“Instead of letting ordinary people build better lives for their families, why are the world’s leaders propelling mankind towards the precipice of an unthinkable calamity? – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

“Certain major powers are acting with impunity, brazenly disregarding international norms and pursuing narrow self-interests above all else.” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

“I firmly believe that, whilst certain individuals and nations covet the power, wealth and resources of others, the common heart of humanity simply wishes to live in peace.” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

“Let us act now, so that those who come after us may inherit a world of peace and prosperity, rather than bear the burden of our failures.” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

On 16 May 2026, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Worldwide Head and Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, delivered the keynote address at the 19^th National Peace Symposium hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK.

The event was held for the first time in the Masroor Hall, located in the Mubarak Mosque complex of Islamabad in Tilford, Surrey. The event was attended by over 600 people who had gathered from across the world. Guests included Ministers of State, Members of Parliament, representatives of local government, academics, representatives of the media, as well as a range of people from communities across the United Kingdom and abroad.

During the proceedings, His Holiness awarded the Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Peace 2025 to Mr Gregoire Ahongbonon, founder of St Camille Association.

In the keynote address, His Holiness spoke of rising conflicts and wars around the world and stated that it was up to world leaders, governments and all people to focus on bringing an end to warfare. His Holiness criticised certain Governments and leaders for failing to adhere to the principles of justice, which he outlined as the fundamental cause of unrest in the world.

His Holiness remarked on the ‘double standards’ that exist in international relations, wherein nations are willing to turn a blind eye to the faults or injustices of their allies, whilst taking firm action against those who they consider to be their opponents. His Holiness cited various leaders and analysts, who in recent times, had condemned warfare and injustice. Whilst he praised their words, he said action was required to address the root causes of injustice in the world. His Holiness also addressed critics of Islam by stating that wars being fought today had no link to Islam or any other religion and were being fought to fulfil vested geopolitical interests and motivated often by greed and selfishness. His Holiness concluded by speaking about the standard of justice advocated by Islam and prayed for the peace of the world.

Opening his address, His Holiness noted that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been hosting the event for more than two decades, and that some people quite reasonably ask what benefit it has brought and whether it has led to any meaningful change in society.

With regards to this, His Holiness said:

“Many influential people, including politicians, scholars and religious leaders, have condemned the rising tide of global warfare and injustice and urged governments and citizens alike to prioritise peace and security. When such people, who in the eyes of the world, have fame and influence, see their warnings go unheeded, who then, will listen to my voice, or the voice of our Community?”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“Nevertheless, my response is that Islam teaches us to strive relentlessly for good and to never give up.  And what greater good could there be than striving to save humanity from self-destruction? If we do not put a halt to the warfare, violence, hatred and injustice that is rapidly corroding the fabric of modern society, it shall not only cause widespread devastation in our lifetimes but shall cast a long shadow over the lives of the generations that follow.”

His Holiness stated that more than 70 million people perished during the Second World War, most of them innocent civilians. Whilst much of the destruction remained confined to that era, Japan suffered a uniquely horrific tragedy when two atomic bombs were dropped in 1945. His Holiness noted that beyond the immediate loss of life, the effects of radiation continued to impact future generations, with studies showing increased risks of disabilities and stillbirths among those exposed.

Commenting on this, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“In 1945, only the United States possessed an atom bomb, but today, several nations possess nuclear weapons, whose power and destructive capabilities dwarf the bombs dropped on Japan. Consequently, if, God forbid, even one or two countries ever deployed such weapons, the resulting carnage and catastrophic long-term effects would be far beyond our comprehension.”

Thereafter, His Holiness explained that whilst some world leaders and influential figures are warning against warfare and injustice and urging nations to step back from the brink before it is too late, others are moving in the opposite direction.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Instead of letting ordinary people build better lives for their families, why are the world’s leaders propelling mankind towards the precipice of an unthinkable calamity? Indeed, as humanity, we must ask ourselves why we are waging war not only against one another but against our children, grandchildren and future generations.”

His Holiness then proceeded to present a selection of recent statements made by public figures about modern warfare and the failure to uphold justice in the world.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad quoted Michael Higgins, the former President of Ireland, and how he warned that the world has entered an era in which the belligerent rhetoric of war dominates global discourse, whilst traditional diplomacy and the search for common ground have been cast aside.

Similarly, His Holiness also quoted Slovakia’s Prime Minister, Robert Fico, who stated recently that, ‘everyone is talking about war. Everywhere, everyone is rattling their weapons.’

His Holiness then explained that words alone are not enough, and that those with authority and influence must take practical action in order to fulfil the objectives they speak about.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Whilst I commend anyone who speaks out against injustice, those who wield authority and influence must also demonstrate the practical steps they are taking to make good on their words. Unfortunately, when it comes to actual policies or taking decisive action, they do little or nothing. Mere words, no matter how impressive or wise, cannot bring about peace on their own.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“The Pope and others are now acknowledging what I have long warned about – that a world war has already begun and that piece by piece, the world is sleepwalking ever deeper into its grip.”

