New Ahmadiyya Mosque opened in Giessen by Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad says all immigrants must be loyal to country of residence and calls for religious tolerance and understanding

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is pleased to announce that on 21 August 2017, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad inaugurated the Baitus Samad Mosque in Giessen, Germany.

Upon arrival, His Holiness officially inaugurated the Mosque by unveiling a commemorative plaque and offering a silent prayer in thanks to God Almighty. Thereafter, His Holiness led the Zuhr and Asr prayers at the Mosque.

Later, a special reception, attended by 265 dignitaries and guests, was held to mark the opening of the Mosque at the Kongresshalle Giessen.

The highlight of the event was the keynote address delivered by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad during which he emphasised the need for religious tolerance and also spoke about widespread immigration to the West.

At the beginning of his address, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community referred to the name of the new Mosque.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“This mosque is named Baitus-Samad. Al-Samad is an attribute of God which means a Being which is Everlasting and is completely Independent, whereas everything else is dependent upon God.” 

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“Chapter 21, verse 31 of the Holy Quran has explained that the heavens and the earth were a closed-up mass, which were then wrought asunder by Allah the Almighty. Thus, centuries before modern scientists had come up with the ‘Big Bang Theory’, the Holy Quran had enlightened us regarding the creation of the universe. Subsequently, in the same chapter, the Holy Quran speaks of a time when everything in the world will be sealed and brought to an end, which refers to what scientists now define as the ‘black hole’. Yet, as He is Everlasting, the Holy Quran makes it clear that God Almighty has always existed and always will. Thus, Allah the Almighty has called on mankind to worship Him alone and seek refuge only in His existence as He alone is Al-Samad, the Everlasting.”

His Holiness said that religious tolerance and a respect for the beliefs of others was a fundamental tenet of Islam.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Islam teaches that all the major religions were true in their original form and that their respective founders were prophets who came to spread the teachings of God Almighty and were sent to all parts of the world. Given this, it is incumbent on true Muslims to hold the founders of all religions in great esteem and similarly to respect and care for the followers of their faiths. Indeed, the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) have repeatedly instructed Muslims to care for and respect the sentiments of other people under all circumstances.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“When we speak of Jews and say the name of Moses, we say ‘peace be upon him’ due to our respect for Moses and his followers. When we speak of Jesus, we also say ‘peace be upon him’ as we believe him to be a righteous prophet of God who was sent to spread peace in the world. Thus, we respect and honour all prophets and their teachings and this is the means of establishing true peace and harmony in the world.”

His Holiness also called on immigrants to abide by the laws of the land in their adopted nations and to serve their communities to the best of their abilities.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Certainly, all Ahmadi Muslims who are living in this country, whether born or immigrants, must be loyal citizens and seek to help the nation progress and develop. Students should strive to excel so that they can go on to serve the nation, whilst businessmen or women should always be honest in their dealings and display integrity and should ensure that they pay all their taxes and fulfil their duties to the State. Our members should always remember the favours of this nation whereby they are able to practice their faith freely and are being accepted into this nation. They should live here as true loyal citizens of this nation.”

Referring to the demands of ‘true integration’ according to Islamic teachings, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Just prior to this event, I was asked by a journalist about how Muslims can integrate into the West because seemingly there are many differences amongst us. I explained to her that if there are religious differences that exist between us, such as men and women sitting separately or if Muslim women observe Hijab, it does not affect our integration into society. Rather, true integration requires that all people live peacefully with one another, manifest a spirit of love and kindness and, whether male or female, use all their faculties and capabilities to serve their nation and to help it advance. Hence, our Ahmadi Muslim women are working as doctors, nurses and in many other fields and are contributing to society in the very best fashion.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“If Muslim women prefer to sit separately from men during their prayers or during certain events then others should not criticise them for this or object. Such preferences do not lessen their love for their nation or their loyalty to it. Ahmadi Muslim women are very loyal citizens, they are educated and are fully integrated in whichever countries they live. Thus, people should not object unnecessarily to religious differences that may exist between people because that will foster division and needlessly provoke the sentiments of people.” 

His Holiness also mentioned how moments before the event he had been asked by the Lord Mayor of Giessen to water a tree which she was gifting to the new Mosque. His Holiness said that he had, in turn, invited the Lord Mayor to join him as he watered the tree.

Narrating the reaction of the Lord Mayor, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The Lord Mayor was very happily surprised and asked if I was sure it would be ok for her to join me and so I told her that I would be delighted as this was an example of true integration in practice, whereby a religious leader and the Lord Mayor of the city joined together to beautify this town and more importantly to foster an environment of love, peace and tolerance.”

Concluding, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Our desire, our hope and dream is that the world comes to recognise its Creator and that all of mankind lives together in a spirit of mutual love, kindness and brotherhood. We desire to live in a world of compassion and mercy, instead of a world consumed by increasing hostility, disorder, grievances and conflict. These are our objectives and it is for these reasons that we build Mosques throughout the world.”

Earlier, a welcome address was given by the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Germany, Abdullah Wagishauser, followed by comments from guest speakers.

Representing the Chief Minister of Hesse, Martin Rossler, Vice President of Giessen Division said:

“The members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are an example of love and loyalty to their country. You follow the laws of the land and live peacefully and so I am delighted that you have been able to build a Mosque here in Giessen.”

Gerhard Merz, Member of Provincial Parliament said:

“We believe in true religious freedom, where all people are free to practice their faith or beliefs without any fear or concerns and we are delighted that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has shown its intention to remain a permanent part of our city by building a House of God here.”

Dietlind Grabe-Bolz, Lord Mayor of Giessen said:

“Today is not just a significant day for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community but is also a very important day for our city because His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad is visiting us and so we welcome him and thank him for coming here… Ahmadi Muslims are peaceful and if people were to follow your values then we would never see terrorist atrocities as we saw just a few days ago in Barcelona.”

Following her remarks, the Lord Mayor requested His Holiness to sign and leave a message in the ‘Golden Book’ of Giessen.

The formal session concluded with a silent prayer led by His Holiness, followed by dinner. Prior to the reception, His Holiness was also interviewed by various German media organisations.

END

MEDIA CONTACTS

For all press enquiries please contact:
Basharat Nazir E: media@ahmadiyya.org.uk  Tel 07703 483 384
Mahmood Rafiq  E: Mahmood.Rafiq@ahmadiyya.org.uk Tel 07971 060 962

www.LoveForAllHatredForNone.org

www.UnitedAgainstExtremism.com