Is Loyalty to Faith compatible with Loyalty to State?
This year, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in New Zealand is asking leaders of various faiths to present their view point
on the very interesting question about how religion may have an effect on a person’s loyalties. The question ‘Loyalty to
Faith, or State?’ is the main theme for this year’s Peace Symposium that the Ahmadiyya community holds annually to
encourage dialogue amongst followers of all faiths.
Similar symposia are organised by the Ahmadiyya community in many different parts of the world. The concept originated
over a century ago, when the founder of the community Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam AhmadAS invited leaders of all major faiths
in the Indian sub-continent, to address such fundamental questions as the philosophy behind teachings of their
religions. These symposia have continued ever since, with the Ahmadiyya community using these to bring together
religious as well as secular leaders to present their point of view on topical issues.
The President of the Ahmadiyya community in New Zealand, Mr Bashir Khan says, “Recent events involving terrorists
belonging to various groups has highlighted how some fanatics may wrongly use the name of rleigion to justify their
heinous crimes even against the countries where they have lived for years. The Ahmadis under the leadership of their
Caliph and the worldwide head, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, believe that loyalty to one’s homeland is part of a Muslim’s
faith. We hope that by providing this platform for faith leaders to come together, we can dispel the common
misconception that loyalty to faith and loyalty to one’s own country are mutually exclusive.”
This year, the community will hold its annual Peace Conference on the morning of 26th of August, at the Fickling
Convention Centre, Three Kings, Auckland. Invited speakers from the Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, Sikh and Islamic
faiths will discuss the chosen theme in the light of the teachings and messages from their religious scriptures.
Attendance is through invitation only, but anyone interested in attending can contact Mr Eqbal Khan on 0211336146 for
details.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, fast-growing international revival movement within Islam. Founded in 1889
by Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) in Punjab, India, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community spans 210 countries with
membership exceeding tens of millions. Its motto of ‘Love for all and hatred for none’ is evidenced through the peaceful
actions of its millions of followers. The New Zealand branch of this community was established in 1987 and is a
registered charitable organisation that endeavors to be an active and integrated community within New Zealand society.
ENDS