During his weekly Friday Sermon, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad advised Muslim nations to rely on God rather than major powers for their prosperity, to prioritise unity amongst one another and work towards finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. 

The Muslim world should forgo reliance on Western powers for its security and should peacefully unite to be saved from the machinations of those who seek to harm them, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, urged during his weekly Friday Sermon. 

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The United States has established military bases in many Muslim countries. But for what purpose? From whom, after all, were these nations facing a threat? In reality, it was these very powers that themselves created the threats. Thereafter, the narrative was advanced that these [Muslim] countries were in danger, and therefore it was necessary to establish military bases to safeguard them.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further stated: 

“Due to the presence of these bases, the likelihood of attacks upon Arab countries increased, and such attacks eventually did occur. As a result, their economies are also being severely damaged… Yet, against the very forces from whom Muslims might genuinely face danger, these powers would never employ their strength or weaponry. ”

Speaking from the Mubarak Mosque in Tilford, UK, which serves as the headquarters of the global community of 20 million Ahmadi Muslims, he warned that the conflict in the Middle East could easily continue to spiral out of control, and Arab nations would suffer most if this war continues. 

With the war spreading across the Gulf, His Holiness said Western powers were trying to take advantage of the divisions within the Muslim world.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: 

“The governments of Muslim countries, their politicians and rulers should set aside their personal interests and instead strive for the unity of the Muslim Ummah.” 

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Western powers have instigated unrest within Muslim countries, and then, gradually, by fuelling that unrest, continued to spread it from one country to another. It seems evident they wished to use their power to seize control of the resources of these countries and bring them under their influence.”

Muslims should not rely on Western powers for their security and prosperity, His Holiness further advised. 

“They [Muslim nations] must not regard the great powers of the world as their gods, for the only power that endures forever is the power of God Almighty. If these great powers are regarded as the ultimate authority, they will gradually seize control of the entire Muslim world, one country after another. These worldly powers have already destroyed the peace and stability of the world, and particularly the peace of the Muslim world, and they will continue to do so in the future as well.”

His Holiness said that the United States claimed it would attack Iran to liberate its people, and in particular, the women of Iran. However, His Holiness quoted a Spanish MEP who said it was false that this war was being waged by the United States for the freedom of Iranian women. 

Ms Irene Montero said: “No woman has ever been freed by American bombs or illegal aggression…And it will not happen in Iran either.

Commenting on the double standards in how the lives of innocent Muslim civilians are viewed in the West, Hazrat Mirza Maroor Ahmad said: “If one observes the situation in Western countries, some commentators themselves have begun to point out that if an attack were to occur in Israel, the United States, or any Western nation, and even a few of their children were killed, newspapers would publish column after column for days on end expressing outrage. Yet in Iran, a school is bombed, and hundreds of children are killed, and hardly anyone raises their voice. This was the situation in Palestine, and now the same is unfolding in Iran. It appears as though, in their view, the life of a Muslim carries little value.”

His Holiness condemned the coercive posture of the United States, which threatens other nations that fail to comply with its demands.   

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Countries that refuse to participate in wars are subjected to sanctions and punitive measures… in such circumstances, justice no longer remains. And when justice disappears, destruction inevitably follows.”

Praising the Spanish government’s stance on the conflict, His Holiness said the Prime Minister of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, “displayed the courage to state that Spain would neither take part in the war nor provide its bases.” 

His Holiness said it is merely an assumption when commentators state that the United States is facing economic losses and is taking on the financial burden of the war, stating that powerful nations make “meticulous calculations of every matter” and conduct “comprehensive assessments before acting.” His Holiness said that instead, the Arab nations will likely be made to bear the immense costs “under the pretext of providing them with defence.” 

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“On the one hand, their oil production is being disrupted, and inflation is rising … while on the other hand, they are compelled to cover these immense costs, which will gradually diminish or even exhaust their financial reserves. Ultimately, the Arab world will suffer severe economic damage. Although the Western world may also incur losses, the greatest harm will fall upon the Arab nations.”

His Holiness said, in his opinion and the view of various analysts, a world war has already started, but even now, if the Muslim world united, it could save itself from further harm. 

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said: 

“The Muslim world must strive to become peaceful and to live as brothers among one another. This is the true teaching of Islam, not that they should become people who cut one another’s throats… Only then will we be able to safeguard ourselves from the attacks of the world, maintain our dignity and honour, and prevent the forces opposed to Islam from tearing us apart from within.”

His Holiness said Arab nations and the government of Iran should strive to find a path towards reconciliation. “It is reported that China and certain other countries, including Pakistan, have offered to play a role in facilitating peace. One can only hope that the Muslim world comes to understand the importance of this matter.”

His Holiness concluded by praying for peace in the world and calling on members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to pray for peace and an end to all forms of injustice and cruelty in the world.