Souvenir on Baitur Rahman Mosque USA Inauguration — Page 40
The Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam Some Comments and Views Gus Yatron, Chairman, Subcommittee on Human Rights and Internati on al Organizations. "As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Human Rights and International Organization, I have had the pleasure to become more aware of the tremendous contributions that the ten million Ahmadi Muslims have made to the count ries and societies in which they live. Ahmadis have enriched all of our lives with their participation in the entire realm of positive human endeavor. In education, medicine, law and other professions, in the arts and culture and in philan- thropy, the work of the Ahmadi Community ha s been manifested. My admiration fo r the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam is heightened by the fact that in some 11 7 count ries the Community faces various forms of discrimination and persecution. Yet, the Ahmadi people remain a peaceful, persevering and benevolent Community. " Dr. Garth N. Jones, Professor of Public Policy and Administration, University of Alaska, Anchorage. "Ghulam Ahmad was an exemplary religious figure, a seeker of truth who contributed much to the advancement of Islam. In fundamental beliefs, Ahmadiyyat is a very compassionate and tolerant religion. Ghulam Ahmad required that his fo ll owers refrain from injuring any person , no matter what his or her religion. " Dr. B. B. Beach, Secretary General, International Religious liberty Association. "The Ahmadiyya Community has endeavored to exert a constructive influence through social projects, educational institutions and health services. Its missionary zeal is to be commended and so is its call for universal brotherhood. Ahmadis has been tested by the fire of persecuti on and the ice of discrimination. I like their emphasis on friendship, equality, tolerance and their opposition, in con- trast to some ot her religious leaders, to bigotry and fanaticism. I welcome the Ahmadiyya support to human rights, including religious liberty - th e basic human right which undergrids and supports all other human rights. " Dr. Stanley E. Brush in The Encyclopedia of Religions. "The organization and missionary achievements of the Movement are remarkable. The latter represents the most successful Islamic proselytizing effort of the twentieth century and led to the establishment of branches in Europe, North America, the Caribbean, Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific Basin. The vigor of its missionary ent erp rise arose from the audacious universalism and self- confidence of Ghulam Ahmad, which imparted a global dimension to the spiritual vision and the ability of his early followers. "