On 2 November 2013 the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and Fifth Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, delivered the keynote address at a Special Reception held to mark the inauguration of the Baitul Muqeet Mosque in Auckland.
The event was attended by more than 50 non-Ahmadi dignitaries and guests, including Judith Collins, Minister of Justice and Minister for Ethnic Affairs and David Rutherford, New Zealand’s Chief Human Rights Commissioner.
During his keynote address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad spoke about the true purposes of Mosques; Islam’s commitment to freedom of religion; he discussed modern forms of slavery and he repeated his concerns that the world was heading towards a devastating global war.
The Khalifa began his address by praising the tolerant attitude of the local people.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“The fact you have come to attend the Mosque Opening, despite holding differences of religion, demonstrates your enlightened minds and broad vision. Indeed, it proves that you desire for New Zealand to be a country where all religions can stand side by side and flourish. And you desire that regardless of a person’s religion, he is treated as an equal citizen of the country.”
His Holiness added:
“It is a universal truth that religion is a matter of the heart and no-one’s heart can be forced to believe in a particular religion. It is for this very reason that the Holy Quran says that there should be no compulsion in matters of religion.”
The world leader continued by reassuring the people of New Zealand that true Mosques were centres of peace rather than of terrorism or extremism.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Fear of Islam has developed because some non-Muslims are not familiar with Islam’s true teachings and so their views are strongly influenced by the heavily publicised hate-filled acts of extremist Muslim groups. And so, perhaps they believe that a Mosque built in the area will become a centre of disorder and of a lack of peace. Let me very clearly state that this concept of a Mosque is absolutely wrong.”
Speaking about the objectives underpinning the construction of the Auckland Mosque, His Holiness said:
“It has been built so the Ahmadis can gather together to worship God. It has been built so they can join together to devise plans to fulfil the rights of man and to serve humanity. And it has been built so they can supplicate before God praying that they increase in their standards of love and loyalty to their nation.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad went on to speak about his concerns for today’s world. Speaking about unjust financial burdens being placed on weaker nations, His Holiness said:
“People and weaker nations are being financially enslaved, whereby those in desperate need are forced to take loans with unjust conditions attached, which enchain them in a cycle of despair. The unjust conditions include forcing weaker countries to abide by certain policies or forcing upon them political deals that are not in their long-term interests… Islam entirely condemns and rejects this type of slavery and bondage.”
The Khalifa outlined his fears that the world was heading towards a devastating global war.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Today, there is a huge risk of a world war and this is a direct result of the fact that some countries and governments are not fulfilling the rights of their people, whilst conversely the people are not fulfilling the rights of their leaders and governments. Neither are the major powers making decisions at an international level that keep in view justice, and nor are the smaller countries realising their own responsibilities.”
Earlier in the evening a range of dignitaries also addressed the audience.
Judith Collins MP (Minister of Justice & Minister for Ethnic Affairs) said:
“It is a great achievement for your community to build this mosque and also completing the translation of the Holy Quran into Maori – congratulations. Your values of peace and respect are clear in the way you embrace New Zealand’s culture and promote social harmony.”
David Rutherford (Chief Human Rights Commissioner, New Zealand) said:
“The translation of the Quran into Maori is a great gift to New Zealand. Its translation is a manifestation of your desire for all people to live together. There is no better statement for peace than what your community proclaims – that is ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’.”
Dr Richard Worth (former Minister of Internal Affairs) said:
“It is a great privilege to be here in such a setting which will prove to be a centerpiece for your community. We support this Mosque and this Community.”
Reverend Bruce Keeley (Anglican Priest) said:
“On behalf of the Christian community I offer congratulations on the launch of the Kuranu Tapu and the inauguration of this Mosque. It is truly an auspicious occasion. We must strive for peace and that is what the Ahmadiyya Community is doing.”
Upon the conclusion of the event, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad met personally with non-Ahmadi guests many of whom expressed their appreciation of the keynote address.
