Spiritual leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
Mirza Masroor Ahmad
|
---|
Mirza Masroor Ahmad in 2022
|
Title
| Amir al-Mu'minin
|
---|
|
Born
| (
1950-09-15
)
15 September 1950
(age 73)
|
---|
Religion
| Islam
|
---|
Spouse
|
Sahibzadi Amatul Sabooh Begum
(
m.
1977)
|
---|
Children
| - Mirza Waqas Ahmad
- Amtul Waris Fateh
|
---|
Parents
| - Mirza Mansoor Ahmad (father)
- Sahibzadi Nasira Begum (mother)
|
---|
Denomination
| Ahmadiyya
|
---|
Signature
| |
---|
|
Consecration
| 22 April 2003
|
---|
Predecessor
| Mirza Tahir Ahmad
|
---|
Post
| Caliph
|
---|
Mirza Masroor Ahmad
(
???? ????? ????
; born 15 September 1950) is the current and fifth leader of the
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
. His official title within the movement is
Fifth Caliph of the Messiah
(
Arabic
:
????? ?????? ??????
,
khal?fatul mas?h al-kh?mis
). He was elected on 22 April 2003, three days after the death of his predecessor
Mirza Tahir Ahmad
.
Following the death of the fourth caliph, the Electoral College, for the first time in the history of the community, convened outside the Indian subcontinent and in the city of London, after which Mirza Masroor Ahmad was elected as the fifth caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. At the very commencement of his accession, he found himself forced into exile from
Pakistan
in response to
pressure from the Government of Pakistan
.
[1]
Since being elected, he has travelled extensively across the world to meet the members of the community and address their
annual gatherings
. In many of the countries he has visited it has been the first visit by an Ahmadiyya caliph.
[
citation needed
]
Early life
Mirza Masroor Ahmad was born on 15 September 1950 in
Rabwah
, Pakistan, the global headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community at the time. He is a nephew of Mirza Tahir Ahmad, the fourth caliph, his mother being a sister of the fourth caliph.
[2]
Ghana
Having served the Community in various capacities, Masroor Ahmad served in
Ghana
for over eight years.
[3]
He established the Ahmadiyya Secondary School in
Salaga
, a school in the northern region of
Ghana
, where he served as principal for two years. His success with the school in Salaga made him an obvious choice as principal of the Ahmadiyya Secondary School in Essarkyir, located in the central region of Ghana. There he served as principal for four years.
[3]
After his tenure as principal, Masroor Ahmad was appointed as the manager of the Ahmadiyya Agricultural Farm in
Depali
located in the northern region of Ghana where he served for two years. He successfully planted and nurtured
wheat
for the first time in Ghana. The experiment of planting, growing and nurturing wheat as an economic crop in Ghana was exhibited at an international trade fair and the results were submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture of Ghana.
[3]
[4]
Imprisonment
In 1999, a resolution was presented in the
Provincial Assembly of the Punjab
which demanded that the name of Rabwah be changed because that name appeared in the
Qur'an
. The resolution passed without much debate and the name of Rabwah was officially changed to
Chenab Nagar
. Signage was placed in prominent parts of Rabwah which bore the new name. A few days later, a
First Information Report
(criminal complaint) was filed accusing certain members of the community of erasing a sign which bore the new name. Though the complaint didn't mention any names, a case was registered, resulting in the arrest of Masroor Ahmad and a few other senior members of the Ahmadiyya Community. They were imprisoned for 11 days without bail, but were released without charge on 10 May 1999.
[3]
Caliphate
Masroor Ahmad was elected as the fifth caliph on 22 April 2003, a few days after the demise of his predecessor
Mirza Tahir Ahmad
.
Today he frequently tours around the world, visiting countries for the community's
Jalsa Salanas
(annual gatherings). Masroor Ahmad also regularly leads prayers at the Al-Fazl Mosque in London, England as well as
Friday prayers
from
Baitul Futuh Mosque
, in
Morden
, London.
[3]
Under his leadership the community's global satellite TV network
MTA International
, launched by his predecessor, has expanded into several further affiliated TV channels, social media and radio stations to provide transmission in different languages. Further campuses of
Jamia Ahmadiyya
, the Ahmadiyya Islamic seminary and educational institution, have been established including one in Ghana and one in the United Kingdom, the latter has been the first in Europe. He has focused particularly on directing the community in systematically countering negative media coverage of Islam
[5]
[6]
[7]
and engaging in grassroots efforts to propagate what the community believes is the true message of Islam.