Subsequently, His Holiness quoted the likes of Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish Prime Minister, who said that great wars break out due to a chain of responses from both warring parties that get out of hand.

Commenting on this, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated:

“This is a wise and important observation – that injustice by one party does not give a licence to others to do the same.”

He continued:

“Today, certain major powers are acting with impunity, brazenly disregarding international norms and pursuing narrow self-interests above all else.  Yet they ought to remember that unjust or illegal actions are never conducted in a vacuum. They should not be blind to the reality that they too will suffer if the world descends into chaos and the foundations of peace are shattered.  Undoubtedly, injustice is a malignant virus that spreads rapidly.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further said:

“If today the major powers violate international laws with no consequence, then tomorrow lesser powers will be emboldened to act with equal disregard for law and human life.”

Continuing his address, His Holiness stated that when certain nations fear their power is under threat, they resort to force and injustice in an attempt to preserve their supremacy, whilst those subjected to such oppression can eventually become consumed by a desire for revenge.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Precisely for this reason, Islam teaches that we should restrain the hand of the oppressor and the oppressed. While we are duty-bound to aid the oppressed, we must equally ensure they do not pursue vengeance and remain strictly within the bounds of proportionality.”

His Holiness said that US economist Jeffrey Sachs had offered a stark assessment of the world’s failure to learn the lessons of history, arguing that the international frameworks established after the Second World War had been dismantled, leaving the United Nations as ineffective today as the League of Nations was in the late 1930s.

Remarking on this, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The failure of the United Nations is something I have addressed many times. It continues to operate under a system in which the five permanent members of the Security Council hold an absolute veto – a privilege and power far beyond that of other nations. This fundamental inequality lies at the heart of its failure. If, however, true justice and fairness existed in international relations, neither the United States, nor Israel, nor Iran, nor any other nation would have any cause to resort to war.”

His Holiness referred to remarks made earlier this year by Canada’s Prime Minister, Mark Carney, who said that the rules-based international order was fading and that the strong now impose their will upon the weak. His Holiness explained that whilst such comments acknowledged the inequality that exists in global affairs, powerful nations must recognise that force and coercion only lead to greater frustration, instability and disorder.

His Holiness also cited recent comments by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who warned that the international order based on rights and rules was under threat. However, His Holiness noted that many powerful nations continue to prioritise strategic interests over justice and often ignore the wrongdoing of their allies.

Quoting a Spanish MEP, Irene Montero, His Holiness noted that many innocent women and children fall victim to the effects of war, and many lose their lives.

She said: “No woman has ever been freed by American bombs or illegal aggression. Not in Syria. Not in Iraq. Not in Lebanon. Not in Afghanistan. And it will not happen in Iran either. We are fed up with our rights, our bodies, and the violence women suffer being used as excuses to justify illegal bombings and imperialist aggression.”

Commenting on this, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Her words expose a sobering truth – that powerful nations seek to justify their injustices and wars on false pretexts of defending human rights.  Increasingly, people are waking up to the dangers of the moment.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“Yet it is a cause of grief for all sincere Muslims to know that many people seek to blame Islam and claim it to be the cause of the world’s disorder. Such allegations, amplified by mainstream and social media, are utterly false and extremely harmful. Rather than scapegoating Islam or any other religion, what the world urgently needs is for people to unite with a common purpose – the establishment of peace and harmony.”

Thereafter, His Holiness explained that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has always been at the forefront of establishing peace and will continue to do so. His Holiness said that events like these reflect the Community’s hope that it “may foster mutual understanding and, at the very least, inspire some people to serve the cause of peace.”

Speaking on the efforts of advancing peace, His Holiness reminded the audience that he had written to several world leaders urging them to set aside their differences and work together for the sake of humanity.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“For example, I wrote to the Israeli Prime Minister invoking the teachings of the Torah, and to the Iranian President and other Muslim leaders drawing upon the Holy Quran – urging them all towards justice and reconciliation.

I extended the same message urging peace to the British Prime Minister, the US President, China’s President and many other heads of state. My sole objective was that they might reflect upon the deteriorating state of the world and recognise the existential risks facing humanity. Sadly, they were not willing to listen. And the ever-increasing volatility and disorder in the world is testament to that failure.”

His Holiness stated that Islam is often viewed as a source of extremism and global conflict. His Holiness described this as a grave injustice, explaining that the causes of modern instability lie not in religion, but in geopolitical failures and the pursuit of power by wealthy and influential nations.

His Holiness explained that far from promoting conflict, Islam offers timeless principles for establishing peace. To illustrate this, His Holiness cited Chapter 4, verse 136 of the Holy Qur’an, which commands Muslims to uphold justice even if it is against themselves, their parents or their loved ones.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated:

“Here, Allah calls on Muslims to uphold absolute justice and equity. It requires a person to stand ready to testify against himself, his parents, his loved ones or his community for the sake of truth and justice… a person’s social rank or material wealth counts for nothing in the eyes of God – what matters is the sincerity of one’s commitment to truth and justice.”

