WE STAND UNITED AGAINST EXTREMISM

This campaign seeks to remove misconceptions and calls on all people of peace, including those of faith and no faith, to come together and stand in solidarity against all forms of extremism.

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We call on you to go online to add your voice to the cause and to support the principles of this campaign to:

  1. Reject all forms of extremism
  2. Call for greater dialogue to combat misinformation, promote understanding and mutual respect in society; and
  3. Stand shoulder to shoulder with people of all faiths and of no faith in solidarity against extremism.

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About the Campaign

The rise of extremism and hatred, which flourishes on misinformation, threatens the peace of our society. In too many instances this has resulted in violence.

As Muslims we know that all prophets came with a message of peace. It is therefore critical that we remove misconceptions and work for social harmony.

This campaign calls on all people of peace, including those of faith and of no faith, to come together in solidarity against all forms of extremism. Standing together, united against extremism, for the sake of peace we pledge to promote mutual respect, preserve our bonds of friendship and build a peaceful society for all.

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“…we must unite in our efforts to end all forms of extremism and prejudice, whether religious, racial or of any other kind.”

(His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, keynote address at the National Peace Symposium, Baitul Futuh Mosque, London, 9 March 2019) 

Messages of Support

  • Sir Keir Starmer MP, Leader of the Labour Party

    On behalf of the Labour Party, I’d like to send my heartfelt good wishes to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The Labour Party stands with you [for] your fight for peace, justice, and tolerance across the world. I’m incredibly thankful for your immense contribution throughout the last 18 months. You opened your mosque doors as part of the vaccine rollout. You provided meals and essential supplies to our most vulnerable. And of course, you’ve worked on the front line. Your efforts have saved lives and kept the country going.

    Paul Scully MP, Minister of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

    Whether it’s saving lives, whether it’s comforting people, whether it’s reaching out to people within your community, whether it’s feeding the nation and your community, getting people around through transport as well. You have played a huge role in the fight back against the pandemic.

    Bishop Angaelos OBE, General Bishop Coptic Orthodox Church UK

    I have the greatest respect for the Ahmadiyya Community in the UK and we have incredibly good links. We stand together as people of faith and we understand the significance of being of strong faith.

    Rt Hon Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park PC, Minister of State for Pacific and the Environment

    I remain hugely concerned about the persecution that Ahmadi Muslims continue to face and this persecution is now following you into the online space. At the recent Freedom of religion or belief ministerial, as a government, we stood in solidarity with you, and I’m grateful to you for hosting two events to highlight your own situation. But despite all of this, I’m always so inspired to see the work that you do here in the UK, your charitable efforts are exemplary. And your work in building cohesive societies encapsulates your…

    Siobhain McDonagh MP, Chair of the APPG for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, MP for Mitcham and Morden

    In Westminster, I am proud to have recently been reelected as the chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. As a group, we continue to work cross-party to raise religious persecution and hate with the government. No one should be discriminated against because of their religious beliefs. That’s why the continuing reports of persecution around the world towards the Ahmadi Muslim community must be condemned, loud and clear. 

    Rt Hon Sir Edward Davey MP, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, Vice-Chair of the APPG for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

    Thank you for letting me send this short message of support on behalf of my political party, the Liberal Democrats. I want to say thank you to the whole community. Thank you for all the amazing charitable work you do. From Humanity First to the hands on help so generously offered time and again, not least, by the youth movement. Thank you for getting involved in so many community events. From selling poppies ahead of Remembrance Sunday to organising street parties for this year’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations for our Queen….

Response to Extremism

In light of the recent tragic events in Southport, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of the three girls who were brutally killed. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones and we cannot imagine the pain and loss this needless attack must have caused.

Following the subsequent violence in Southport and other parts of the UK we reiterate our longstanding call for peace, respect and understanding among all communities. The shocking scenes are deeply disturbing and the abhorrent violence must end.

Any action that creates disorder or destruction is completely contrary to the teachings of all prophets so all of us, especially people of faith, must unite against hatred and extremism.

There is absolutely no excuse for any violence or extremism. It is completely unjustifiable and inexcusable.

The violence reflects a disturbing undercurrent of far-right extremism, in a minority of people, that feeds off Islamophobia and racism. They do not represent the vast majority of peace-loving citizens of this country.

This situation is exacerbated by the spread of misinformation – especially on social media – particularly following the tragic incidents in Southport. This is further polarising society.

We commend the bravery of police officers and emergency workers who are on the front line to provide safety and security for all.

We are heartened by the resolute and peaceful response by society at large who have stood up against the violence. It shows the humanity and compassion that exists in the society despite the challenges we face. It shows the strength of communities coming together for the sake of peace. It shows there is always hope.

The violence must stop.  

  • Perpetrators of violence must face the full force of the law so that we have law and order in society. 
  • We need dialogue and rational discussions to promote social cohesion, not violence that tears communities apart. 
  • Now more than ever, we must come together as a society to reject extremism in all forms and work towards greater understanding and mutual respect. 

We call on all people of peace to join us in standing united against extremism, and against hatred and violence. 

  • The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK remains dedicated to promoting peace and understanding and will continue to work towards building a society where everyone can live without fear or prejudice. We do this through or charity work, donations to foodbanks, feeding the homeless, helping neighbours, helping the elderly and many other projects throughout the year and we have been doing this for decades in the UK. 

His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, is the Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. His Holiness has continually advocated the peaceful teachings of Islam and has condemned acts of terrorism and extremism in various addresses throughout the world, including the UK Parliament, EU Parliament and the US Congress in Capitol Hill. A few extracts of his speeches are presented below. 

