Thousands of Muslims usher in New Year with prayers for peace

LONDON, December 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Thousands of British Muslims belonging to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will gather in over 90 mosques across the country to welcome in the New Year with prayers for peace.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is established in 204 countries, with 160 million followers, and is led by the Khalifa of Islam, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.

The Khalifa of Islam has called for Muslims to pray for peace, justice and equality as millions across the globe suffer as victims of war and political unrest. Spurred on by this call to prayer, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will mark the first hours of the New Year by congregating at mosques and praying for peace.

His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

"To strive for peace is a noble ambition and is something that the world has always stood in great need of.    

"If we look at the situation of the world today, we realise that now, more than ever, it is a pressing and urgent need of the time for us to seek and pursue peace and harmony in the world."

Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community have also marked the New Year by raising tens of thousands of pounds for those suffering in Syria and Indonesia, more than £20,000 for the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal, and by supporting numerous projects aimed at helping the homeless, the elderly and sick children across the UK.

In February, the Khalifa of Islam will host the Conference of World Religions at London's Guildhall, bringing together leaders of faith communities to foster peace, tolerance and love between followers of different beliefs.

This follows speeches by the Khalifa of Islam at the Houses of Parliament, US Congress, European Parliament and German Army Command on the pressing need for equality and absolute justice in order for peace to prevail.

His Holiness added:

"I will, God Willing, always continue to carry out my task and my responsibilities of promoting peace, tolerance, justice and compassion to the corners of the world. I will continue to tell all people that in order to be relieved of the pain and suffering that we face today, we must adopt true justice and equality."

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