Calgary Mayor comes to meet Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad meets various dignitaries and holds media conference
The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and Fifth Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad was visited by the Mayor of Calgary, Naheed Nenshi and various other dignitaries at the Baitun Nur Mosque in Calgary on 25 May 2013. His Holiness also answered questions during a media conference.
During the 30-minute meeting, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and the Mayor discussed various issues including the means to tackle rising extremism and developing a peaceful and cohesive society.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“It is a dire need of the time to respond to all forms of fanaticism and extremism with Islam’s true message of peace and harmony.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said it was the duty of Muslims to inform all parties of the true teachings of the Quran and the real character of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). His Holiness said that to change attitudes and to confront extremism would be “a long process” but that he remained optimistic for the future.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“During a media interview here in Calgary I said the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will never give up striving to show the people of the world the true message of Islam. I said that if not this generation, then certainly future generations will come to see and accept Islam as a religion of peace that is against all atrocities.”
The meeting ended as Mayor Nenshi praised the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Calgary as “a community who serves our city each and every day.” Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad thanked the Mayor for his comments and said: “It is necessary for all peace-loving Muslims to join hands together against extremism.”
Later, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad held separate meetings with a delegation from Calgary Police, including Deputy Chief of Police Trevor Daroux (DCP) and Supt. Sat Parhar.
The DCP said “it was an amazing honour” to meet Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, whilst Supt. Parwar said “I will never forget this meeting. I have heard so much about your leadership.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad also met with Federal Member of Parliament, Devinder Shory in whose constituency the Baitun Nur Mosque falls.The MP condemned the persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in various countries and pledged to help and assist the Community. In response, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that the religious rights and freedoms of all peaceful communities should be protected.
Earlier, eight media organisations, including ‘CTV’ and the ‘Calgary Herald’, attended a media conference in which Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad answered their questions.
Upon being asked why he was in Calgary, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that he had travelled to meet the local Ahmadi Muslims and to further spread Islam’s message of peace and love to the wider society. His Holiness said these were his objectives whenever he visited any country or region.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad also used the media conference to make clear that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat’s message of peace and unity was not given in response to any recent act of extremism or terrorism, rather the Jamaat had promoted this message since its inception in 1889.
The media conference ended as Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“I want to make it clear that we are giving the true message of Islam, which is of peace, love and harmony.”