National Symposium to Mark Centenary of One of Britain's Oldest Established Muslim Communities

LONDON, March 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

The Baitul Futuh Mosque, Morden, London, Saturday 23^rdMarch

A Muslim community is beginning its UK centenary celebrations with a National Peace Symposium in the capital.

Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will converge on western Europe's biggest mosque in London, to celebrate 100 years since the community's UK branch was established. The community will host its 10th annual peace symposium today, 23 March.

More than 800 guests will attend the unique event, including Ministers, parliamentarians, diplomats from 13 countries, faith and civic leaders as well as representatives from numerous charities and faith communities. Messages of goodwill have also come in from the Prime Minister, Rt Hon David Cameron MP, the Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP, and the Leader of the Labour Party, Rt Hon Ed Milliband MP and Canada's newly appointed Ambassador for Religious Freedom, Dr Andrew Bennet, will also be speaking at the event.

The keynote speech will be delivered by the worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community His Holiness Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad who will speak on the theme of the event 'Pathway to Peace'. This follows his addresses over the past year at various national and international for a including Capitol Hill and the European parliament.

"Britain has provided a home for people from across the world.  As Ahmadi Muslims, we give thanks to Queen and Country for allowing us to practice our faith freely.  Islam teaches us to be loyal to the country in which we reside and as Ahmadi Muslims we believe it is our duty to serve the country, to contribute to society and promote peace and good citizenship.

"That is why we have begun our centenary year celebrations with a peace conference and this will be followed by charitable events and interfaith activities in order to highlight the importance we attach to serving mankind. The symposium promotes a deeper understanding of Islam and other faiths and seeks to inspire a concerted effort for lasting peace.

"When we say Islam means peace, we practice that very fact and demonstrate it with our actions. Our ethos is Love for All, Hatred for None."

Prime Minister, Rt Hon David Cameron MP, said:

"…Your achievements are many, from building London's first mosque in Southfields in 1924, to the phenomenal work you have done in promoting peace right across the country.

"Your tremendous charitable services that you have delivered to old and young alike, your care for the environment by planting thousands of trees each year, your feed the homeless project and blood donation drives are just a few of the many reasons that Britain can be proud of you. This is true faith in action

"I hope that your good works, your message of peace and your philosophy of Love For All Hatred For None continue to flourish in Britain and throughout the world."

Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP, said:

"Through His Holiness Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad's distinctive leadership you have held fast to the principles of peace - even in the face of severe persecution in some countries. I congratulate your holiness and congratulate the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK on this centenary year. May your good works continue to flourish."

Leader of the Labour Party, Rt Hon Ed Milliband MP, said:

"This centenary year is a tremendous milestone for the community and your contribution to national life over the past century can be gauged from your on-going commitment to the values of loyalty, freedom and peace. Your motto of 'Love For All Hatred For None' is one that we welcome and support."

During the symposium, the community will present the Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Peace which was launched in 2009. The award comprises a trophy together with a certificate and a monetary prize and this year it is being awarded to Dr Boachie-Adjei (Founder of The Foundation of Orthopaedics and Complex Spine)  for his outstanding work in the promotion of peace through his life-changing medical work in Africa and the Caribbean, that has provided hope and a future for thousands of people in the developing world.

A press conference hosted by His Holiness will follow the main event and dinner.

More information on the event here: http://www.peacesymposium.org.uk

Baitul Futuh Mosque, 181 London Road, Morden, Surrey SM4 5PT

Love for All Hatred for None

Contact
Basharat Nazir media@ahmadiyya.org.uk Tel +44-7703-483-384
Mahmood Rafiq Tel +44-7971-060-962
http://www.loveforallhatredfornone.org
http://www.alislam.org