The Ahmadiyya Muslim community has planned a series of projects and programmes to mark its Silver Jubilee year, celebrations for which began a ‘Thanksgiving’ event in Auckland on May 26, 2012.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at New Zealand Inc National President Mohammed Iqbal said the 12-month long programme would include ‘Feed the Poor Day,’ pamphlets promoting peace and launch of Holy Quran in Te Reo Maori.
“The year-long programme provides a great source of inspiration and motivation to come together with humility to celebrate the achievements of our community. This milestone reflects on the past and prepares for the future. It is time to recognise and celebrate collectively a set of activities that marks our 25 years of existence in New Zealand with complete freedom and safety,” he said.
According to Shafiq ur Rehman, a Missionary, spiritual programmes would be a part of the Silver Jubilee.
These programmes would express our gratitude to Allah’s divine favours on our members for the growth and living proof of Ahmadiyyas in New Zealand. These would also fulfil the grand prophecy of The Promised Messiah Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian, ‘I shall cause thy message to reach the corners of the earth’ he said.
“Through Allah’s blessing, our community today consists of a wide range of ethnicity; from New Zealanders, Maoris, to migrants from all parts of Indian Sub-continent” Mr Iqbal said.
Widespread welfare
The community has actively contributed to New Zealanders in time of need by contributing generously to the families of the victims of the Pike River mines disaster, by sending working parties to help clean up the liquefaction in the streets of Christchurch following the earthquake and giving financial support towards Christchurch earthquake appeal, by working with the NZ Immigration services at the refugee centre to assist with migrant resettlement programme, organising charity walk to raise funds for the Royal NZ Foundation of the Blind, arranging blood donation to the NZ blood bank and assisting in other relief efforts across the Pacific, he said.
Worldwide Movement
According to Wikipedia, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was established in 1889 and is today spread over 193 countries with membership of tens of millions of people. Its current international headquarters is in London.
This Islamic organisation believes that the long-awaited Messiah was Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian. He was stated to the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the Divine Guide, whose advent was foretold by Mohammed the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
Ahmadiyyas believe that “God sent Ahmad like Jesus to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace.”
The followers say that his advent ushered in an unprecedented era of Islamic revival.
“He divested Islam of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings. He also recognised the noble teachings of the great religious founders and saints, including Zoroaster, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Krishna, Buddha, Confucius, Lao Tzu and Guru Nanak, and explained how such teachings converged into the one true Islam.”
The Organisation also believes that “Jihad by the sword” has no place in Islam.
Photo :Mohammed Iqbal speaking at the ‘Thanksgiving’ event (held in Manukau, Auckland on May 27) with Maulana Shafiqur Rehman and Muhammad Yaseen on the dais.
