Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community delivers Friday Sermon in Frankfurt, Germany

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad reflects on blessings of current tour and opportunity to spread Islam’s true teachings  

On 9 September 2016, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered his weekly Friday Sermon at the Baitus Subuh Mosque in Frankfurt, Germany.

During his sermon, His Holiness reflected upon the blessings of God Almighty witnessed at the recently held Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Germany.

His Holiness said that organising the three-day event had required tremendous levels of organisation and effort. Thousands of Ahmadi Muslim men, women and children from across Germany had volunteered their services.

His Holiness said it was incumbent upon all those who attended or who watched the proceedings on MTA International to offer their gratitude to the volunteers who had selflessly dedicated their time in this cause.

“The Ahmadi Muslim men, women and children who devoted their time and effort to organise the Jalsa Salana are all worthy of our gratitude and sincere thanks. I wish to personally express my appreciation to all of them for the way in which they cared for the guests of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him). May Allah the Almighty reward them all.”

His Holiness stated that where the Jalsa Salana was a source of moral and spiritual rejuvenation for Ahmadi Muslims, it had also had a profound effect on many people from outside of the community.

Dozens of people were even moved to join the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community after witnessing true and peaceful Islamic teachings in place at the event.

Thereafter, His Holiness cited some examples of the positive impact the event had on guests who were not members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The spiritual atmosphere of the Jalsa Salana is a subtle way of informing people about the true peaceful teachings of Islam. Therefore, it is necessary for every Ahmadi Muslim to act in the best way at all times and to display the highest moral standards. Our aim is not to please or impress others, rather it is to represent the true and blessed teachings of Islam in our words and in our deeds.”

His Holiness mentioned a group of non-Muslim ladies who attended the event and who chose to spend the day on the ladies side of the Jalsa Salana.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The ladies openly proclaimed that they felt extremely comfortable being amongst ladies only and felt a sense of liberation and independence.”

His Holiness also mentioned other official engagements that took place during his tour of Germany, including the inauguration of two Mosques and the foundation stone laying ceremonies of two others.

His Holiness said that at a Mosque opening in Iserlohn he had the opportunity to address the question of why Muslims preferred not to shake the hands of people with the opposite gender. He had explained the wisdom and reasoning underpinning this religious teaching and spoke of the need to be respectful of the beliefs of other people.

His Holiness added that it was important that Muslims explained their teachings with sensitivity and care and never with harshness.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“We can never force anyone to accept our beliefs, as religion is a matter of the heart. At the same time, we must never shy away from our own beliefs due to a fear of what others might think of us. The teachings of Islam are so balanced and filled with wisdom that no Ahmadi Muslim should ever feel a sense of inferiority or complex. We must always display the very highest morals and have the courage of our convictions.”  @AhmadiyyatIslam

Photos: Courtesy of Makhzan-­e-­Tasaweer
 

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New Ahmadiyya Mosque opened in Morfelden-Walldorf, Germany by Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

The Subhan Mosque inaugurated by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is pleased to announce that on 6 September 2016, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad inaugurated the Subhan Mosque (Mosque of Purity) in the German city of Morfelden-Walldorf.

Upon arrival, His Holiness officially inaugurated the Mosque by unveiling a commemorative plaque and offering a silent prayer in thanks to God Almighty.

His Holiness then led the Zuhr and Asr prayers at the new Mosque and later planted a tree at the Mosque premises to further mark the occasion.

Thereafter, a special reception, attended by around 150 dignitaries and guests, was held to mark the opening of the Mosque. 

Various dignitaries attended, including the Mayor of Morfelden-Walldorf.

The National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Germany, Abdullah Wagishauser gave a welcome address, followed by comments from guest speakers.

Representing the Protestant Church, Father Jochen Muhl said:

“I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community upon the inauguration of this Mosque. You are good people and our friends.” 

President of the Buddhist Community, Matthias Groninger said:

“It is a great honour for this town that His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad is visiting us. I congratulate you all on the building of this Mosque which I believe to be a symbol of peace.”

Mayor of Morfelden-Walldorf, Heinz-Peter Becker said:

“A fundamental human right is religious freedom and we see that here in Germany and it is part of our Constitution. Certainly, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community upholds human rights and is against all forms of religious compulsion.”

Thereafter, the keynote address was delivered by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad in which he addressed and explained various issues according to the teachings of Islam.

Speaking about how all religions in their original form were forces for peace, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad:

“All the major religions of the world are present in this town and if their followers act upon the true teachings of their respective religions then you will never see any conflict or division arise. All religions, in their original form, seek to establish values of peace, love and tolerance.” 

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“The purpose of a Mosque is to establish peace and indeed every true place of worship is a symbol of peace and harmony. When the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) was permitted to fight a defensive war it was for the sake of establishing the peace and freedom of belief.”

His Holiness said that the wars fought in early Islam were conducted for the sake of establishing universal religious freedom.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Where Islam granted the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) permission to engage in a defensive war it was in order to protect the people of all faiths and all places of worship. It was to protect churches, temples, synagogues, mosques and the places of worship of all people.”

Speaking of the need for people to join together and for increased dialogue, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Dialogue between different communities and groups is extremely important and the way to break down barriers and to foster mutual understanding. We should remember that we all make mistakes and have weaknesses and so it is better to focus on each other’s qualities and try to ignore their shortcomings. This is the way to build bridges and the means for peace.”

