Written evidence submitted by the
Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association UK
Written evidence submitted by the
Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association UK
Concerns and causes of Extremism 4
No link between Islam and Extremism 7
TACKLING EXTREMISM – OUR POSITION 10
Why are people leaving the UK for Syria and Iraq? 16
Do you think Mosques and Muslims are too quiet and don’t condemn extremism enough 17
What can the Government do? 18
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (the Community) is a peace-loving sect of Islam that was founded in India in 1889 by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be upon him). Ahmadi Muslims believe him to be the long awaited Promised Messiah and the Imam- Mahdi, whose advent was foretold by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The Community has ever since grown in its stature and strength and remained active in conveying the message of Islam to the ends of the earth. From the time it was founded in India in 1889, it has enjoyed an unrivalled record for peace and for its efforts to build cohesive societies.
It has, however, been subject to hostile attacks (including murder and state sanctioned persecution) in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and the Middles East for more than 50 years.
The Community has established itself across 206 countries in the world, with membership approaching 150 million and continually rising. It is an embodiment of the benevolent message of Islam being peace, universal brotherhood and serving humanity irrespective of one’s race, colour, religion or no religion. The Community rejects without exception all kinds of violence and lives by its motto of “Love for All, Hatred for None”.
Islam places emphasis to serve others even at your own expense. In this regard it has to be borne in mind the Community is self funded by its members and does not rely on external funding from sources such as the government. This enables the Community to remain objective, impartial and credible without having any vested interests.
This document outlines the factors; root causes and proposed solutions to the rise in extremism that is affecting our society.
are being attacked and in turn could potentially lead to them being attracted by radicals or extremists.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a non-violent community and will remain so, but we urge the authorities to take note of the issues raised and take whatever action is necessary to prevent the radicalisation, particularly of youngsters and from extremists from preaching hatred and violence and to preserve the social harmony and peace for all its citizens.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association UK (AMYA) is the UK's oldest, largest and leading Muslim youth organisation. The AMYA is a subsidiary organisation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK with a membership approaching 8,000 young British Muslims and is a registered charity. The AMYA UK is committed to the spiritual, moral, social, intellectual and physical development of young Muslims and runs regular programmes of structured activities for the youth with a mix of academic, sporting, social welfare and charitable works which keep its members engaged. One of AMYA’s key objectives is to serve and contribute to society at all levels through active integration and engagement.
The purpose of all these activities is to engender the spirit of discipline and service to the wider community irrespective of people’s beliefs, race, or gender. Its motto ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’ underpins this ethos.
AMYA's central headquarters are at the Fazl Mosque, London’s Oldest Mosque, and Morden Mosque, the UK’s largest Mosque. The AMYA also has one hundred and seventeen branches situated across the UK.
The founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad stated 'My desire, my wish and my objective is serving humanity. It is my job, my faith, my inspiration and my way of working.’ The youth not only draw inspiration and strength from this profound message but also strive to practically live up to this in their every day life.
Firstly, we would like to express our heartfelt sympathies and condolences following the recent terrorist attacks that have taken place in Paris. This brutal and inhumane attack can only be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
Turning to the question of the rise of extremism/terrorism a distinction has to be drawn between Islam and terrorism. There is NO link between Islam and terrorism. The teachings of the Holy Quran are very clear. However, it is correct to say there is a link between terrorism and certain Muslims. It is a very simple but significant distinction and the Government and leaders should acknowledge this. Many query what is Islam and whose version do we accept When we are talking about Islam then it is the Holy Quran we need to refer to as that encompasses what Islam is. The Holy Quran unequivocally forbids all forms of terrorism or extremism.
From the outset we have said that the government needs to consider the risk of extremism or radicalisation very seriously. In January, in his interview with LBC, the Caliph of Islam, His Holiness, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that Mosques should be monitored.
We support the Government where it takes just measures to try and stop spread of terrorism e.g. giving parents powers to apply for child’s passport to be suspended or where the Government is seeking to stop extremists being given a platform in universities, etc.
His Holiness also made the point previously that broadcasters / media should seek to give a platform to non-extremist and moderate Muslim and faith leaders. We hope that broadcasters listen.
A very important and fundamental issue is mutual respect. Government should encourage and ensure that all religions are treated with respect. We should seek to foster an environment where people do not speak against others or their beliefs. It is of course ok to question a belief or to seek dialogue to further understanding but it is wrong to just needlessly criticise or abuse the beliefs of others.
‘The right to offend does not mean it is right to offend'. We have to look at the bigger picture. By way of example is it worth championing the right of someone to draw a cartoon when in reality it can offend a billion people and radicalise a significant number and thus cause damage to the peace and security of the world? Would it not be better to place restrictions on mocking a religion or what is deemed sacred if it could boost the world's peace and security. It would also mean that terrorists groups like IS would have less opportunity for propaganda and to say that the West is against Islam.