[1]
[8]
In 2004, he launched ? and regularly addresses ? the annual National Peace Symposium (held twice in 2015) in which guests from all walks of life come together at the
largest mosque in Western Europe (the Baitul Futuh Mosque)
to exchange ideas on establishing world peace.
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
These symposia have attracted parliamentarians, religious leaders and other dignitaries. In 2009, he initiated the
Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize
; an international peace award for individuals or organisations that have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment and service to the cause of peace and humanitarianism.
[13]
[14]
Masroor Ahmad has frequently met heads of state in different parts of the world as well as having delivered keynote addresses to the
United States Congress
on
Capitol Hill
, the
European Parliament
, the
United Kingdom Houses of Parliament
, the
Parliament of Canada
and the
Dutch Parliament
on the teachings of Islam regarding the establishment of peace, presenting
Quranic
solutions to world problems. He has consistently called for honesty and the observance of unconditional justice and fairness in international relations.
[15]
[16]
[17]
Khilafat Centenary
On 27 May 2008, members of the community celebrated the 100 year anniversary of the establishment of Khilafat.
[18]
Masroor Ahmad spoke at a large gathering of community members in the
Excel Center
in
London
, England and took a pledge from Ahmadis worldwide.
[19]
This was relayed around the world via the community's television channel,
Muslim Television Ahmadiyya International
with a live link up to
Qadian
, India, the birthplace of
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
and original global headquarters before the
partition of India
in 1947.
[20]
[21]
[22]
A
Jalsa Salana
celebrating the centenary anniversary of the Caliphate was planned in Qadian for December 2008. This gathering was to mark the end of celebrations of the centenary. However, due to the
Mumbai terrorist attacks
in late November, and the resulting security situation, Masroor Ahmad cancelled his participation in the gathering at Qadian and returned to London.
[23]
Response to controversies
Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy
In 2005, a Danish newspaper,
Jyllands-Posten
published some caricatures of the Islamic prophet
Muhammad
that infuriated Muslims around the world. Ahmad condemned the publishers of the cartoons saying that this was an abuse of free speech. But at the same time, he condemned the violent reaction showed by some Muslims around the world saying that this goes against the fabric of peaceful teachings of Islam. He guided his community to disseminate the character of Muhammad in Denmark as well as the rest of the world through writings and dialogue. He also advised Ahmadis to send
durood
on
Muhammad
in this time of adversity.
[24]
His sermons on this issue were later published as a book,
The Blessed Model of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and the Caricatures
.
Pope Benedict XVI Islam controversy
On 12 September 2006, while
Pope Benedict XVI
was lecturing at the
University of Regensburg
, he
[
who?
]
quoted the opinion of
Byzantine Emperor
Manuel II Palaiologos
, "Show me just what
Muhammad
brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached".
[25]
The quotation drew criticism from a number of individual governmental representatives and
Muslim religious leaders
including Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V.
As the leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Masroor Ahmad disapproved of the
Pope's
view on Islam, stating that the Pope had been irresponsible and lacked knowledge of Islam. He explicated the 'inherent peaceful teachings of Islam' and the
Qur'an
and sought to remove misconceptions regarding
Jihad
and Muhammad, in light of references made by European writers in his Friday Sermon on 15 September 2006.
[26]
2010 Quran-burning controversy
The
plan to burn
the Qur'an by the
Dove World Outreach Center
on the 9th anniversary of 9/11 attacks was highly condemned by Masroor Ahmad at the
Baitul Futuh
mosque in
London
, England. He stated that "religious extremism, be it Christian extremism, Muslim extremism or any other kind, is never a true reflection of the religion".
[27]
[28]
2010 Ground Zero mosque controversy
In 2010, plans were being made to build a 13-story Muslim community center located two blocks from the World Trade Center site in
Lower Manhattan
,
New York City
. Although the
Park51
building would not be visible from the World Trade Center site,
[29]
opponents of the project have said that establishing a mosque so close to
Ground Zero
would be offensive since the hijackers in the
11 September 2001 attacks
were
Islamic terrorists
.
