What is Faith Series: Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

What is Faith? The Grieboski Report this week continues its investigating faith, belief and religion around the globe. We hear in the media about certain religious groups and have allowed stereotypes to cloud our understandings on faith. This series will look into the panoply of faiths that cover the globe, allowing us to learn more about each faith so that we can engage them in a way and means that grants greater respect and understanding, even if we disagree with their beliefs. This week we look at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The Ahmadiyya Community was established in 1889 by Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in Qadian, in the Punjab, India. He claimed to be the expected reformer of the latter days, the Awaited One of the world community of religions (The Mahdi and Messiah). The Community he started is an embodiment of the benevolent message of Islam -- peace, universal brotherhood, and submission to the Will of God -- in its pristine purity. Hadhrat Ahmad proclaimed Islam as the religion of man: "The religion of the people of the right path" The Community carries out extensive social projects, educational institutes, health services, Islamic publications and construction of mosques, despite being bitterly persecuted in some countries. Ahmadi Muslims have earned the distinction of being a law-abiding, peaceful, persevering and benevolent community. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community encourages interfaith dialogue, and diligently defends Islam and tries to correct misunderstandings about Islam in the West. It advocates peace, tolerance, love and understanding among followers of different faiths. It firmly believes in and acts upon the Qur'anic teaching: "There is no compulsion in religion." (2:257) It strongly rejects violence and terrorism in any form and for any reason. Joining us today from London is Salim Malik, Human Rights Coordinator for the National President of the Ahmadiyya Community in the UK.