the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) to illustrate the Prophet’s love for all of mankind and his unparalleled levels of compassion, tolerance and justice.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was held captive and enslaved in his heartfelt distress and desire to save the people of the world from destruction. And so it is a cause of great injustice that many people today try to stain his blessed character by saying that, God forbid, he brought teachings of cruelty, oppression and injustice.”

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad concluded his address with a stark warning about the state of the world by saying:

“The direction the world is moving in suggests that the dark shadow of war is being cast over a very large part of the globe. If war breaks out then countless innocent women, children and elderly people will all die. The destruction will be greater than was witnessed in the previous two World Wars.”

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“The key to peace is to stop cruelty and oppression wherever it occurs with justice and equality.  Only when this principle is followed will global peace develop. This will only happen when the people of the world come to recognise their Creator. It is my ardent hope and prayer that the entire world urgently comes to understand the needs of the time before it is too late.”

A number of dignitaries also took to the stage to welcome Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad to Los Angeles and to congratulate the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat on its continued commitment to developing peace and tolerance globally.

Gavin Newsom, California Lieutenant Governor said the presence of Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad meant it was a “special day” and he thanked His Holiness for “sowing the seeds of possibility to the entire world.” He also said the people of LA “do not tolerate diversity, we celebrate it”.

U.S. Congresswoman Julia Brownley praised His Holiness as: “One of the greatest ecumenical leaders of our time.”

U.S. Congresswoman Judy Chu added, “I am here because His Holiness stands against terrorists and war.”

U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass said “His Holiness is a transformative figure who has promoted peace and tolerance across the world.”

Lee Baca, Los Angeles County Sheriff said “Your Holiness, you are a worldwide spiritual leader. You have made a huge impact in all parts of the world and so we are all drawn to you today for the sake of wisdom.”

The reception was preceded by both a Press Conference and a private meeting between Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad and various dignitaries.

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The second International Conference of Muslim Television Ahmadiyya International (MTA) concluded on 15 April 2013 with an address by the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and Fifth Khalifa, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.

31 delegates from 16 countries attended the four-day conference which was held at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in South-West London. Countries represented were India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Mauritius, Ghana, USA, Canada, Germany, Belgium, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, Kababir, Holland, Switzerland and Australia.

During the course of the event the delegates attended a variety of workshops and presentations organised by MTA International.

The highlight of the conference was the concluding address given by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad in which he spoke about the continued progress of MTA International since its inception in the 1990s.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“By the Grace of Allah, MTA International is excelling in leaps and bounds. Operations that started with just a few select people, with basic equipment and a single truck of MTA have now expanded across the world. Studios have been set up in different countries, several satellites have been acquired and with Allah’s Grace operations are continuing to expand.  

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad also spoke of how recently MTA had successfully launched a trilateral communication-link via satellite to coincide with the Promised Messiah Day celebrations that took place on 23 March.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Allah has enabled the Jamaat across the globe to connect with each other through direct satellite links. A new innovation MTA recently achieved was was a three-way communication link established between Qadian, Kababir and London. Through this, three locations were able to communicate directly during the Promised Messiah Day event. Such communication is causing the message of the Promised Messiah to reach the corners of the world.”

End

MTA International Conference Group Photos with Hadhrat Khalifa‐tul Masih V

Photo of Management Board of MTA International with Hadhrat Khalifa‐tul Masih V

Photo of Foreign Delegates of MTA International Conference with Hadhrat Khalifa‐tul Masih V

On 3 April 2013, the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and Fifth Khalifa, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, addressed a Special Reception held to celebrate the recent opening of the Baitur Rahman Mosque in Valencia.

During his address, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad explained true Islamic teachings of peace, justice and tolerance.

The Khalifa of the Promised Messiah said that he wished to reassure the Spanish people that the new Mosque would be a source of peace and compassion. He said the Mosque would foster a spirit of togetherness and unity within the society.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“We, Ahmadi Muslims, are not here to cause you any disturbance but rather we are here to serve, we are here to share with you the community, to join you in your activities, and live peacefully and happily with you.”

During his address, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, repeated the motto of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat of ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’ which was first coined by the Third Khalifa of the Promised Messiah, Hadhrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad during a visit to Spain in 1980.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Today the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is established in more than 200 countries and everywhere we go we spread the message of ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’.”

