World Muslim Leader Rejects Pope's Comment on Jihad

The worldwide Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has voiced fears that the Pope’s comments on Islam were adding fuel to the fires of Western propaganda against Islam. And, he said western nations should heed Christ's own message of peace before lecturing Islamic nations on Jihad.

London, ENGLAND (PRWEB) September 17, 2006 -- The worldwide Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has voiced fears that the Pope’s comments on Islam were adding fuel to the fires of Western propaganda against Islam. And, he said western nations should heed Christ's own message of peace before lecturing Islamic nations on Jihad.

The Pope is said to have quoted Emperor Manuel II Paleologos of the Byzantine Empire in portraying Islam in a negative light.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the supreme Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslims in his Friday sermon delivered to millions around the world via satellite TV said:

"The Pope's comments have created such a wrong impression of Islam that one wonders what the motivation was. Does it somehow reflect his own sentiment and, if so, it demonstrates a fundamental lack of knowledge about Islam.

“It was not appropriate for the Pope to reiterate these remarks at a public event at a time when there is so much misunderstanding in the West towards Islam and Muslims. These remarks have done nothing but to inflame the situation.

“What was needed to be said was that some extremist Islamic organisations have adopted certain negative ways, however, the teachings of Islam are contrary to this and that for the peace and security of the world we should work together. But in contrast he has tried to mislead his followers about the teachings of Islam.

"In order to move forward, it behoves religious leaders to rise above the mire of religious rhetoric and misinformation. Leaders should seek to unite not cause further divisions. We deplore these comments and urge people of faith to start working together for the sake of our common humanity.

“Islam means peace - for people to practice it otherwise, or say otherwise, exemplifies how far removed they are from knowledge and understanding of this great faith.”

NOTE TO EDITORS
Ahmadi Muslims – one of the oldest Muslim groups in Britain, recognise Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, a 19th century spiritual reformer from India, as the Messiah awaited by all major religions. The movement, now established in 175 countries, is at the vanguard of the revival of true Islam.

The present Supreme Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, is currently based in West London.

Ahmadi Muslims are extremely active in their communities; they raise tens of thousands of pounds for charities, have their own charity Humanity First that is serving humanity locally as well as in all parts of the world irrespective of colour, race or religion.

The Ahmadiyya Muslims are the pioneers of interfaith dialogue. The community built the first mosque in London in 1924. In 2003 they opened the largest purpose-built mosque in Western Europe in Morden Surrey, which can accommodate more than 10,000 people. The community operates its own 24-hour satellite TV station, MTA.

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