“…we must unite in our efforts to end all forms of extremism and prejudice, whether religious, racial or of any other kind.” (The 16th National Peace Symposium, Baitul Futuh Mosque, London, 9 March 2019) 

Campaign Leaflet

United Against Extremism Leaflet

Islam’s Response to Extremism

In light of the recent tragic events in Southport, we offer our heartfelt condolences to the families of the three girls who were brutally killed. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their loved ones and we cannot imagine the pain and loss this needless attack must have caused.

Following the subsequent violence in Southport and other parts of the UK we reiterate our longstanding call for peace, respect and understanding among all communities. The shocking scenes are deeply disturbing and the abhorrent violence must end. 

The Holy Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Allah will not be merciful to those who are not merciful to mankind.” (Bukhari)

“Kindness is a mark of faith, and who-ever has no kindness has no faith.” (Muslim)

The horrific actions of extremists, who conduct their brutality in the name of Islam, have led many to question whether Islam advocates terrorism and violence. The truth, however, is that Islam and terrorism are poles apart as there is no justification in Islam for any form of extremism.

Religion is a source of guidance that leads mankind to be at peace with God and with each other. Islam teaches us that all prophets of God and all religions came with the same message of peace. Any action that creates disorder or destruction is completely contrary to the teachings of all prophets and certainly against the teachings of Islam. Therefore, a Muslim is one who strives to be at peace with all around him.

Extremism is therefore against all religions and Islam in particular. The very meaning of Islam is ‘peace’, security and giving a guarantee of protection against all forms of harm.

No. Islam strongly and unreservedly rejects and condemns terrorism in any form and for any reason, whether committed by an individual, group or government.

In fact, according to Islam, no religion can sanction violence and bloodshed of innocent men, women and children in the name of God, since all religions came from God Who sent His prophets to establish peace in the world.

Islam placed an obligation on every Muslim to uphold peace. This concept is so deeply rooted in Islam that the Holy Qur’an describes true Muslims as those who:

‘…walk on the earth in a dignified manner, and when the ignorant address them, they say, ‘Peace!’ ‘ (Holy Qur’an Ch.25: V.64)

Furthermore the Holy Qur’an champions the sanctity of life:

‘…whosoever killed a person … it shall be as if he had killed all mankind; and whoso gave life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind’ (Holy Qur’an Ch.5: V:33)

In his famous Farewell Sermon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, that God had made the lives, property and honour of every man sacred, stating:

‘…to take anyone’s life or his property or attack his honour is as unjust and as wrong as to violate the sacredness of this day, this month and this terrirory.’ (Sihah Sitta)

This leaves no doubt that there is no justification whatsoever for extremism or terrorism in the teachings of Islam.

No. First and foremost the Holy Qur’an clearly sets out the prohibition of taking of one’s own life.

‘…And kill not yourselves. Surely Allah is Merciful to you. And whoso does that by way of transgression and injustice, We shall cast him into Fire, and that is easy with Allah.’ (Ch.4: V:30-31)

This makes it clear that suicide is forbidden and is condemned by the teachings of Islam. When suicide is used as a mechanism to murder others then it becomes an even greater sin. Suicide bombing, therefore, is an abominable and heinous act that has no justification in the teachings of Islam.

No. The Holy Qur’an is very clear that mankind has a free choice in the matter of religion.

‘There should be no compulsion in religion. Surely, right has become distinct from wrong…’ (Ch.2: V.257)

Muslims are encouraged to spread the message of Islam peacefully with respect and love. The Holy Qur’an is very clear that each person is free to follow or change the faith of his or her choice. Moreover if someone does not believe in God, they have a right to hold that view and cannot be forced to change or be punished in any way for that. According to Islam man is accountable for his beliefs to God alone. Muslims are reminded in the following verse of the Holy Qur’an that God has truly granted freedom of religion to all:

‘And if thy Lord has enforced His Will, surely, all who are in the earth would have believed together. Wilt thou, then, force men to become believers?’ (Ch.10: V.100)

This shows that Islam upholds freedom of religion for all and those who perpetrate evil, seek only to fulfil their selfish interests and their distorted views have no basis whatsoever in the faith of Islam.

His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, is the Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. His Holiness has continually advocated the peaceful teachings of Islam and has condemned acts of terrorism and extremism in various addresses throughout the world, including the UK Parliament, EU Parliament and the US Congress in Capitol Hill. A few extracts of his speeches are presented below.

“Those who fight wars in the name of religion are wrong when they say that they are fighting due to their relationship with God.” (London, 13 November 2010)

“…we must unite in our efforts to end all forms of extremism and prejudice, whether religious, racial or of any other kind.” (The 16th National Peace Symposium, Baitul Futuh Mosque, London, 9 March 2019)

“…we must unite in our efforts to end all forms of extremism and prejudice, whether religious, racial or of any other kind.” (The 16th National Peace Symposium, Baitul Futuh Mosque, London, 9 March 2019)

“Islam is often branded an extremist religion that incites violence, and it is also alleged that large numbers of Muslims are disloyal to their countries, or seek to spread disorder within society. However, I consider such allegations to be false and unjust. Even though so-called Muslim terrorists claim to act in Islam’s name, I do not believe that we are witnessing a religious war; rather, the wars being fought and atrocities committed are only for geopolitical gains. The so-called Jihadi terrorists and extremist clerics serve only to tarnish the name of Islam and undermine the efforts of the vast majority of Muslims who are peaceful and law-abiding citizens. Unquestionably, from the outset, Islam has rejected all forms of extremism.” (The 15th National Peace Symposium, Baitul Futuh Mosque, London, 17 March 2018)

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