The Khalifa of the Promised Messiah said that due to the extremist acts of a tiny minority of ‘so-called Muslims’ the image of Islam had been unfairly tarnished in the West. He said extremism and terrorism had nothing to do with Islam. The truth was that never once did the Holy Prophet Muhammad^saw or his Rightly Guided Successors ever initiate any wars or acts of aggression. When permission was granted by Allah to fight it was given as a means to protect all people and all religions.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The Holy Qur’an states that permission to fight back was given because otherwise no place of worship, be it a Church, a Synagogue, a Mosque or Temple would remain safe from the aggressors.”

Concluding, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“This Mosque has been built to serve as a place of brotherliness and unity. Whoever comes here with pious intentions, be it a Muslim or a non-Muslim, will have the doors of the Mosque always open for him or her. This Mosque has been named Masjid Baitur Rahman – that is a House of God, who is Ever Gracious and who shows kindness to His Creation without any conditions. We, who have built this Mosque, will ensure that we continue to serve and help the communities we live in and to serve God’s Creation.”

Dozens of guests attended the reception, including a range of politicians and dignitaries, some of whom also addressed the audience.

The Lady Mayor of Pobla de Vallbona, the town where the new Mosque is located, said she was delighted to welcome so many guests to her town. She praised the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for “always promoting peace and tolerance in the world”.

Jose Maria Alonso MP, said he had been greatly impressed when meeting Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad a few months earlier at the European Parliament and when listening to his address in Brussels. The MP said it was imperative that inter-faith relations between Muslims and Christians continued to develop.

Luis Santamaria, Head Representative of Spanish Government in Valencia, also spoke of the need for inter-faith dialogue. He said that Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad had always promoted Islam’s message of peace. He added that “all people of goodwill were welcome in Spain”.

Juan Cotino, President of Valencia’s Regional Parliament, called the new Mosque a “truly beautiful building” and said the event itself was a “symbol of goodness” as people of different faiths and beliefs were joined together.

Prior to the event, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad met with various dignitaries, whilst immediately after the reception, he met personally with all of the guests.

The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and Fifth Khalifa, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, yesterday inaugurated the Baitur Rahman Mosque in Valencia. It is the second Ahmadiyya Muslim Mosque to be built in Spain, following on from the historical Basharat Mosque in Pedro Abad which was opened in 1982.

Baitur Rahman was inaugurated as the Khalifa of the Promised Messiah led the Friday Prayers from the Mosque. The event was broadcast live globally on MTA International.

During his hour-long address, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad spoke about the significance of the new Mosque and of its location. He said he had purposely chosen Valencia, because centuries ago, when Spanish rulers set out to remove all traces of Islam from the country, the local Muslims continued to practice their faith until they were forcibly banished.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad also talked about demographic changes occurring in the Spanish population. He said that the Muslim population had greatly increased in the past 30 years and was set to increase further in the coming decades. Therefore it was the responsibility of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Spain to propagate the true and peaceful message of Islam to the Spanish people.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Islam’s re-entry into Spain was made through the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat when it built the Basharat Mosque. However today, we will only come to see the real Islam flourish in this country when the servants of the Promised Messiah, realising their significance, strive to spread the beautiful and pure teachings of Islam to every single person in Spain.”

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that underpinning all efforts made by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat to spread Islam was the Qur’anic injunction that “There should be no compulsion in religion”. In light of this teaching, Ahmadi Muslims would seek to win the hearts of the Spanish people with love, compassion and kindness.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The Spanish people are the fellow citizens of the Ahmadi Muslims who live here and to fellow countrymen we must spread the message of love and peace. We must seek to win the hearts of the Spanish people by displaying the beautiful and pure teachings of Islam.”

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad concluded by praying:

“May this Mosque prove to be a means of presenting the true and beautiful image of Islam to the Spanish people and may all Ahmadi Muslims who live here fulfil their responsibilities in this regard.”

To further mark the occasion, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, also unveiled a plaque to commemorate the inauguration of the Mosque.

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The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and Fifth Khalifa, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad has spoken at length about the perilous state of the world and the impending threat of a nuclear war.

Whilst delivering the keynote address, on the occasion of the 10^th Annual Peace Symposium at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in London, His Holiness warned of catastrophic consequences if true justice at all levels was not observed. He said the risk of a nuclear war was real and was the biggest threat to today’s civilisation.

The event attracted an audience of more than 1,000 people, including Government Ministers, Ambassadors of State, Members of both Houses of Parliament and various other dignitaries and guests from all walks of life. The theme of this year’s Symposium was ‘The Pathway to Peace’.

