Muslim elders host peace forum in Tadworth

‘I feel that we, especially those who are community leaders, could have a large part to play in bringing all of us together and developing our knowledge of who we are as people and as a community’. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association Wallington held a peace forum on the topic of world crisis and the pathway to peace in Tadworth. The event, which took place at the at the Tadworth Leisure and Community Centre, was attended by more than 30 people, including Mayor of Reigate and Banstead Cllr Frank Kelly as well as guests from all walks of life.

Several speakers spoke at the forum and shared their thoughts on the topic. Cllr Frank Kelly was grateful for the invitation and said he felt it could be a forum opening many areas of thought and promoting dialogue. He said: “I feel that we, especially those who are community leaders, could have a large part to play in bringing all of us together and developing our knowledge of who we are as people and as a community.”

He also mentioned that he read with interest the letters sent by the head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to the leaders of many countries, explaining the situation as seen by them and explaining the parallels with history. In his keynote address, Imam Mansoor Clarke said that justice is a pre-requisite to get peace in the world but that justice starts from our home. Furthermore, it is not just big nations and governments who are responsible for the issues around the world but we who can make a difference as well. Every one of us can try to fix the problems at various levels.

He also mentioned that the supreme head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, continuously provides his guidance and advocates justice and peace to global leaders. The caliph, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, has expressed his concerns earlier this year. In March 2022, he said: “Most regrettably, it is this neverending craving for power and wealth, whether on the part of Russia, the western world or other major powers, that has led mankind down such a dangerous path that threatens to shatter the peace of the world.” He added: “A dark and ominous shadow has been cast upon much of the world and if, God forbid, the current situation escalates further, the consequences do not bear thinking about.” At the end of the event, the mayor stated that he was enlightened as he used to think he knew a lot about different cultures and the way the world is. However, after listening to Imam Mansoor Clarke, he realized that, although there are problems and crises, there is a difference that can be made and we can all do it. Regardless of how big or small our efforts are it does not matter; we can all play a part.

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