Unite-Against-Extremism at Western Europe's Biggest Mosque

LONDON, February 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Faith and Political Leaders Warn About 'Cancer of Extremism' Infecting Communities Across the Globe -Including UK- Following Atrocities in Indonesia

- PHOTO/Interviews: 11.00am-12.45pm on Friday February 18 at Baitul Futuh Mosque, Morden SM4 5HA

Faith and political leaders are to converge on western Europe's biggest mosque in London this Friday (February 18) to mark their solidarity against extremism in the wake of new atrocities in Indonesia against Christians and Ahmadiyya Muslims.

They will express their deep hurt and outrage at the rising tide of extremism in Indonesia which is being infected with the same intolerant ideology that has shattered Pakistan. The Unite-Against-Extremism in Indonesia gathering will be at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden from 11.00am-12.45pm.

Leaders from different faiths and denominations have been invited along with civic leaders and political representatives- including two Peers - to sign a condolence book for victims of extremist murders in Indonesia.

The event is being organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK to draw attention to concerns about extremist ideologies being spread to different countries, including the UK, by preachers of hate.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, who will address millions of Muslims via global satellite TV said:

"Today's Ulema (religious scholars) are turning the clock back thousands of years by committing acts of utter barbarity and depravity all in the name of Islam and are instructing their followers to do the same. These people have even hardened the hearts of their children so much that when the murders and violence were taking place, children stood by applauding."

"Their intolerance towards others threatens to tear up the fabric of civilised society and the values we hold dear. It is a cancerous ideology that nullifies the value of all but them," said Rafiq Hayat, President Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK.

"We need to live and let live and resist the mindset that decries others, vilifies them and treats them as less than human. Fascism and extremism must be resisted however they manifest themselves.

"We will stand shoulder to shoulder with faith leaders from different religions and want the millions of fair minded people in Indonesia to know that we are united with them in their resistance against the attempts to destabilise the country with an extremist agenda. Islam is about peace and anyone who acts contrary to this is an enemy to the faith and to humanity."

The UK Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is demanding a full inquiry into the 6th February attack in Indonesia where a murderous mob of some 1,000 people, brandishing machetes, spears, knives and other weapons, publicly murdered three members of the community and injured five others. The attack occurred in Cikeusik, south of Banten in Indonesia, where the Ahmadi Muslims consist of 30 people from 7 families.

In a separate incident extremists also burnt churches and attacked a court house over what they considered to be a lenient sentence for a Christian convicted of 'blasphemy'.

In the last year, both Christians and Ahmadi Muslims - as well as Shia Muslims - have been subject to atrocities in Pakistan. The extremist mindset is also manifested in the UK with Ahmadiyya Muslims being subjected to a targeted hate campaign which has included preachers on Asian television channels advocating the murder of 'non-believers' and 'apostates'.

    
    Contact

    Basharat Nazir, Press Secretary
    Baitul Futuh Mosque, 181 London Road, Morden, United Kingdom
    Phone: +44-7703-483-384
    Email: media@ahmadiyya.org.uk
    Web: http://www.loveforallhatredfornone.org
    Web: http://www.alislam.org