During his keynote address Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad spoke about the need for peace and justice; the escalating conflicts in the Far East; the war in Syria and the increasing risks of a global, nuclear war. He also offered a solution for global unrest based on the teachings of the Holy Qur’an.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad began by speaking about the pressing needs of the time. He said:

“To strive for peace is a noble ambition and is something that the world has always stood in great need of. If we look at the situation of the world today, we realise that now, more than ever, it is a pressing and urgent need of the time for us to seek and pursue peace and harmony in the world.”

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that whilst Islam advocated fairness, equality and justice at all levels, even the majority of the world’s Muslims had forgotten these teachings.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad appealed for change to save society:

“If we want true peace and if we want to save the world from destruction then we must act with justice, integrity and be ever faithful to the truth.”

The global Muslim leader spoke of his concern about escalating conflicts in the Far East, particularly between North and South Korea and between China and Japan. He said the Western world was not immune from the effects of such conflicts and that the United States was already directly involved in both of these disputes due to its close alliances with South Korea and Japan. He said that North Korea had not been shy in threatening to use its nuclear weapons and did not seem to care about the consequences of its actions.

In terms of the continuing devastation taking place in Syria, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, warned that assuming the overthrow of the Government would lead to instant peace was not supported by recent history.

He said that the “so-called revolutions” that had taken place in Egypt and Libya showed that regime change did not necessarily mean peace and better international relations.

In terms of a solution to Syria’s unrest, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said a recent proposal by Israel’s President Shimon Peres to send a United Nations peacekeeping force made up solely of Arab soldiers should be considered. President Peres said that if Western nations or soldiers were to become directly involved it would be viewed as a Western invasion or as Western imperialism.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that it was not certain that warfare would remain restricted to Asia but due to strained financial circumstances unrest was developing in Europe as well. He appealed for peaceful and fair talks between nations as a means to curb rising tensions and the threat of war.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“It is the duty of all powers to fulfil the requirements of justice and to unite together. All parties need to increase dialogue and open the lines of communication so that they can peacefully discuss the best means to solve the problems of the world.”

The Khalifa of the Promised Messiah^(as) pledged to continue to counsel all parties towards peace and justice. Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“I will, God Willing, always continue to carry out my task and my responsibilities of promoting peace, tolerance, justice and compassion to the corners of the world. I will continue to tell all people that in order to be relieved of the pain and suffering that we face today, we must adopt true justice and equality.”

Before the keynote address, various dignitaries spoke about the importance of peace and the means to achieve it.

Rafiq Hayat, the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat UK, said 2013 was an historic year for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community as it marked its 100^th anniversary in the United Kingdom.

Siobhain McDonagh, MP and Chair of the UK ‘All Party Parliamentary Group for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’, said:

“In the past several years I have learned a great deal about Islam from your Community – I have learned that Islam is built on the rights of life, equality, tolerance and justice.”

Stephen Hammond MP said:

“I know that in the next month His Holiness (Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad) will have been Caliph for 10 years and what a 10 years that has been. The spirit of volunteering which we see in your Community is the spirit of peace.”

Dr Charles Tannock MEP and Chair of the European Parliament’s ‘Friends of Ahmadiyya Muslims Group’ said:

“I had a remarkable opportunity to host two events in the European Parliament, the last of which was in December, when His Holiness (Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad) graced us with his presence. It was a very well attended and extremely successful event.”

Dr Andrew Bennett, Canadian Ambassador for Religious Freedom said:

“Just one month ago, I was announced by Canada’s Prime Minister Stephen Harper as the first Ambassador for Canada’s newly created Office of Religious Freedom at the Ahmadiyya Mosque in Vaughan, Ontario… At the February 19 event where the office was announced, we emphasised that Canada would be a faithful friend of the Ahmadi Muslims around the world.”

Rt Hon Ed Davey MP, Secretary of State for Energy & Climate Change said:

“I would like to start by thanking and paying tribute to Your Holiness for inviting us all and for holding your 10^th Peace Symposium and showing the leadership you do, both here in the UK and around the world, to bring people together of all faiths to champion peace. You help everyone understand each other better and you teach us to look into our hearts to make sure love is in our hearts. And that religious leadership you give and that message is very welcome and we thank you for it.”

The 4^th Annual ‘Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Peace’ was presented by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad to Dr Oheneba Boachie-Adjei, in recognition of his outstanding work in the promotion of peace through his life-changing medical work that has provided hope and a future for thousands of people in the developing world. Accepting the award in person, Dr Boachie-Adjei said he was “deeply honoured and humbled” to receive the award and also said it was of great importance for all people to “to remember our roots and give back”.

Both before, and after the conclusion of proceedings, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad met personally with various dignitaries, guests and held a number of meetings.