Similarly, His Holiness recited Chapter 5, verse 9 of the Holy Qur’an, which states that a people’s enmity should not incite anyone to act otherwise than with justice.

With regards to this verse, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Here too, Allah commands Muslims to uphold fairness and integrity in all circumstances – even towards those who stand against them. It is easy to fulfil the rights of those on your side – the far greater test is to fulfil the rights of those who oppose you.”

His Holiness mentioned chapter 49 verse 10 of the Holy Qur’an in which Allah the Almighty states that if two nations or parties engage in conflict, it is the duty of others to strive to reconcile them.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad explained:

“Should a peace deal be established but then violated by one party, others must unite against the aggressor and apply proportionate force to bring an end to their cruelties. Yet, once the aggressor returns to peace, they must not be subjected to revenge. Rather, their honour and dignity must be respected. This is the means of ensuring sustainable peace.  In every situation – whether dealing with the mighty or the weak, the righteous or the transgressor – Islam teaches us to act with fairness… it cannot be that one nation expects concessions from others whilst refusing to make any of its own.”

His Holiness then stated that he firmly believes that justice is a universal right belonging to all people equally. His Holiness explained that truth and goodness should be accepted regardless of a person’s faith or background, and that one should never reject an opportunity for justice simply because it comes from someone of a different religion.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Although I speak from an Islamic perspective, I firmly believe that justice is a universal principle that serves as the guarantor of peace at every level of society and amongst the people of all faiths and beliefs.  Religious differences should never cause a person to reject wisdom from the follower of another faith or tradition.”

His Holiness continued:

“Islam teaches that every wise word is the ‘lost property’ of a believer – to be adopted wherever it is found, whether it comes from a Christian, a Jew, an atheist or anyone else. Such an open-minded spirit not only enhances a person’s moral character but also deepens their commitment to justice, tolerance and peace.”

Thereafter, His Holiness stated that although the world stands on the brink of disaster, there still remains an opportunity to save humanity.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Despite the troubling global realities I have outlined, I firmly believe that, whilst certain individuals and nations covet the power, wealth and resources of others, the common heart of humanity simply wishes to live in peace. Every person, therefore, has a role to play. And the urgency of that role weighs heavier by the day.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“As the Pope said, a Third World War has begun ‘piecemeal’ and we must strive to halt its spread before it engulfs the entire world. Otherwise, I fear its scale and the subsequent loss of life shall far eclipse the horrors of the previous two world wars, reaching a level unprecedented in the history of mankind.

Such a catastrophe will not be ours alone – its long and haunting shadow will darken the horizon of future generations. So, we must not only think of ourselves. Instead, we all have a duty to consider the world we are leaving behind for our children and those who follow us.”

Towards the end of his address, His Holiness called for the world to unite and act now before it is too late.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Let us act now, so that those who come after us may inherit a world of peace and prosperity, rather than bear the burden of our failures. Let us act now, so we may spare ourselves the reproachful glances of our children asking why we bequeathed to them a world set on fire.”

His Holiness continued:

“Only then will this Peace Symposium have fulfilled the promise of its name and not merely be a gathering of good intentions, but a turning point in the pursuit of peace. Indeed, it is my profound hope and prayer that this event serves as a true catalyst for peace and justice, bringing forth a lasting change in the world.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued and ended his address with the following words and prayers:

“May Allah the Almighty enable mankind to understand the gravity of this moment and may all people, irrespective of their faiths and beliefs, join together in the common purpose of establishing peace in the world.

May the dark clouds of warfare that hover menacingly all around us dissipate and give way to bright blue skies of peace, love and compassion.

With these words, once again, I express my deepest gratitude to you all for joining us this evening.”

Earlier in the evening, several speakers addressed the attendees at the National Peace Symposium. A welcome address was delivered by the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK, Rafiq Hayat, who welcomed the guests and dignitaries to the 19th National Peace Symposium.

Following this, Greg Stafford (MP of Farnham and Bordon) stated that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is one that understands that true peace can only be achieved through unity rather than division. He praised the Community’s local efforts as commendable and thanked His Holiness and the organisers for inviting him.

Thereafter, Sir Ed Davey, the leader of the Liberal Democrat Party, stated that he knew of no other community that so consistently advocates for peace and brings together people from all walks of life like the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He also noted that His Holiness is a world leader who speaks the most about the urgent need for peace in today’s tumultuous world.

Seema Malhotra MP for Feltham and Heston, thanked His Holiness and the organisers for the opportunity to speak at the National Peace Symposium and for bringing together leaders from different faiths, communities and public life in pursuit of the important cause of peace.

The recipient of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Peace 2025, Mr Gregoire Ahongbonon, founder of St Camille Association, spoke of how his organisation sought to break stigma of mental health challenges in Africa and had treated over 200,000 people to date.