Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community addresses Ahmadi Muslim Youths about Importance of Religious and Secular Education
More than 180 British Muslim children attend week-long camp in which they pledged loyalty to the UK
On 14 April 2014, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Fifth Khalifa, addressed the concluding session of a week-long moral training and educational camp attended by more than 180 Muslim children and teenagers that was held in the picturesque market town of Haslemere in Surrey.
The event was organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association in the UK with the aim of educating the children about the true and peaceful teachings of Islam and the essential need for British Muslims to show loyalty and love to the United Kingdom.
During his concluding address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad urged the children to be proud of their Muslim identity; he spoke of the knowledge contained within the Holy Quran; he advised the children to fulfil their academic potential and spoke to them about the power of prayer.
Speaking about Islam’s teachings, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Islam is the most beautiful and wonderful religion. The very meaning of the word ‘Islam’ is ‘peace’, ‘love’ and ‘security’ and so no sane person can ever oppose or deny its beauty when they learn of this reality.”
Speaking about the need for Muslim children to be proud of their faith, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Do not ever hide your faith, but identify yourselves to the world as true Muslims…
Be firm in your conviction that the Holy Quran is a complete Book that not only commands Muslims to worship Allah, to pray 5 times daily and to increase their spiritual knowledge, but it also gives worldly insights and guides mankind about general day-to-day issues.”
Speaking about how Muslims should conduct themselves, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“It is extremely important that you always treat everyone with whom you come into contact with kindness and sincerity. Remember that taking care of one another is a basic teaching of the Holy Quran.”
His Holiness said that the Holy Quran was a “spiritual treasure-chest” filled with “unlimited knowledge.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“The Quran throws light upon science, history, economics and so much more. It teaches us about human rights – such as the rights of women, the rights of the poor and deprived and the rights of the child. The Quran educates us about family matters and about fulfilling the rights of one another. In truth, all types of knowledge are contained within the Holy Quran.”
The Khalifa praised the British education system and said that Ahmadi Muslim children living in the UK should be grateful for the vast opportunities they had.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Do not waste these golden educational opportunities, but instead grasp them and seek to achieve excellence in your chosen fields of interest – whether it is science or other subjects.”
The Khalifa concluded by speaking about the importance of prayer. He said God listened to and answered sincere prayers.
Citing his own experiences about prayer, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Ever since I was a child I have seen that wherever I have sincerely asked Allah for anything and have wept before Him, He has always fulfilled my needs and wishes. He has answered my prayers in ways that are even better than I had hoped or expected.”