The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and Fifth Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, inaugurated Baitul Muqeet Mosque in Auckland on 1 November 2013 as he delivered his weekly Friday Sermon from the new Mosque.
The inauguration took place on the first day of the 25th Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in New Zealand.
After unveiling a plaque to commemorate the opening of the Mosque, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered the Friday Sermon during which he outlined the real objectives of a Mosque. His Holiness also spoke of the earnest desire of the Ahmadis living in New Zealand to build a Mosque.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“The Ahmadiyya Community has been established here in New Zealand for 25 years and so it was a great and sincere desire of its members, that despite being relatively small in numbers, they should build and present a gift of a Mosque to Allah the Almighty.”
Outlining the eternal rewards associated with building a Mosque, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“The Holy Prophetsa has said that whosoever builds a House of God in this world, Allah the Almighty builds a home for him in Heaven. Who is there that would not want to attain a house in Paradise?”
The Khalifa said that upon the building of the Mosque it was the duty of local Ahmadis to strive ever more to attain God’s pleasure. He said it was essential that Ahmadis truly gave priority to their faith over all worldly matters.
His Holiness also said the local Ahmadi Muslims should seek to convey the true and peaceful teachings of Islam to all parts of the country.
After the completion of the Friday Sermon and Prayers, New Zealand’s National Television (TVNZ) interviewed Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad. During the interview he said all peaceful people were welcome in the new Mosque regardless of their faith or background.
He also said that he hoped that the new Mosque would soon prove to be too small and that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was able to build more Mosques in New Zealand during the coming years.