Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivers puts spotlight on the distinction between ISIS and Islam at an Ahmadiyya Muslim Community event.
It was a great honor to have the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Stephen Harper giving his speech at the inauguration session of 39th Annual Convention of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Canada held on August 28-30, 2015. This largest national Islamic convention of Canada was watched throughout the world through live streaming by Muslim Television Ahmadiyya.
As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community I was immensely relieved to hear Mr. Harper recognizing and highlighting ISIS as distinct from Islam. Referring to the ISIS inspired homegrown act of terrorism in Canada last year, he said:
“As we all know, these shocking acts were perpetrated by killers claiming to act in the name of Islam. How important it was that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Canada quickly, categorically and unequivocally condemned the attacks and the terrorist who committed them.”
Mr. Harper is the first sitting Prime Minister to personally attend an annual convention of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Canada. It’s welcoming to hear him say:
“By your words and by your actions, Canada’s Ahmadiyya community has earned the respect and the admiration of all Canadians.”
He appreciated the community’s love for tolerance and harmony and also for their motto “Love for all, hatred for none” which they live by.
First time Canadian PM Stephen Harper attented 39 #JalsaCanada 2015 of #Ahmadiyya #Muslim #Community Feeling Great! pic.twitter.com/5fOUzZK9mW
— WAQAS AHMAD WARRAICH (@788WAQAS) August 30, 2015
This was not the first time when Mr. Harper was present at an event organized by Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Canada. He was also present at the annual fundraising dinner of the charitable organization of the community – Humanity First, Canada.
Watch Canadian PM on Islam Faith’s Message of Peace Not Terror[/tweetthis]
When the government of Canada established the “Office of Religious Freedom” in 2013, the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Vaughan, Maple were the proud host for the official launch of this international office.
The year 2008 was of special historical significance to have the first sitting Prime Minister of Canada to be a part of the inauguration of a mosque (Baitun Nur Mosque of Calgary) with the Khalifa of Islam His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, an occasion which Mr. Harper himself described as “One of the most memorable instances.”
His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad has been inviting world leaders to come forward and play their due role towards the dire need and goal of world peace. A compilation of the addresses by His Holiness to world dignitaries and parliamentarians and letters written by him to world leaders, is available under the title “World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace.”
His Holiness is the fifth successor of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, India who was the Imam of the age, Promised Messiah and Mahdi, as prophesied by Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and awaited by all religions under different titles. Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community around the globe gather for their annual conventions in more than 28 countries. These gatherings provide the academic and practical manifestation to the world about true peaceful teachings of Islam. The world needs this true message of peace.