After Christchurch, time to live by ‘love for all, hatred for none’

A

Originally Published in The Middletown Press on March 27th, 2019

Commemorations are arising amid the aftermath of March 15’s barbaric terrorist attacks martyring 50 Muslims in Christchurch, New Zealand, who gathered at mosques to observe the Islamic worship service that day.

As Ahmadi Muslims, we mourned the sacred lives lost, many of whom were innocent children, to blind hatred and violent misunderstandings, and we were not alone. As our worldwide spiritual leader, the Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, said: “this should serve as a lesson and warning … we must join together to tackle all forms of racial, ethnic and religious hatred with wisdom and with a firm hand.”

Our Baitul Aman House of Peace Mosque in Meridenwhich was shot at three years ago, belonging to the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, who believe the Messiah has come in Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, were embraced with tearful prayers, statements of solidarity, heartfelt letters and cards of condolences, flowers, and unified action by our Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, and even atheist siblings in humanity.

Thank you. We invite you to also be a bridge in a divided society by visiting our mosque for dignified dialogue Tuesday nights at 6 p.m., as well as by inviting us to your houses of worship and platforms.

It shouldn’t take a tragedy for us to come together in understanding. Now is the time to live by “love for all, hatred for none” through our actions.

About the author

Avatar photo
Zahir Muhammad Mannan

Zahir Mannan is the Head Teacher and Administrative Associate at the Early Learning Program, Inc. at Central Connecticut State University, and a previous Associate Research Scientist at Yale University School of Medicine. He leads a weekly Holy Quran study group at Baitul Aman "House of Peace" Mosque in Meriden, CT, where he also teaches an advanced Holy Quran class for Tahir Academy. He has served the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in diverse capacities including national follow-up coordinator for 1-800-WHY-ISLAM, local Youth President, local Interfaith Outreach Director, local Holy Quran Education and Temporary Devotion Director, and local Youth Publication Director.

0 0 votes
Article Rating
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments