The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered the keynote address at a special reception held to mark the opening of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s new headquarters in Islamabad, Tilford, UK.
In his keynote address to a gathering of over 300 guests, including Members of Parliament, Members of the House of Lords, Members of the Armed Forces, various other dignitaries and local residents and neighbours, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad began by expressing his gratitude and appreciation to the guests in attendance and to the neighbours of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s new headquarters in Islamabad.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:“I wish to offer my heartfelt appreciation and gratitude to our neighbours and to all the local residents in this area, as well as to the local Council members who have shown immense generosity and proved that they are tolerant and open-minded by enabling us to redevelop this complex.”
His Holiness spoke about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s historical ties to the site and explained that the 25-acre site (now 33-acres) was purchased in 1985. The site had previously been used as a boarding school, which had closed
in 1977 and remained unused until the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community purchased and renamed the property as Islamabad
“Chapter 4, verse 37 of the Holy Quran imposes a code of moral values which true Muslims must adopt and live their lives by and it guides them about how to interact with other members of society. Where on the one hand, the verse states that Muslims must worship Allah the Almighty alone and not associate any partners with Him, it also commands them to show compassion and love to all mankind.”
“The verse then categorically states that Muslims must fulfil the rights of their neighbours, including those with whom they have personal relations and those with whom they do not. Fulfilling the rights of neighbours means that Muslims must treat their neighbours with grace and compassion and be ever ready to help them in their times of need and times of grief. It means to respect them and to hold them in the highest regard.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further elaborated upon who is meant by a ‘neighbour’ according to Islamic teachings.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“According to Islam, the definition of a neighbour is extremely far-reaching. The Founder of Islam, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) stated that a person’s neighbours are not just those who live in the immediate vicinity but include at least the nearest 40 houses. In light of this, we consider all of the people living in this area and even those who may travel on the roads near this site as our neighbours.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad informed the audience that he had instructed Ahmadi Muslims to treat all local residents and neighbours of Islamabad with the utmost courtesy and respect at all times.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“It is incumbent upon all Ahmadi Muslims, whether they live here at Islamabad, whether they live locally or even if they just travel here to attend the prayers, to follow the laws, to be considerate at all times and to fulfil the rights of our wide circle of neighbours and to try to ensure that no distress or disturbance is ever caused to them.”
Leading by example, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad himself made a beautiful promise to the local residents and neighbours of the Islamabad site.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“I personally pledge that I will uphold and honour your rights and strive to care for all of you and I will continually urge the members of our Community to do the same.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Allah the Almighty has commanded Muslims that it is not enough for them to merely worship in the Mosque but they must serve their local communities and constantly strive to help those who are in need. In fact, Allah the Almighty states that the prayers of those who fail in their duties to mankind are worthless and will never be accepted by Him.”
His Holiness spoke about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s Mosques the world over and explained that wherever the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community builds mosques, serving humanity and the local community becomes an integral part of the Mosque and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s presence.