The Prime Minister spoke about ‘conspiracy theories’ such as 9/11 being a Jewish conspiracy and that such views must be rejected and if not then it is a sign of growing extremism. However, there are non-Muslims and people without faith who have held similar beliefs and so this is not a question of extremism but rather a question of personal views and opinions. These are not signs of radicalisation. There is a fine line which the Government should respect between genuine warning signs and an infringement on personal beliefs. In this country and in the West they always speak of the importance of freedom of expression and free speech so then it is wrong to brand genuinely held and peaceful beliefs as extremist.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community practices the true Islam based on the Holy Quran and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Thus, our history proves that we are peaceful and loyal citizens of the country.
In countering this issue we would also suggest that there should be a pledge of loyalty in school assemblies in which children repeat a pledge of loyalty to their nation. This is a means of ingraining loyalty across the board from childhood.
The Paris attacks have again raised questions of how to deal with organisations such as IS. We have consistently said that it is essential to cut the arms supply lines of terrorist groups and to end their sources of funding and means of black market trading. Military action alone is not enough.
Also, Muslim governments must take “firm measures” to combat the influence of extremist clerics in their countries.
Matters are also compounded with the mass movement of migration. In this regard it should be noted that genuine refugees are facing great difficulties. They have been forced to leave their countries due to the intolerable conditions and so should be treated with love, compassion and kindness. Rather than looking at their own interests only, nations will have to consider their moral responsibilities to those who are suffering.
It is essential that international organisations such as the UN and Governments treat this as a global issue and not just as a European issue. There needs to be a proper coordinated plan should be made to distribute the refugees globally. Refugees should be sent across the world, rather than only focusing on Europe.
First and foremost, the Arab countries, who are neighbours, should fulfill their roles and so countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, Kuwait and others should give refuge to the refugees as much as possible.
Thereafter, refugees should be sent across the world, based on a coordinated international plan. In addition to the Arab countries they
should be sent to Europe, USA, Canada, Far East, Indonesia and other parts of the world. Taking a global response will be just and fair. No one country or continent should have to bear the entire responsibility or burden.
Proper control measures should be in place to make sure that the refugees are genuine and not posing as refugees (e.g. extremists or terrorists).
Many people in the developed world consider religion to be the primary cause of world disorder, however this is due to a misunderstanding of religion itself. The disorder and injustice we see around the world is not as a result of religion, rather it is being perpetrated by self-interest and greed. It is a result of people misusing the name of God to fulfill their vested interests, and it is also a result of the denial of the very existence of God.
Religion is there to lead and guide humanity, not to follow people’s worldly desires. And so we believe in that book (the Holy Quran) which has been preserved for more than 1400 years and whose teaching is in every way perfect and complete. It is a teaching for the people of every age and every land!
On the one hand we see that certain leaders or commentators say that Islam is not a violent religion, yet on the other hand they are also claiming that there is a link between Islam and extremism. Their remarks are contradictory and an attempt to placate all sides. Thus let me make it clear that no other teaching promotes peace and tolerance
to the extent that Islam has championed.
We are not at all fearful of those who are against Islam. Every person has a right to an opinion or viewpoint, however a person does not have the right to claim he understands what another person believes in better than they do. Furthermore, there are now even non-Muslims who are defending Islam. For example, just last week the journalist Ed West wrote a very good article in the Evening Standard about our Community entitled ‘Our own London caliphate is doing nothing but good’.
In conclusion the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community supports the Government in its genuine efforts to curb extremism and we pray that their efforts are successful so that the evil of extremism and terrorism is finished and so that all people of all faiths and beliefs can live together in peace and harmony. However, the reality is that unless we address these issues properly there is a risk of the war escalating further.
Why are people leaving the UK for Syria and Iraq?
– an entirely false, unjust and miserable Jihad.
dispelled.
The word “Khilafat” or “Caliphate” means “Successor.” The task of any successor is to continue the mission and objective of the person whom he is following. The task of the Ahmadiyya Caliphate is to continue pursuing the peaceful objectives laid down by the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Community, which which is essentially to worship God and serve humanity. And so, under the guidance of the Institution of Caliphate, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has continued this work for more than one hundred years.
Upon learning how devoted and attached Ahmadi Muslims are to Caliphate, it is possible that a question may arise in the minds of some people. It may be that some people wonder, whether due to such devotion, the Caliph could, God forbid, lead Ahmadis towards extremism or the use of force. To answer this, it should be clarified that the first part of the prophecy made by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was that after a long period of spiritual darkness lasting around one-thousand years, the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi would appear with teachings of peace, compassion and love. And so as we believe that the first part of the prophecy has been fulfilled, then we must also, according to our beliefs, accept the truth of the second part of the prophecy, which was that following the Promised Messiah, his Caliphate would be permanent and
would remain until the end of time. And his Caliphate would continuously draw mankind’s attention to fulfilling the rights owed to God and to His Creation. Rather than cause any threat or danger, the Caliphate of the Promised Messiah would only be a source of peace.