Masroor Ahmad commented on the plan to build a mosque near Ground Zero where he stated:
If a mosque is built at the proposed site, then the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community would like to see churches, synagogues, Hindu places of worship and places of worship of all other religions also built near Ground Zero. That would be a good example of how from an act of evil and terror has emerged unity and peace.
[30]
[31]
?
Mirza Masroor Ahmad
Geert Wilders controversy
Geert Wilders
is a Dutch politician. Wilders is best known for his
criticism of Islam
, summing up his views by saying, "I don't hate Muslims, I hate Islam".
[32]
Masroor Ahmad has, in his sermons, repeatedly refuted the allegations raised by Wilders against Islam. Addressing Wilders directly, he said:
Listen carefully ? You, your party and every other person like you will ultimately be destroyed. But the religion of Islam and the message of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) will remain forever. No worldly power, no matter how powerful and no matter how much hatred they bear towards Islam, will ever succeed in erasing our religion.
[33]
?
Mirza Masroor Ahmad
In reply to the statement, Wilders asked
Piet Hein Donner
,
Interior Minister
of the Netherlands whether the government considered this a threat and whether they would take any action against Ahmad. Donner replied that he saw no threat as Ahmad threatened the destruction of Wilders through peaceful prayer only and not violence, and that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community worldwide are known to be peaceful.
[34]
Condemnation of Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia's anti-church edict
On 8 April 2012, Mirza Masroor Ahmad condemned the
fatwa
(edict) of
Abdul Aziz al-Shaikh
,
Grand Mufti
of Saudi Arabia calling for the destruction of all churches in Saudi Arabia and surrounding Arab states.
I was shocked and very saddened to learn that Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti has called for all Churches in the region to be destroyed. What he has said is completely against the teachings of Islam and must be condemned absolutely.
We find that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) spent his entire life preaching peace, tolerance and justice. Thus there can be no other conclusion than to say that what the Grand Mufti has said is completely wrong and displays a complete lack of understanding of Islam on his part.
[35]
?
Mirza Masroor Ahmad
Innocence of Muslims
In his Friday Sermons of 21 and 28 September 2012, the Caliph strongly condemned the anti-Islamic film
Innocence of Muslims
. He said that Muslim emotions against the film were justified to an extent; however he also condemned the reaction to the film by some Muslims with
riots
resulting in at least 75 deaths worldwide. The Friday Sermons were attended by many media outlets including the
BBC
and a news station from New Zealand. He said Muslims should react by invoking
durood
(praise) upon Muhammad. He also indicated that the creators and benefactors of the film would all suffer a great torment by God.
[36]
[37]
Charlie Hebdo attack
On 7 January 2015, gunmen forced their way into the offices of the satirical French newspaper
Charlie Hebdo
in Paris. They shot and killed 12 people during the attack. The attack was linked to cartoons mocking Muhammad that Charlie Hebdo had published in recent years. The Caliph categorically condemned the terrorist attacks. He said that the attacks had nothing to do with the true teachings of Islam and that the perpetrators and anyone found to be involved should be punished in accordance with the law.
[38]
He further added that such cartoons grieved and pained peace-loving Muslims throughout the world and were to be condemned, but any form of violent or illegal response could never be justified and was completely against the teachings of Islam. The caliph also stated that taking to the streets in protest was not an appropriate response but rather Muslims should respond by increasing in prayer and offering salutations to Muhammad.
[39]
Response to persecution
Lahore massacre
On 28 May 2010, two Ahmadi mosques in
Lahore
, Pakistan, came under attack from the
Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan
Punjab wing. The attacks were carried out nearly simultaneously at Darul Al Zikr Mosque in Garhi Shahu and Bait Al Noor Mosque in
Model Town
. Ninety-four people were killed
[40]
in the incident (including one attacker) with 108 injured.
[41]
Another attacker was captured by the worshippers.
The Caliph issued two press releases urging members of the community to exercise patience and prayers and that in response, "no inappropriate action would be shown by any Ahmadi".
[42]
Lectures, sermons and articles
- True Love for the Holy Prophet
- The Blessed Model of the Holy Prophet Muhammad and the Caricatures
- World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace
- Conditions of Bai'at and Responsibilities of an Ahmadi
- A Response to the Pope's Remarks about Islam
[26]
- Islam ? A Peaceful Religion
[43]
- Exemplary Compassion of Prophet Muhammad
[44]
- Speeches and Articles in the
Review of Religions
[45]
- Social Media
[46]
- The Great Western Revival
References
- ^
a
b
Moon, Farzana (2015).
