Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association UK A Nation Cannot Be Reformed Without First Reforming Its Youth Love For All, Hatred For None
The Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was established by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (on whom be peace) in 1889 in a small and remote village called Qadian in Punjab, India. He claimed to be the expected reformer of the latter days and the awaited one of the world community of religions (the Mahdi and Messiah of the latter days). The community he started is an embodiment of the benevolent message of Islam in its pristine purity that promotes peace and universal kinship based on a belief in the Gracious and EverMerciful God. In 2014, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community celebrated its 125th anniversary. It has expanded globally and has branches in 204 countries. The community promotes the peaceful teachings of Islam through its The Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (on whom be peace) charitable and development projects, the building of schools and hospitals open to all and by is therefore one of the oldest any other way. Always work for encouraging learning through and most established Muslim the good of mankind. organisations in Britain. interfaith dialogue. (Translated from one of the The UK chapter of the community Be kind and merciful to books of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam was established in 1913 and in humanity, for all are God s 1924 it built London s first purpose creatures: do not oppress them Ahmad (on whom be peace) built mosque (in Southfields). It with your tongue, or hands or in titled Kishti-e-Nuh (Noah s Ark)) 2
The Khalifa of Islam A Man of Peace His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his helper) was elected as the fifth Khalifa (spiritual leader) of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in 2003. His Holiness leads a worldwide campaign to convey the peaceful message of Islam through all forms of print and digital media. Under his leadership, Ahmadi Muslims the world over are engaged in grassroots efforts to distribute millions of Peace leaflets to Muslims and non-muslims alike, host interfaith and peace symposia, and present exhibitions of The Holy Qur an showing its true and noble message. These campaigns have received worldwide media coverage and demonstrate that Islam champions peace, loyalty to one s country of residence and service to humanity. Peace, an international award for individuals or organisations that have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment and service to peace and humanitarianism. In 2012, both the United States Congress and the European Parliament benefited directly from His Holiness s speeches on peace, justice and unity. with more than 30 members of the United States Congress. In conjunction with this historic event, a bi-partisan resolution was introduced in the House of Representatives in honour of His Holiness s visit. On 4 December 2012, His Holiness delivered a historic keynote address at the European Parliament in Brussels to a packed audience of more than 350 guests representing 30 In 2004, His Holiness launched the annual National Peace Symposium in which guests from all walks of life come together to exchange ideas on the promotion of peace and harmony. Every year, the symposium attracts many serving ministers, parliamentarians, politicians, religious leaders and other dignitaries. In 2009, His Holiness also launched the annual Ahmadiyya Muslim Prize for the Advancement of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, 5th Khalifa of Ahmadiyya Muslim Association On 27 June 2012, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad was welcomed to Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. where he delivered a keynote address entitled, The Path to Peace Just Relations between Nations, to an audience filled countries, including the President of the European Parliament. During his thirty-five minute address, His Holiness called on the European Union to preserve its unity and called for equality and justice in international relations. 3
Public Service His Holiness has travelled globally to promote and facilitate service to humanity. He regularly meets presidents, prime ministers, other heads of state, parliamentarians and ambassadors of state. His Holiness takes a particular interest in alleviating the suffering of developing nations, by helping to improve their agriculture and facilitating access to food, clean water and electricity. He oversees the work of the International Association of Ahmadi Architects and Engineers (IAAAE), an organisation briefed with leading various humanitarian and development projects, in remote areas of the world. The scope and expertise of this organisation has grown at a rapid rate under his leadership. Likewise, His Holiness supports the work of Humanity First, an international non-profit disaster relief and development charity, and other such organisations. Under the leadership of His His Holiness addressing the European Parliament Holiness, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has built a number of schools and hospitals that provide high class facilities in remote parts of the world. Through various schemes of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness has funded the tuition and education of numerous underprivileged students around the world, irrespective of their religious background. What Global Leaders say about His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad Rt Hon, Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada, 19 February 2013...your belief in tolerance and harmony endures. In this you make an inspiring contribution to our values. You strengthen Canada s commitment to diversity and pluralism. Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, 27 June 2012 On Capitol Hill today, His Holiness offered a message of wisdom and compassion, implored us all to build bridges of understanding, and inspired us all to remain dedicated to the mission of peace and the cause of justice. His holiness and his community are a critical thread in the fabric of American life and success, always staying true to our values: pluralism, equality, non-violence among nations and respect among faiths. Rt. Hon Ed Milliband MP, Leader of the Labour Party, 2013 This Centenary year is a tremendous milestone for the community and your contribution to national life over the past century can be gauged by your on-going commitment to the values of loyalty, freedom and peace. Federal Member of House of Representatives, Australian Parliament, Chair of the Statutory Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security. Anthony Byrne MP, 11 October 2013 We are all very impressed by Ahmadi muslims because they promote dialogue and always seek to benefit their local communities. I wish His Holiness (Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad) well, not just during his stay in Australia but for the rest of his life. 4
Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) And We have sent thee (Prophet Muhammad) not but as a mercy for all peoples. The Holy Qur an [21:108] The AMYA is a national faith group comprised of male youths that seeks to nurture the physical, moral and spiritual development of its members thereby enabling them to become better citizens and serve the community at large. Love and loyalty for one s country is an essential part of Islam as directed by the Holy Qur an and because the Founder of Islam, The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) emphatically ordered and taught this. The noble life and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) provides us with an illustrious practical example of serving humanity. As a result, our youth engage in a number of volunteering projects across the country. These include: Environmental Projects Disaster Relief Blood Donations Respecting the Elderly Hospital/Nursing Home Visits Feeding the Homeless Charity Fundraising Points of Light Award Zafar Ahmad Your presence in this country is a living example of how Britain has become a true home to people from all corners of the world......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 Prime Minister, David Cameron This volunteer work represents an essential part of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community s really important contribution to UK national life whether through helping to raise wider awareness and understanding of the Islamic faith, or fundraising and feeding the homeless, donating blood, and other charitable acts. Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg Guardian Newspaper Volunteer of the Year, Kamal Aftab meeting Her Majesty the Queen Additionally, throughout the year we collaborate with charitable partners to provide careers advice, exhibitions and demonstrations for our youth. We seek to facilitate personal development through to practical accomplishment. Our youth volunteers also pro-actively get involved in raising awareness about persecution around the world, stop extremism, FGM, anti-slavery and many other campaigns. 5
AMYA s Contribution to British Society Environmental Projects If a Muslim plants a tree or grow grains, then a bird, a person or an animal eats from it, it will be counted as charity for him. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (Bukhari, Muslim) AMYA has partnered with environmental groups throughout the country such as the Woodlands Trust, Local Conservation of Volunteers, Trees for Cities and local authorities to plant over 100,000 trees throughout the UK. The highlight was planting 17,500 trees in one day! It is through these partnerships that the AMYA strive to achieve the target set by the government to plant over 3 million trees with wider community participation by 2018. As well as planting trees, AMYA have engaged with local communities to help with other activities such as conservation work, cleaning the streets, church yard maintenance and developing play areas. Disaster Relief If you are kind to your neighbour, you will be a believer. If you like others to have what you like for yourself, you will be a Muslim. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)(tirmidhi) It is the duty of every Muslim to provide assistance to anyone in need. With this in mind, AMYA volunteers are ready to assist in whatever capacity they can and aim to be one of the first organisations on the ground when an emergency strikes. Following the recent floods that caused widespread damage to property and distress to thousands, the AMYA immediately engaged their youth to volunteer and assist the local community, 6
councils, police and the Army. AMYA provided 600 blankets and 3000 water bottles which were distributed to Chertsey, Wraysbury, Egham, Datchet, Winchester, Reading and Somerset. Our volunteers also assisted in sandbagging, delivering leaflets door to door for local councils in flood affected areas, clearing of water and fallen trees and providing emergency supplies. Flood warnings were monitored by AMYA through the Environmental Agency and the Met Office and volunteers dispatched accordingly to affected areas like Gloucester, Manchester, Blackpool, Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Cornwall and others. Blood Donations And whoso gave life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind. The Holy Qur an [5:33] Islam is a religion of mercy and caters for all the problems faced by humanity. It enjoins the preservation of human life and protecting it against all potential harm, affliction and hardship. In 2014, AMYA members donated over 6000 pints of blood - the equivalent of saving 18,000 lives. AMYA work closely with the National Blood Service by hosting blood donation sessions open to the public and also creating a greater awareness of the benefits of blood donation, highlighting the shortage of specific blood groups within ethnic minorities. AMYA also encourage stem cell donation and organ transplant registration. Lt Col IM Gardiner, Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion The Royal Irish Regiment Thank you very much for the gift of blankets and water your volunteers made to my soldiers during the recent floods in Worcester. I understand that the blankets were a symbol of peace, friendship and hospitality at a difficult time. They certainly made my men s lives more comfortable in the Army Reserve Centre. Please accept my humble and heartfelt thanks, on behalf of the soldiers for your kindness, generosity and friendship. 7
