Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association celebrates 100 years
Women of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community came together with the wider community to celebrate 100 years of their charitable and humanitarian work
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association (AMWA) has marked 100 years of their establishment and humanitarian work. The theme for the centenary celebrations, which took place on March 8, was Embracing Equity: The Role of Women in Nation Building. Ahmadiyya (meaning followers) have been based at their Mosque in Breck Road since 2015. Throughout the year they organise programs to support the surrounding communities. The Ahmadiyya Muslim community in the North West of England, particularly Liverpool, showcased the role of women in nation building and how they reflected this year’s International Women’s Day theme.
General secretary Farida Laeeq told the ECHO: “The Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association, also known as Lajna Ima’illah (maid servants of Allah), is the women’s auxiliary organisation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. It was established in 1922 by the second successor to the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad. “The ethos of our community lies in our founding principles which focus on autonomy, women leading women, nation building and working together empowering each other. To nation build is when (all) women train future mothers and sisters, as we are the glue of the community and society and we help to build the next generations”.
Various women-led organisations attended, such as; Savera UK, Black Women in Health, Baytree catering and many more including local residents. They showed how small grassroots actions can help to build bridges between communities and they also raised funds in support of the charity, Liverpool Women’s Hospital Foundation Trust charity who also attended. Farida added: “Ramadan begins this week and takes place over 30 days. One of the main purposes of Ramadan is to understand humanity and suffering in the world and our fundraising charity work increases during this period.
“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was established in 1889 by Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, India, and has spread across more than 204 countries. Our motto is “Love for All, Hatred for None” as we continue to promote understanding and tolerance to develop and build a healthy, harmonious society within the wider community”. There were exhibitions of their work over the past 100 years and a guided tour of the Mosque. The event allowed people to get to know and understand the true values and beliefs of Muslim women and how women, from all backgrounds, can unite and have an open dialogue about their beliefs and values. They focused on similarities and co-values of women across all faiths. Their work involves gifts to hospices, volunteering at food banks, multi-faith coffee mornings, raising funds for various charities including Macmillan, the Royal British Legion, Red Cross, Oxfam and many more.