No Islam but Islam
. Cambridge Scholars. p. 163.
ISBN
9781443874045
.
Archived
from the original on 11 July 2021
. Retrieved
20 September
2015
.
- ^
Gualtieri, Antonio; Gualtieri, Roberto (2004).
Ahmadis: Community, Gender, and Politics in a Muslim Society
. Montreal: McGill-Queen's University Press. p. 157.
- ^
a
b
c
d
e
"Life Sketch and Services of His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad Khalifatul Masih V"
.
Archived
from the original on 12 July 2021
. Retrieved
12 March
2011
.
- ^
"Supreme Head of Ahmadiyya Movement calls on President Kufuor"
.
Modern Ghana
. 15 March 2004.
Archived
from the original on 5 January 2015
. Retrieved
21 January
2011
.
- ^
"Majlis Ansar Sultanul Qalam"
.
Archived
from the original on 19 September 2015
. Retrieved
16 September
2015
.
- ^
"Muslim Writers Guild"
. 21 April 2012.
Archived
from the original on 19 November 2015
. Retrieved
16 September
2015
.
- ^
"The Rabwah Times"
. 26 April 2012.
Archived
from the original on 25 February 2016
. Retrieved
16 September
2015
.
- ^
"Clamoring for the Khalifa"
.
The Wall Street Journal
. 12 May 2013.
Archived
from the original on 20 August 2022
. Retrieved
3 September
2014
.
- ^
"Ahmadiyya Peace Symposium website"
.
Archived
from the original on 2 August 2015
. Retrieved
20 September
2015
.
- ^
"Ahmadiyya Peace Conferences"
.
Archived
from the original on 22 June 2015
. Retrieved
20 September
2015
.
- ^
"International development secretary Justine Greening to speak at Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's National Peace Symposium, Your Local Guardian"
. 28 October 2014.
Archived
from the original on 4 October 2015
. Retrieved
20 September
2015
.
- ^
"Over 1,000 people gather at National Peace Symposium, Get West London"
. 19 March 2015.
Archived
from the original on 7 August 2015
. Retrieved
20 September
2015
.
- ^
"The Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Peace"
.
Archived
from the original on 19 June 2015
. Retrieved
16 September
2015
.
- ^
"About His Holiness"
.
Archived
from the original on 29 September 2015
. Retrieved
16 September
2015
.
- ^
"Justice Is Needed in Society To Achieve World Peace"
. World Religion News. 26 October 2015.
Archived
from the original on 17 August 2016
. Retrieved
21 April
2016
.
- ^
"The Blame Game: Is Religion Truly the Cause of Disorder in the World Today?"
.
The Review of Religions
(CAL). December 2015.
Archived
from the original on 17 April 2016
. Retrieved
21 April
2016
.
- ^
"Peace Initiatives"
.
Archived
from the original on 29 September 2015
. Retrieved
3 October
2015
.
- ^
Taylor, Jerome (27 May 2008).
"Minority Report: Ahmadis celebrate 100 years but who are they and what do they believe?"
.
The Independent
. Archived from
the original
on 24 April 2009
. Retrieved
29 May
2008
.
- ^
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (27 May 2008).
"Khilafat Centenary Message"
(PDF)
. Archived from
the original
on 10 October 2012
. Retrieved
20 November
2012
.
- ^
"Return of the Caliphate"
.
The Times
. London. 27 May 2008. Archived from
the original
on 19 September 2008
. Retrieved
29 May
2008
.
- ^
Times Online
, UK ? 26 May 2008
Archived
5 October 2011 at the
Wayback Machine
[
full citation needed
]
- ^
Waqar Ahmad Ahmedi (28 May 2008).
"Nothing to fear from the return of the Caliphate"
.
Business Live
. Reach.
Archived
from the original on 23 June 2021
. Retrieved
2 January
2021
.
- ^
A True Believer Always Surrenders to the Will of Allah
www.alislam.org
Archived
7 December 2008 at the
Wayback Machine
, Friday Sermon, 5 December 2008
- ^
Ahmad, Mirza Masroor (2012).