Respecting The Elderly If a young man honours the elderly on account of his age, Allah appoints someone to honour him in his old age. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (Tirmidhi) Islam promotes that the young should always honour and respect the elderly regardless of their colour or religion. This helps to bridge the gap between generations and spreads an atmosphere of love and understanding between the young and the old. Over 2,000 members of the elderly community were visited by our AMYA volunteers throughout 2014. These visits have provided much needed support and company for the elderly and has reinforced within our youth to look after and respect their elders. Hospital & Nursing Home Visits Feed the hungry, visit the sick... The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (Bukhari) Visiting the sick is a major responsibility that every single Muslim is duty-bound to fulfil. As with every other virtuous deed and noble duty, Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) led by example. He would both make time to personally visit the sick and also enquire after them through others. Over 1000 visits have been made to various hospitals and nursing homes across the country. The visits are organised regionally and locally throughout the year. AMYA volunteers actively participate in various activities and offer gifts like chocolates, fruit, flowers and presents for young children. Sophie Andrews, CEO, The Silverline...we are a new helpline for older people who provide information, friendship and advice. We believe the inter generational link with young people is vital and very refreshing. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with AMYA and would like to thank all the volunteers for their generous support and kindness to us. 8
Saving Lives.and if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the whole humanity. The Holy Qur an [5:33] Feeding The Homeless And they feed, for the love of Him, the poor, the orphan, and the prisoner. Saying, We feed you for Allah s pleasure only. We desire no reward nor thanks from you. The Holy Qur an [76:9,10] On 30th April 2013, during his usual course, Osman Dean, was waiting for his rush hour train at Stockwell tube station - making his way back from work. As the train pushed the wind through the tunnel approaching the platform, he watched his paper flick and turn when suddenly, the women inches by his side, brushed past his arm falling head first on to tracks. Without a moment of thought and fear for his life, he threw himself after the women. Head to head with the oncoming train, which gave no sign of slowing down, he quickly manoeuvred taking care not to make contact with the tracks and lifted the women on her feet. Not knowing he would make it out on time, another bystander lifted them moments before the train stopped only feet away. On the 26th April 2014, this brave AMYA member was awarded with a Merton Civic Award in the Act of Courage category. He was also awarded with the Mayor of Merton s Award for Outstanding Achievement. Feeding the hungry and helping the poor is an integral part of Islam. This directive inspired the AMYA homeless feeding initiative. AMYA volunteers pack containers and distribute food at homeless shelters and various locations across the country on a weekly basis. AMYA have so far distributed over 32,000 packs of food to the homeless throughout the country. Items of clothing, non-perishable foods and blankets are also provided to food and clothing banks, the Salvation Army and places of worship that help the needy. 9
Charity Fundraising Every act of goodness is charity The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (Bukhari, Muslim) AMYA s flagship fundraising event is titled the Mercy 4 Mankind Charity Challenge in deference to the title of Mercy for Mankind given to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the Holy Qur an. As of Spring 2014 over 350,000 has been raised for local and national charities across the country at various events and fundraising opportunities under the Mercy4Mankind banner. Fundraising through this event continues throughout the year. AMYA have also partnered with charities at a regional level and regularly volunteer for charity bucket collections at various locations, fundraising skydives and other fundraising activities. AMYA have also had the privilege of being asked to represent some of their charity partnerships at corporate events. AMYA volunteers also actively collect for the Poppy Appeal and have raised over 80,000 in five years. Over 1.5 million has been raised over the past few years for a number of British charities. All expenditure relating to the fundraising events are absorbed by AMYA so that maximum benefit can be achieved for the charities. Recognition Despite never seeking recognition for their charitable work, AMYA volunteers have won a number of awards that show the range of community and charitable work undertaken by individuals and by the organisation as a whole. AMYA are absolutely delighted and humbled to receive these awards as they help demonstrate their message of Love for All, Hatred for None and allows them to display the true teachings of Islam. 10
Thus, these are the great and noble teachings and high morals that Muslims have been given and which the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community seeks to practically implement in all parts of the world. Whatever we do is motivated entirely by the teachings given to us by Allah in the Holy Qur an. It is because of these teachings that we consider the pain of the world to be our pain. We seek to alleviate the suffering and anguish of mankind as though their problems are our problems and their grief is our grief. This is the teaching that compels me and every Ahmadi Muslim to raise slogans of love and compassion loud and clear throughout the world and to remove all forms of hatred. And we do not limit our efforts to mere words or slogans but we practically seek to help and assist others in all possible ways and to spread love, affection and brotherhood to every corner of the world. Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (May Allah be his helper) Inauguration of the Noor Mosque in Crawley, West Sussex. 18th January 2014 11
AMYA Promotes Freedom Respect Equality Loyalty Peace A true muslim is loyal to the country he resides in Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community cycling from Glasgow to London, promoting peace and raising 100k for British Heart Foundation and Humanity First Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community volunteering to plant poppies at the Tower of London Volunteers from Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association representing the charity CLIC Sargent at a Barclay s Bank pop-up day For further information on the voluntary activities of the AMYA, please contact the AMYA Outreach Team: Email: k-e-k@khuddam.org.uk Tel: 020 8687 7809 www.muslimsforhumanity.org.uk www.loveforallhatredfornone.org @mka_uk @amya_humanity Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, Baitul Futuh Mosque, 181 London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5PT AMYA is a registered charity with charity number 1135657