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On 9 March 2019, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered the keynote address at the 16th National Peace Symposium hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK. His Holiness highlighted that nuclear war was no longer a remote or distant prospect, but rather a growing threat that could no longer be discounted or ignored.  He mentioned a number of pressing catalysts including tensions between nuclear powers, conflicts and proxy wars in the Middle East, far-right nationalism, anti-immigration sentiments, economic frustrations and isolationism that continue to push nations towards nuclear war and global destruction.  Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad warned of the catastrophic nuclear destruction that could ensue if nations did not show tolerance or strive to break down the causes of division between them.  Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:  “If there is a nuclear war, we will not only be destroying the world today but we will also be leaving behind a lasting trail of destruction and misery for our future generations. Hence, we must pause and reflect on the consequences of our actions. We should not consider any issue or conflict, whether within a country or at an international level, to be insignificant.”  Commenting on escalating tensions between nations, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated:  “During the past year, the United States claimed with a degree of confidence that it was close to securing an historic peace deal with North Korea but in recent days it has become clear that nothing of substance has been achieved.”  Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:  “In recent days, the world witnessed a sudden escalation in tension between India and Pakistan. Both countries are nuclear powers and both have built alliances with other nations, whether openly or in secret, which mean that the potential consequences of a war would be extensive and far-reaching.”  His Holiness stated that nations are using conflicts in the Middle East as a tool to create dominance by building alliances and igniting further conflict.  Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated:  “On one side, Russia and Turkey are aligning, whilst on the other side, the United States and Saudi Arabia are joining together and are ratcheting up pressure on Iran and seeking further sanctions against them. Political experts are openly expressing that the objective of these nations is to dominate the Middle East.”  Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further stated:  “Time and again, we have seen examples of countries that have intervened in war-torn nations or given aid to deprived countries on the pretext of bringing peace but have attached strings that enable them to take control of the weaker country’s resources. Rather than being content with their own wealth, powerful countries seek to assert their control over weaker nations.”  His Holiness cited Syria as an example of a war that had caused endless misery and remained in a precarious state.  Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated:  “Over almost a decade, Syria has been ravaged by bloodshed and torn asunder. It is said that the civil war is now edging towards an end but what has the past decade achieved except the death of hundreds of thousands of innocent people and the displacement of millions of others? Nothing positive has emerged and the future remains uncertain and precarious, as tensions rise between nations who have their own vested interests tied into the future of Syria.”  He mentioned that although these nations attempted to defeat extremist groups like Daesh in the Middle East, they have in reality, only allowed their hateful teachings to spread further.  Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated:  “It is said that the terrorist group Daesh is on the verge of collapse and that their so-called Khilafat is finished. Yet experts also warn that though Daesh has lost its territory, its hateful ideology persists and its members who have survived are now scattering and could eventually regroup and perpetrate attacks in Europe or elsewhere.”  Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad also emphasized that nationalism continues to rear its ugly head and that far-right parties are gaining popularity globally. He explained that a core reason underpinning far-right popularity has been widespread immigration.  His Holiness further explained that feelings of resentment stem from the belief that existing indigenous citizens are being short-changed in order to fund and support immigrants. He provided both a long term and a short term solution to resolve this pressing issue.  Explaining the long term solution, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated:  “The long-term solution to the immigration crisis has to be to establish peace in war-torn countries and to help the local people, who have been forced to endure lives of misery and danger, to live peacefully.”  Discussing the short term solution, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated:  “In the short term, where refugees or asylum seekers come to the West due to the prevailing political or religious conditions in their own countries, they should be treated with dignity and respect. At the same time, whatever support they are given should not be at the expense of existing citizens. Immigrants should be strongly encouraged to enter employment as soon as possible, rather than living off benefits for long periods. They should work hard, seek to stand upon their own two feet and contribute positively to their new society. Otherwise, if they are continually funded by tax-payers money it will inevitably lead to grievances.”  Furthermore, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated his belief to be, that the underlying cause of most resentment in society tends to be economic and  financial frustration and that this inevitably leads to the spread of Islamophobia and xenophobia.  Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated:  “Certain groups take advantage of such anxiety by laying the blame at the feet of immigrants or at the followers of religion and incite sentiments of hatred towards them. Thus, an impression has developed in Europe that Asians, Africans and particularly Muslim immigrants are a threat to society. In the United States, there are similar fears regarding Muslims and also Hispanics seeking to enter the country through Mexico.”  His Holiness explained