Concluding, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“A message of peace and harmony echoes in all directions from our Mosques wherever they are built and wherever our community is established. Now that this Mosque has been inaugurated, I am confident that the local Ahmadi Muslims will spread Islam’s message of love and peace far and wide.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“I pray that with each day that dawns the local people will come to the realisation ever more that this Mosque is not merely adding to the physical beauty of this town, but rather is a means of peace and security for them.”

The formal session concluded with a silent prayer led by His Holiness followed by dinner. @AhmadiyyatIslam

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New Ahmadiyya Mosque opened in Iserlohn, Germany by Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

The Salam Mosque inaugurated by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is pleased to announce that on 6 September 2016, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad inaugurated the Salam Mosque (Mosque of Peace) in the German city of Iserlohn.

Upon arrival, His Holiness officially inaugurated the Mosque by unveiling a commemorative plaque and offering a silent prayer in thanks to God Almighty.

His Holiness then led the Zuhr and Asr prayers at the new Mosque and later planted a tree at the Mosque premises to further mark the occasion.

Thereafter, a special reception, attended by more than 40 dignitaries and guests, was held to mark the opening of the Mosque. Various dignitaries attended including the Mayor of Iserlohn.

The National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Germany, Abdullah Wagishauser gave a welcome address, followed by comments from guest speakers.

Mayor of Iserlohn, Peter Paul Ahrens said:

“This Mosque is called ‘Salam’ and this means it is a Mosque of peace and certainly the Ahmadi Muslims in this area have always lived in this way. I also greatly appreciate that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community opens the doors of its Mosques to all people.”

Commissioner, Thomas Gemke said:

“I take this opportunity to congratulate you on the opening of the Salam Mosque here in Iserlohn. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has and continues to show its commitment to peace in this country.”

Thereafter, the keynote address was delivered by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad in which he addressed and explained various issues according to the teachings of Islam.

Speaking about how the Islamic greeting of ‘salam’ was a means of peace in society, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“When a Muslim greets anyone, whether Muslim or not, he greets them with a salutation of peace. If a Muslim understands the wisdom underpinning this greeting then it is impossible that he or she could ever seek to cause harm to anyone, whether Muslim or not.”

At a time when Islam was commonly portrayed as an extremist religion and Muslims were branded as disloyal citizens, His Holiness said that Ahmadi Muslims were faithfully serving the nations in which they lived according to the teachings of their religion.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“There are Ahmadi Muslims serving in the German army and other offices. For example, there are Ahmadi Muslims involved in research projects. They are serving the nation and working towards its betterment and progress with the intention of serving it in the best way. However, they are not doing any favour upon this nation because serving your country is a necessary part of the Islamic faith and so it is their religious duty and obligation. Every Ahmadi Muslim living in Germany, no matter where they are from, must become a loyal member of this nation and serve it with sincerity.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued: 

“In a couplet, the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community wrote that serving humanity was amongst his foremost objectives. This is in fact the teaching of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him). Hence, serving others, irrespective of their faith or beliefs, is a fundamental task and purpose of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.”

His Holiness said the new Mosque would prove to be a symbol of peace and security and would be a means of peace for the local society and neighbours.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Islam has established and enshrined the rights of one’s neighbours and according to its teachings the scope of one’s neighbour is extremely vast. It includes work colleagues, those who travel with you, your acquaintances and all those who live nearby. Hence, in essence all of the people of this city are our neighbours and so it is the duty of the local Ahmadi Muslims to serve and care for all members of the society.”

His Holiness said that selflessness was a key component in the development of peace. He said Islam taught that people should forsake their own rights for the sake of others.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: 

“A while ago someone asked me how we could establish peace in society and what my definition of peace was. I answered by saying that in my opinion the definition of peace was to seek to fulfil the rights of other people, rather than to demand or seek your own rights. If all people fulfil the rights of others then conflict or discord is impossible. Certainly, this is the type of society Ahmadi Muslims desire and strive for.”

Reflecting upon the sudden influx of refugees into Germany during the past year, His Holiness said that both the host nation and the refugees should respect one another.

His Holiness said that immigrants should seek to integrate and contribute to the local society. He said that learning the German language was extremely important and that he had instructed Ahmadi Muslim Imams to deliver sermons in the local language.

His Holiness said that the vast majority of Ahmadi Muslims living in Germany had learned German and that the Ahmadi Muslim youth living in the country spoke it as their first language.

Earlier in the proceedings one of the guest speakers had spoken of the fact that Muslims preferred not to shake the hands of people of the opposite sex.

During his address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad responded directly to these comments. 

His Holiness noted that the issue of the handshake was not something that defined integration and that in a free society people should have the right to greet others according to their customs and beliefs. He said that a woman ought not be forced to shake the hand of a man and vice versa.

His Holiness said this was part of Islamic faith and it would be entirely wrong to claim that it was a sign of inequality. His Holiness pointed to the fact that Islam had established the rights of women from the outset and far earlier than in the Western world.

His Holiness also referred to unjust ‘double standards’ in such matters. He noted that there were people of the Jewish faith who did not shake hands with people of the opposite sex but no one dared to criticise them out of fear of being branded anti-Semitic.

He said that integration was not defined by handshakes or other minor issues, but was defined by a desire to serve one’s nation and to work for its progress and to be peaceful and law abiding citizens. 

Concluding, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“I hope and expect that now this Mosque has been built the local Ahmadi Muslims will convey the true message of Islam and where they will fulfil their obligations of worship, they will also fulfil the rights of their neighbours. They should serve them even more than previously and fulfil the rights of both the women and men in this region. May Allah enable them to do this.”  

The formal session concluded with a silent prayer led by His Holiness followed by dinner. @AhmadiyyatIslam

Photos: Makhzan-e-Tasaweer

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