Muslims Launch New Peace Campaign in Britain

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Calls for Peace in Words and Deeds

LONDON, January 18 - One of Britain's oldest established and peaceful Muslim communities is
launching a national doorstep and publicity campaign to reassert true Islamic
principles of peace and to counter the extremists who hijack the faith for
political ends.

The Rt Hon John Denham MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local
Government, has expressed support for the campaign and Minister Shahid Malik
MP, commended the Ahmadiyya Muslim community for "promoting an understanding
and exploration of Islam within wider British society."

The campaign will be launched with a message of loyalty, freedom and
peace on 100 buses in Central London on Monday 18 January followed by further
coverage in newspapers across the UK. Ahmadi Muslims will be personally
calling on nearly three million households and presenting people with a
leaflet that highlights Islam's commitment to fundamental values of loyalty,
freedom, equality, respect and peace.

The nationwide grassroots campaign, supported by a new website
www.LoveForAllHatredForNone.org seeks to change the perception of
Islam by clarifying its true teachings and emphasising the need for these to
be put in practice by all Muslims.

This drive to promote peace has been repeatedly emphasised by the
worldwide leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, His Holiness Hadhrat
Mirza Masroor Ahmad, who has said:

"A true Muslim can never raise his voice in hatred against his fellow
citizens, nor for that matter against the ruling authority or government of
the time…he should remain loyal and fully abide by the laws of the land of
which he is a subject."

The campaign comes at a time when Islamophobia is at a height - a recent
survey by an independent agency had found that a quarter of respondents had
described Islam as the 'worst religion' on earth.

Rafiq Hayat, the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association
UK said:

"The true peaceful Islam is poles apart from the hatred that is preached
by a minority. Such extremists do not represent Islam yet, through the media,
their words and deeds have a damaging impact on Muslims and non-Muslims every
day.

"By emphasising the values highlighted in this campaign we hope to
facilitate a better understanding of Islam so that people are able judge for
themselves the actions of those who claim to speak and act in its good name.
Islam stresses the promotion of peace in words and deeds."

The Ahmadiyya Muslim community's track record of promoting peace was
further acknowledged by Minister Shahid Malik MP, who said that the Community
"…can be proud of their commitment in championing the themes of 'loyalty,
freedom, equality, respect' and 'peace' - themes which help build stronger,
more cohesive communities."

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, established in 195 countries with 160
million followers, is renowned for its interfaith activities and humanitarian
efforts that reflect its motto of: Love for All, Hatred for None.

    Basharat Nazir
    Press Secretary
    Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK
    Baitul Futuh Mosque
    181 London Road
    Morden, Surrey SM4 5PT
    Phone: +44(0)7703483384
    media@ahmadiyya.org.uk
    www.LoveForAllHatredForNone.org

Basharat Nazir, Press Secretary, Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK, Baitul Futuh Mosque, 181 London Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 5PT, Phone: +44(0)7703483384, media at ahmadiyya.org.uk