The Ahmadiyya Muslim community hosted its 18th annual Peace Symposium on Saturday March 9 at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden – the largest of its kind in western Europe.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Peace 2023 was awarded to David Spurdle, the founder of the children’s charity Stand By Me, which provides aid to orphaned children in war-torn countries.
The keynote speaker was His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad – leader of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
His Holiness said: “I wondered if there was any point in us gathering here again today if those with the power to deliver change are determined not to do so.
“With all my heart I hope and pray that, before it is too late, the world comes to its senses.”
The keynote speech was a powerfully opinionated, largely political address which questioned the use of a veto by UN countries, called for a full ceasefire in Gaza, warned against nuclear weapons, and broadly condemned violence between nations as well as within local communities.
His Holiness also urged his audience to view the Israel-Gaza conflict as a geo-political issue, rather than a religious one, and made the same point for the war in Ukraine.
Among the 1,200 guests were politicians, NGOs, seniors of the police and the army, leaders from many faiths, and legal figures such as Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court Karim Khan.
Luke Mooney, Superintendent for the borough of Merton said: “I think it’s really welcoming and collaborative – there is a real feeling of unity.”
Among the evening’s speakers were MPs Sir Ed Davey, Dame Siobhain McDonagh and Jonathan Lord, along with 2020 peace prize winner Adi Roche.
Bordon Town Mayor Leeroy Scott said of the Ahmadi community: “The world should take a leaf from their book because of the ability to function as a unit – and still everybody’s different.”
Khalil Yousuf, one of the organisers and Lib Dem candidate in Farnham and Bordon said: “Despite a fairly precarious global situation, you will find people of all faiths and people of no faith united by a bond of brotherhood and sisterhood.”
Many countries and other Muslim groups persecute Ahmadis, discriminating against their belief that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was the Muslims’ awaited Messiah.
In Pakistan, this can translate to Ahmadis being treated as second-class citizens, with Pakistanis identifying as Muslim made to denounce Ahmadis as non-Muslim.
Yousuf added: “We don’t favour anybody, we invite everyone.”
Yousuf also described the thoughtful process behind compiling the lengthy guest list, and making sure that stakeholders that have influence over society’s development are part of the conversation.
Councillor Andy Tree of East Hampshire said: “The positive messaging of peace is very inspiring.”
Six hundred volunteers, many of them young students, comprised the efficient teams responsible for security, catering, press communications, and hosting.
The event was entirely self-funded and all organisers are volunteers.
The event was broadcast live on the community’s TV network MTA (Muslim Television Ahmadiyya) International, with an expected seven-figure audience.
Featured image credit: Makhzane Tasaweer
