Originally published in The News Journal
“Swords can win territories but not hearts.” This was stated by the 4th Caliph (or Khalifa) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and is a great description of ISIS, which has taken arms to establish an Islamic Caliphate (or Khilafat) in Iraq and Syria. Their actions obviously go contrary to the true teachings of Islam, which prohibits the use of compulsion in matters of faith. In their quest to establish a fictitious Khilafat, they wrongfully kill innocent people in the name of Islam.
Khilafat is not a political leadership but a spiritual leadership. The Khalifa sees to the spiritual and moral well being of his people by constantly reminding them of their duty to their creator and fellow human beings and not inspiring them to take arms to win territories.
As the true Khalifa of Islam, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the fifth and current head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, has condemned these erroneous acts by ISIS and other terrorist groups and has advocated for peace and justice at every occasion.
