Love for All

"Love thy neighbour as thyself" is a Christian (and Jewish) commandment that seems to have slipped off the tablet in recent years, (either that or there is a lot of self hate in the world).  "Love for all, hatred for none" is the mantra for the Ahmadi Muslim sect that seems to be alive and well.  How so?  I hear you ask, aren't Muslims all terrorists threatening the western way of life?

I'm a curious person by nature and anything I don't understand (or know much about) I do my best to investigate to enable me to make up my own mind about what it all means.  We are living in troubled times with war, refugees, Brexit, inequality and a total mistrust of politicians.  It was this curiosity that resulted in me spending a day in Hampshire at an event called Jalsa with 38,000 muslims from 90 countries.

A flag for each country with staunch flag bearers and a water feature promising to take the Ahmadiyya message to all corners of the world, was the central feature of the temporary village that was erected on this Hampshire farm for the three day religious festival.  The scale of this village is mind boggling. (More on this later.)

Among the many exhibitions that I visited was one of the artefacts and arts of the ancient world. A replica of the shroud of Turin with both owner of the shroud Pam Moon, and the world's leading expert on the shroud, Barry Schwortze, both present and more than happy to discuss everything that is known about the shroud (and you thought this was only in Christian texts). Other items included an ancient manuscript, ceramics, fabrics, and metalware.  Many pieces were from a private collection and are hundreds of years old.  It was fascinating to learn from looking at a 12th century book of the Quran that the text in black (in the centre) is the teachings of Islam, but the writing in red around the edges of the pages are the "thoughts" of scholars in later years.  Some of these "thoughts" have subsequently been referred to as authoritative Islamic texts.


The temporary village had its own TV and radio station, as well as dedicated areas for all the international media.  The Ahmadiyya women ran their own media network, which meant every job and function was carried out by women.  How does that suppressed muslim women mantra go again?  Well, however it goes it was all blown out of the water here.  They were a well oiled and skilled team. Not only did they work without a man in sight (other than those they were interviewing) but they also had their kids wander in and out as if this is a normal part of life.

As in any village there were the markets.  Food, stalls, clothing, jewellery, toys, everything you might want or need.  I was transported to many parts of the globe.  The common thread was the message of love not hate.  The man from this stall sold hats, t-shirts, and jewellery, most with messages of love and peace.

What happened to the hippies of the 60's and 70's who believed in these messages?  Remember John and Yoko? Why does this same generation now mistrust anyone who is different?  What happened to change all of this for the worse? I would like to hear what others think about this (yes you dear readers).


Once upon a time, a million years ago, I ran a business in the food industry, so I'm always interested in the behind the scenes work, (I promised you a few sentences ago we would look at the scale of things in this temporary village). Now just start thinking about feeding 38,000 people three times a day. At my request I was transported to the kitchens where I witnessed the manufacture of 100,000 breads made in one day! Not a cross word spoken, everyone working together ... probably a place that Gordon Ramsay would benefit from visiting!

However let's not forget the primary purpose of the three days.  It is a religious event where the head of the organisation Mirza Masroor Ahmad is sending out a message to the devotees.

Devotees are here to make a pledge to their principals and leader. They were told that "their duty is to give back to the country they live in and to integrate with their neighbours." The principles of the community is to built relationships, to give back, and to be involved in the community whatever the religious differences.

Whatever your beliefs, I cannot disagree with the fundamental message of the Ahmadi of "Love for all, and hatred for none." 

Peace and Justice

"Allah is the gracious and ever merciful" His Holiness Hadrat Mirza Hasroor Ahmad told an audience of more than 900 that included UK politicians, religious representatives, and media from around the world.  The teachings of Islam does not condone the murder, violence, or retribution carried out by groups such as Daesh he said, quoting several passages from the Qur'an to prove his point.

The world leader of the South London based Ahmadiyya Muslim community gave a hard hitting address at the thirteenth peace sympossium at the Baitul Futuh Mosque. He condemned terrorism and extremism, stating that those who preach hatred, revenge, and death are not following the true teachings of Islam.

His Holiness Hadrat Mirza Hasroor Ahmad, Kaliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community

He went on to question the wisdom of governments who demand regime change in other countries and evidenced that in recent decades this has left the countries in complete and utter turmoil with civil wars and unbridled terrorism.

He proposed that governments around the world should work together to address the Syrian refugee crisis to achieve peace in the region and allow the refugees to remain in their own country. There are simply too many refugees for the European countries to absorb.



He warned that if governments continued with their current economic and geopolitical policies then he believes that we are headed for another world war.

Ms Hadeel Qassim

The media was also condemned for their part in giving constant attention to the actions of a minority.  More focus should be given to the positive and not just sensationalising these minority actions.

The event always honours a person who has advanced the cause of peace.  This year the award was given to Hadeel Qassim for her work with children in Iraqi refugee camps. She was a refugee herself, and after receiving help she has returned to help others, especially children trying to survive on their own.


His concluding message was that "we all play our respective roles in furthering the cause of humanity, and that true peace, based upon justice, is established in all parts of the world."

Peace, Justice and Honesty

Islam just as in Christianity has many sects.  Here in London the largest mosque in Western Europe is that of the Ahmadiyya sect.  With millions of followers and in over 200 countries their message is one of peace, tolerance and inclusion.

On March 14 they held their twelfth inter-faith Peace Symposium on the theme of  “Religion, Freedom and Peace” at their mosque in Mordon.  More than a thousand people from around the world attended.  They included politicians, ambassadors, religious leaders and intellectuals and me.

The event always honours a person who has advanced the cause of peace.  This year the award was given to Mrs Sindhutai Sapkal.  Also known as the “Mother of Orphans”, she is a social worker and activist known for her work raising orphan children in the district of Maharashtra, India.

Her life is an achievement in itself.  She was a cowherd who was married at the age of ten and had three sons by the age of twenty.   When she clashed with the local strongman who was fleecing the local community, a local councillor convinced her husband to divorce her.   At the time she was nearly full term with their fourth child, a daughter.  She turned to her mother who refused to take her in.  

Desperate and suicidal she thought of all the children who are abandoned by their families and decided she would be their surrogate mother.   Over the ensuing decades she “adopted” more than 1000 children.  Devoting her entire life to mothering and nurturing them.

At the age of 80, her husband came back and apologised.  She took him in as another child, stating she is only a mother now.

Speakers from various communities and sectors spoke to the theme of the symposium and the effects on local and world events.  The keynote address at the event was given by the global spiritual head and Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Mention Islam or Muslim these days and the chances of a negative reaction are pretty high.  His hard hitting speech condemned all forms of terror and warned that a world driven by greed and an unquenchable thirst for power was heading toward a third world war.  Anti-immigrant sentiments growing and a global arms race were also undermining peace.

He said, it is the responsibility of every country and community, all people and their leaders to change direction and fulfil the requirements of justice, fairness and honesty at all levels of society.