Ahmadiyya Muslims Reject Separatism

LONDON -

- Integration is Better for Society Says Islamic Leader

Convention Dates: July 24 - 26, 2009

Tens of thousands of Muslims gathering for Britain’s biggest annual convention in Hampshire this weekend will hear that integration and good neighbourliness is a duty of every believer.

A global audience of millions will watch proceedings live from the 43rd annual Jalsa Salana -the convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Worldwide Head (Khalifa) of the community, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad will address the convention on all three days.

One of his key messages is for Muslims not to cause disorder wherever they live and to become exemplary citizens:

“As the Quran says, you have been raised for the good of mankind - not just for the good of Muslims.

“Love of your country is a part of your faith. And, compliance of the laws of the land is a part of Sharia.

“Of course there should be no laws which interfered with a person’s right to his own personal worship. But if it was so, as Ahmadis have demonstrated in Pakistan, Muslims should endure the hardship or emigrate and not cause unrest.”

The community will be reminded: “Muslims must always remember that the only badge of honour recognised by Islam is the righteousness of a person’s life and his conduct and everything else is accidental or incidental. Good conduct of a person and his righteousness in everyday life is worth millions of words that he can pronounce in favour of his faith”

The head of the UK Ahmadiyya Muslim community Rafiq Hayat added:

“The need for integration means that Ahmadiyya Muslims must play their full part in society- and send their children to schools with the rest of the society of which they are a part - and not to special Islamic schools where they could be isolated from others on the basis of their faith.

“We must not contribute one iota towards dividing society but to heal divisions and build bridges between communities. The love of humanity is an expression of our faith.”

Contact: Basharat Nazir +44(0)7703-483-384 media@ahmadiyya.org.uk

Source: Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK

Contact: Basharat Nazir +44(0)7703-483-384 media at ahmadiyya.org.uk