Souvenir on Baitur Rahman Mosque USA Inauguration — Page 1
The Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam An Introduction The Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam is a religious organization, international in its scope, with established branches in 143 countries in Africa, Americas, Asia, Australia, and Europe. At present, its total membership exceeds 10 million worldwide, and the numbers are increasing day by day. Within the last 12 months (from August 1993 to July 1994), more than 400,000 persons joined the Movement. This is the most dynamic denomination of Islam in modern history. The Ahmadiyya Movement was established in 1889 by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835 - 1908) in a small and remote village, Qadian, in the Punjab, India. He claimed to be the expected reformer of the latter days, the Awaited One of the world community of religions. The Movement he started is an embodiment of the moral and spiritual values. It encourages interfaith dialogue, and diligently tries to correct misunderstandings about Islam in the West. It advocates peace, tolerance, love and understanding among followers of different faiths. It firmly believes in and acts upon the Qur'anic teaching: "There is no compulsion in religion. " It strongly rejects violence and terrorism in any form and for any reason. The Movement offers a clear presentation of Islamic wisdom, philosophy, morals and spirituality as derived from the Holy Qur'an and the practice (Sunnah) of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Some Ahmadi members, like late Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan (who served as the first Foreign Minister of Pakistan; President of the 1 6th General Assembly of the U. N. O. ; President and Judge of the benevolent message of Islam - peace, universal brotherhood, and submission to the Wi ll of God - in its pristine purity. Hazrat Ahmad proclaimed Islam as the "Remember that nothing happens on this Earth unless it has been so International Court of Justice, at the Hague), and Dr. Abdus Salam (the Nobel Laureate in Physics in 1979), have also been recognized by the world community for their outstanding services and future religion of man: "Remember that nothing happens on this Earth unless it has been so willed in Heaven. And, it is God of Heaven who revealed to me that ultimately it will be the religion of Islam which will conquer the hearts of people. " willed in Heaven. And, it is God of Heaven who revealed to me that ultimately it will be the religion of Is lam which will conquer the hearts of people. " achievements. After the demise of its founder, the Ahmad1yya Movement has been headed by his elected successors - With this conviction, the Ahmadiyya Movement, within a century, has reached the corners of the Earth. Wherever the Movement is established, it endeavors to exert a constructive influence of Islam through social projects, educational institutes, health services, Islamic publications and construction of mosques, despite being bitterly persecuted in some countries. Ahmadi Muslims have earned the distinction of being a law-abiding, peaceful, persevering and benevolent community. The Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam was created under divine guidance with the objective to rejuvenate Islamic 1 Khalifas. The present Head of the Movement, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, was elected in 1982. His official title is Khalifatul Masih IV He has launched several social projects to help poor countries in Africa, and under his personal supervision and guidance the Movement has translated the Holy Qur'an in more than 50 major languages of the world. In 1982, he initiated a project to build mosques in 5 cities in the United States with an estimated cost of 2. 5 million dollars. The Ahmadi Muslims in the United States responded to his appeal by having Mosques and Islamic Mission Houses in 22 cities with donations of more than 10 million dollars. Masjid Baitur Rahman, by the grace of Allah, is one of them.