“One day we will win the hearts of people” – Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad interviewed by Canadian media at Jalsa Salana Canada
On 7 October 2016, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad held a Press Conference with representatives of the Canadian print, broadcast and ethnic media. Media outlets present included CTV and the Toronto Star.
The Press Conference took place at the International Centre in Mississauga on the first day of the 40th Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Canada.
During the 35minute Press Conference, His Holiness was asked his views on establishing peace in the world, the continued threat of terrorism and extremism and the purpose of his visit to Canada.
Speaking about his current tour of Canada, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“This year the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Canada is celebrating its 50th anniversary and so the local Ahmadiyya Muslim Community requested me to come and address their Annual Convention.”
Upon being asked how the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is spreading peace in the world, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Islam prohibits all forms of extremism and terrorism and so suicide bombings, beheadings, the killing of innocent people are all opposed to Islam’s teachings. This is the message we are propagating and spreading far and wide.”
In response to a question about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s slogan of ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“The importance and significant of this message is obvious in today’s world given that violence and disorder has spread to so many parts of the world. Hence, the message of ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’ is not only something for Muslims to follow but for all people. In today’s society we need to show kindness, compassion and must discharge the rights of one another.”
During the Press Conference, His Holiness condemned the role of extremist Muslim clerics in the spread of extremism and the radicalisation of some Muslims. His Holiness said that such clerics had completely
“misconstrued the true teachings of Islam”
and he advised authorities to take firm measures against any cleric found to promote extremism.
Asked about his views on Canadian values, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“I am pleased that Canada is a multicultural society in which freedom of religion and freedom of expression exists. I enjoy visiting Canada whenever I have the opportunity to travel here.”
Regarding the efforts of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to curb extremism, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“We have no worldly power and so all we can do is to continue to peacefully preach Islam’s true teachings. It is a slow process but one day we shall win the hearts of people and the brutalities witnessed in the world today will stop. We are very determined and so we will never give up our tasks.”