A delegation led by Shakeel Ahmed, President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (Tooting Chapter), joined 900 people at the 15th National Peace Symposium on 17th March at the Baitul Futh Mosque in London – the largest mosque in Western Europe.

His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the fifth Caliph of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community delivered the keynote speech at the symposium and covered topics including poverty, climate change, nationalism and the arms trade.

On the trend of nationalism, he said, “As a result of recent terrorist attacks and widespread immigration to the West, there has also been a dangerous rise in nationalism in many Western countries, evoking fears of the dark days of the past. It is particularly disturbing that far-right groups have become increasingly vocal and have seen their membership rise and have even made political gains. They too are extremists, who seek to poison Western society, by inciting the masses against those who have a different colour of skin or who hold different beliefs.

“Instead of shutting down borders and ports in warring countries, causing innocent children to be left starving and the sick being deprived of medical treatment, we must open our hearts to one another, knock-down the walls that divide us, feed the hungry and help those who are suffering.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad also touched upon the issue of climate change: “A major focus of the international community is climate change and a desire to keep the air that we breathe clean. Is there anyone who thinks that heavy bombardment has no effect on the atmosphere? Furthermore, if peace ever does prevail in the war-torn countries, their towns and cities will have to be rebuilt from scratch, and this in itself will be a huge industry that will cause an increase in harmful emissions and pollution. Thus, on the one hand, we are trying to save the planet, yet with our other hand, we are senselessly destroying it. In light of all of this, I firmly believe that world powers are being blinded by short-sightedness and tunnel-vision.”

The recent trend of an arms race was also mentioned: “Quite openly and proudly, the major powers are trading arms that are being used to kill, maim and brutalise innocent people. Regrettably, such nations are focused only on attempts to boost their economy and to maximise their nation’s capital, without pausing for thought at the consequences. They desperately seek to attain the largest possible contracts to sell destructive weapons that, once fired, do not distinguish between the innocent and the guilty. They proudly sell weapons that make no exception for children, women or the infirm. They shamelessly sell weapons that engulf and obliterate towns and cities indiscriminately.”

He also spoke about the legacy left e behind for future generations: “If we are to leave behind a legacy of hope for our children, and bequeath a peaceful world to our future generations, we, irrespective of our religion or beliefs, need to urgently change our priorities. Instead of being consumed by materialism and a desire for power, every nation, whether rich or poor, must prioritise the peace and security of the entire world above all else. Instead of embarking on an arms race, leading to death and destruction, we must join the race to save and protect humanity.”

Other speakers at the event included the human rights activist Dr Aaron Rhodes and the Vice-President of the World Conference of Religions Europe for Peace, Dr Luigi de Salvia.

The symposium also saw the presentation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Peace, awarded to Dr Leonid Roshal, a noted paediatrician from Moscow. The award was presented in recognition of his outstanding medical and humanitarian services across the world. It was received by his representative Angelina Alekseeva who had travelled from Moscow for the symposium.

Shakeel Ahmed said, “We have returned from the event inspired and committed to play our part for peace in the country and the world. Whilst the event rightly recognised the worrisome trend of nationalism and an arms race, sowing the seeds of division, we left with a renewed sense of purpose to spread unity and peace as instructed by our Islamic faith. We must work together to aspire for a world that has more in common than what separates us.

“As members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community we will exert every effort to be exemplary role models within society.”

You can learn more about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK at www.loveforallhatredfornone.org