[1]
Archived
5 March 2016 at the
Wayback Machine
. Islam International Publications. Amazon Books. Retrieved on 15 November 2014.
- ^
"Pope sorry for offending Muslims"
. BBC News. 17 September 2006.
Archived
from the original on 20 August 2011
. Retrieved
13 March
2011
.
- ^
a
b
"A Response to the Pope's Remarks about Islam"
. 16 September 2006.
Archived
from the original on 20 June 2019
. Retrieved
20 June
2019
.
- ^
"Koran-burning plan condemned at London mosque"
. BBC News. 10 September 2010.
Archived
from the original on 11 September 2010
. Retrieved
11 September
2010
.
- ^
"UK Muslims Shocked By Plan To Burn Holy Quran in USA"
. Archived from
the original
on 17 July 2011
. Retrieved
7 September
2010
.
- ^
Joe Jackson and Bill Hutchinson (6 May 2010).
"Plan for Mosque Near World Trade Center Site Moves Ahead"
.
Daily News
. New York.
Archived
from the original on 10 May 2010
. Retrieved
1 August
2010
.
- ^
"Good News ? The 'Move the Mosque' Movement Is Growing"
.
Fox News
. 23 August 2010.
Archived
from the original on 14 September 2010
. Retrieved
12 September
2010
.
- ^
"The Holy Qur'an:the Truth Revealed Part 2"
.
YouTube
. Retrieved
12 September
2010
.
[
dead YouTube link
]
- ^
Traynor, Ian (17 February 2008). "'I don't hate Muslims. I hate Islam,' says Holland's rising political star". The Guardian (London). Retrieved 15 March 2009.
- ^
"World muslim leader sends warning to dutch politician Geert Wilders ≪ Islam Ahmadiyya"
. 19 October 2011.
Archived
from the original on 8 March 2012
. Retrieved
9 March
2012
.
- ^
Islam Ahmadiyyat ? The Truth Prevails
alislam.org
Archived
4 March 2016 at the
Wayback Machine
- ^
"Khalifa of Islam condemns Saudi Arabia's Grand Mufti for calling for Churches to be destroyed"
. 28 October 2011.
Archived
from the original on 20 June 2012
. Retrieved
15 April
2012
.
- ^
"Friday Sermon: True Love for The Holy Prophet (saw)"
. Alislam.org. 21 September 2012. Archived from
the original
on 2 October 2012
. Retrieved
20 November
2012
.
- ^
"Friday Sermon: Promote the true character of The Prophet (saw)"
. Alislam.org. 28 September 2012.
Archived
from the original on 22 November 2012
. Retrieved
20 November
2012
.
- ^
"Khalifa condemns France terror attacks"
.
pressahmadiyya.com
. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community International Press & Media Office. Archived from
the original
on 19 January 2015
. Retrieved
19 January
2015
.
- ^
"Charlie Hebdo Cartoons: Khalifa Responds"
.
pressahmadiyya.com
. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community International Press & Media Office. Archived from
the original
on 19 January 2015
. Retrieved
19 January
2015
.
- ^
"Pakistan Ahmadis bury Lahore mosque attacks victims"
. BBC News. 29 May 2010.
Archived
from the original on 8 February 2011
. Retrieved
12 March
2011
.
- ^
"Terrorists attack Ahmadi Mosques in Lahore, Pakistan leaving 94 Dead"
. 11 June 2010.
Archived
from the original on 5 January 2015
. Retrieved
12 March
2011
.
- ^
Statement from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V
on
YouTube
- ^
Islam peaceful religion
alislam.org
Archived
29 February 2020 at the
Wayback Machine
- ^
Exemplary Compassion of The Holy Prophet (SAW)
alislam.org
Archived
27 March 2009 at the
Wayback Machine
- ^
"Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad ? Khalifatul Masih V(aba)"
.
Archived
from the original on 20 June 2019
. Retrieved
20 June
2019
.
- ^
Ahmad, Mirza Masroor (June 2019).
Social Media
.
Lajna Imaillah
UK.
ISBN
9781848809345
.
External links
|
---|
Beliefs and practices
| |
---|
Distinct views
| |
---|
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
| |
---|
Literature
| |
---|
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
| |
---|
Miscellaneous
| |
---|
|