About the true system of Caliphate, the Holy Qur’an has clearly said that it will be a means of transforming a state of fear and panic into a state of peace and security, so long as the people continued to remember God’s commands and follow the guidance of the Caliph.
Where on the one hand the Caliphate in Ahmadiyyat is a source of peace and tranquility for all Ahmadi Muslims, it can also be a source of peace and security for non-Ahmadis if they pay heed to what the Caliph says. The history of the Ahmadiyya Community testifies to the fact that the Promised Messiah himself and all of his Successors emphasised the need to avoid wars and towards fulfilling the rights due to one another. The Promised Messiah himself proclaimed that he had come to bring an end to all forms of religious warfare.
A society where religious wars have come to an end and where mankind’s attention is drawn towards serving humanity and fulfilling each other’s rights can only become a haven of peace. Certainly, this is exactly the type of society that the world stands in great need of today. All of the Caliphs who have led the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community have always advocated for peace, unity and a sense of mutual brotherhood. Let us give just a couple of examples.
After the First World War, the Second Caliph of our Community informed the world that without true justice, peace would not develop and the League of Nations would fail.
Then, in 1990 when the situation in Iraq deteriorated, our Fourth Caliph warned that not only would the Arab countries suffer but also ultimately the peace of the entire world would be destroyed. Indeed, the world has since observed that both of these warnings proved entirely accurate and today conflict continues to plague the world.
For the past six or seven years the current Caliph, His Holiness, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad has been warning that the world stands in desperate need of peace. No one should assume that a war between any two countries will remain limited to just them or to a particular region; rather, ultimately it will culminate with a world war. Indeed, the state of the world today is clearly indicating that we are on the brink of an extremely dangerous global war. Such a war will include countries that possess nuclear weapons and whose leaders are trigger happy and do not care about the horrific consequences of their acts. As a result of their carefree attitudes, the world may come to witness a truly devastating destruction.
His Holiness has implored all relevant parties to come to their senses and act with wisdom. They should rise above their selfish ways and their personal interests. They must realise that such a war will harm not only today’s world, but will have a horrific impact on our future generations.
We should not consider the problems and conflicts of today’s world to be minor or insignificant but instead strive our utmost and make every possible effort to establish peace.
Perhaps some may not agree with this analysis. However, it is when a person believes that his own strengths, his intellect and those around him are all powerful that he walks on a path paved with danger. It is at that point where a person becomes blind to the existence of God and to His Power that Almighty God’s Decree sets into motion. Remember, man cannot escape the results of his actions and so will have to suffer the consequences of the cruelties and disorders he has perpetrated.
According to Islam, the requirements of justice are fulfilled when a person acknowledges his mistakes and does not only value the interests of his friends or of his own policies, but instead gives preference to fulfilling the rights of all people.
We urge you to raise your voices with justice against all forms of cruelty, corruption and disorder so that the world can be saved from destruction.
This includes:
We note that the instigators behind the persecution of Ahmadis in Pakistan and other countries are connected with the Khatme Nubuwwat (‘finality of prophethood’)1 movement, and that the same movement is also active in the UK.
In Pakistan organisations like Khatme Nubuwwat have been allowed to grow and flourish and they now yield considerable power and influence over the government. Their religious ideology is now intrinsically woven into the political structure leading to extremism that has now spiralled out of control2.
1 Meaning that there can be no prophets after the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
2 ‘...it is now beyond the power of [the Pakistan] government to reverse the situation for Ahmadis.
Over time the religious political parties have gained in strength, sensitising the population to the status of Ahmadis to the point where ‘the common man can be incited and brought to the street’ against Ahmadis.’ (Views of a senior government adviser in Pakistan, noted in the 2007 report of
This vocal and active minority of Muslims are now exporting this ideology to the UK and spreading hatred against the Community. These activities have escalated following the attack on two Ahmadiyya mosques in Lahore, Pakistan in May 2010 in which 86 people were killed and continued unabated to this day.
It is our concern that unless this hatred and in some cases incitement to violence in the UK is stopped now it will escalate further and affect not just Ahmadi Muslims but other Muslims as well as wider society. We believe therefore that this is a serious and real threat to community cohesion in the UK.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a non-violent community and will remain so, but we urge the authorities to take note of the issues raised and take whatever action is necessary to prevent extremists from preaching hatred and violence against Ahmadi Muslims in the UK and to preserve the social harmony and peace for all its citizens.
the UK Parliamentary Human Rights Group mission to Pakistan into internal flight for Ahmadis, entitled Rabwah: A Place For Martyrs?