In an effort to minimize the spate of corruption and sanitize the entire system in the Country, the Federal Government has been urged to embark on the total overhauling and reformation of the judicial sector. This was the highlight of the communiqué issued at the end of a one-day interfaith and media engagement forum on anti-corruption campaign in Nigeria organized by Interfaith Anti-Corruption Network in collaboration with Strength in Diversity Development Centre (SDDC) Nigeria. The programme, with the theme; “Harnessing Interfaith and Media Potentials in the fight against Corruption in Nigeria” came up at the Lagos State Chamber of Commerce (LCCI) Conference and Exhibition Centre Alausa, Lagos. Stakeholders affirmed that corruption was a cankerworm and a monumental endemic that had eaten deep into every fabric of the Nigerian society, hence the urgent need for the government to reform and strengthen the judicial system towards handling corrupt cases.  The sector is expected to ensure that all perpetrators are made to face the full wrath of the laws irrespective of religious affiliations, political parties, language differences, creed, ethnic or cultural background. The forum also called on the government to ensure that convicted persons are not allowed to hold any public office in the country to serve as deterrents to others who may be nursing corrupt ambition. The federal government was also admonished to establish Ministry of Religious Affairs where religious leaders will always meet to discuss common challenges of the society including corruption and find means of sensitizing their numerous followers on the evil effects of corruption. The stakeholders further advised the government to include in the curriculum of the schools from primary to tertiary, civic education that will enlighten more on the qualities and duties of a public office holder. Heart of the Problem: One of the discussants, Ambassador Segun Adeoye stated that corruption is not only attached to politicians but everyone within the society.  That the endemic cuts across all institutions – churches, mosques, homes and among artisans. He said: “Corruption is not only in Nigeria but all over the world.  It has to do with our nature as human beings.  We are very selfish intrinsically.  “The heart of the problem is the heart of man.” Need for Improvement on Journalists’ Welfare: The President, National Association of Women Journalist (NAWOJ) Lagos State Chapter, Mrs. Sekinah Lawal has clamored for a drastic improvement to the general welfare of journalists if we indeed expect an accurate and objective report from them.  She said media practitioners easily fell to the financial inducements from well to do Nigerians due to poor incentives, thereby hampering the objectivity of reports. “The real problem of media practitioners is very simple.  You put them as watchdogs of the society but the dogs are very hungry, so what do you expect? Journalists who also have family members to take care of are being owed several months.  How do you expect him to be just in his findings?  There are so many things journalists can do to keep a check on the activities of the government but there is need to improve their take-home pay so that they will perform the role of watchdog effectively and diligently,” she opined. Mrs. Lawal also believed there will be the law of karma on those who diverted public funds for personal use.  That whatever is amassed legitimately or illegally will be accounted for, on the day of judgment. Welfarism of Religious leaders also paramount: There was also a call for better welfare for all religious leaders in a bid to achieve success in the anti-corruption crusade.  Religious leaders are expected to live above board in the society but they tend to be corrupt due to a poor standard of living.  The stakeholders further admonished religious leaders to work on their spiritual upliftment and capacity building.  They were also urged to be upright and righteous. Hate Speech is Evil: The second part of the conference centered on the development and signing of character on anti-hate speech and incitement to violence along religious and ethnic divides.  Hate speech was described as a satanic, unproductive and counter-productive statement which could destroy patriotism and lead to civil war. As a way of eliminating hate speech in society, the stakeholders proposed that the National Assembly must quickly pass a bill against it.  They also requested the enforcement agencies to make scapegoats out of many offenders to serve as deterrents.  Also, it was suggested that the National Orientation Agency (NOA) should be strengthened to sensitize the general public on the dangers of hate speech while the primary and secondary school curriculum must be expanded to include instructions on hate speech. While speaking at the forum, one of the invited guests Imam Sulaiman Adangba stated that there was a need to understand the deep meaning of a person and personality.  That the combination of a habit and character leads to an attitude which makes a person.  He said this was very essential when guiding against hate speech. He said it was disheartening to realize that religious leaders and media practitioners are no longer recognized in the country because they have lost their positions due to their quest for materialism. The co-convener of the programme, Imam Abdul Kareem Majemu stated that the conference which was the second edition was a three-year project.  He reiterated that the programme aims at finding means on how religious leaders and media professionals can work hand in hand to support the anti-corruption campaign and hate speech in Nigeria. All participants later adopted and signed the charter on Anti-Hate speech and incitement to violence along religious and ethnic divides.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria will hold its 4th Eastern Regional Economic Summit tagged “Jalsa Tarbiya” for moral training, in Warri, Delta State on Friday 12th to Sunday 14th April 2019 The theme of the conference: Recognition of God: A true means of salvation, under the leadership of the Amir Sahib (National President), Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola. The 3-day economic event at MOM Civic Center along Airport Road in Warri, Delta State shall include two segments. The first segment will be devoted to lectures on moral regeneration in the current decadent society, and peaceful co-existence among different faiths, while the second segment, the Economic Summit will take place Saturday, April 13, 2019, and would be tailored towards entrepreneurial job creation, featuring presentations by a panel of successful business professionals on the various opportunities available in Nigeria that could generate employment for the youth. Ahmadiyya Jama’at is a 130-year-old religious organization, known worldwide for preaching and promoting peaceful coexistence, tolerance, education and the provision of social services including the establishment of hospitals for the enhancement of human life. According to Naib Amir (Deputy National President) Eastern Region, Dr. Abdul-Gani Enahoro, said the resource persons were selected based on their moral orientation and accomplished in business. Dignitaries across religion, traditional rulers and Jama’at leaders from the headquarters as well as across Nigeria are expected to grace the occasion.