Taoreed Abdullahi
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at will be happy if nations approach the world on a peaceful path and desist from fueling any action that would trigger the emergence of a horrific third world war.
The Managing Director of Muslim Television Ahmadiyya, MTA International, Sir Munir-ud-din Shams, made this call during his visit to Nigeria as part of efforts to preach peace across the globe and launch a book to dissuade violence across the world tagged, “World Crises and the Pathway to Peace”
Sir Shams said justice should be upheld, and equal rights be given to all countries, but there shouldn’t be violence, either against Muslims or non-Muslims.
The MTA boss, who visited the new facilities at the Ahmadiyya base in Ojokoro, Lagos, including the healthcare facilities, the new digitised MTA studio, and the new solar system, among others, called for peace worldwide, saying it is an atmosphere of peace the desired development and economic advancement could be achieved.
In his peaceful message to Nigerians, Sir Shams said it is important to entrench a strong culture of peaceful and harmonious co-existence among the diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds in the country.
He enjoined the Nigerian government to ensure transparent, just and good governance at all the tiers of government, emphasising that viable economic reforms should be pursued and realized in the best interest of the citizens.
“The fundamental human rights of the citizens, particularly freedom of thought, conscience religion and media, should be entrenched and protected,” Munir-ud-din Shams stated.
“Introducing the newly launched book titled: “World Crises and the Pathway to Peace”, he said the worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Khalifatul Masih, assessed the current state of the world which he described as a turbulent time where the global economic crisis continues to manifest newer and graver dangers; and where the similarities to the period just before the Second World war continue to be palpable and it seems clear that the events are moving the world at an unprecedented pace towards a horrific third world war.
He declared that all people should be granted equal rights without any discrimination or prejudice, saying it is the key and golden principle that lays the foundation for harmony between different groups and nations, and for the establishment of peace.
Sir Shams said: “Today we find that there is division and separation between powerful and weaker nations. For example, in the United Nations, we find that there is a distinction made between certain countries. Thus, in the Security Council, there are some permanent members and some non-permanent members. This division has proved to be an internal source of anxiety and frustration, and thus, we regularly hear reports of certain countries protesting against this inequality. Islam teaches absolute justice and equality in all matters and so we find another very crucial guideline in Chapter 5, Verse 3 of the Holy Qur’an.
Sir Shams said “Powerful and rich countries should not usurp the rights of the poor and weaker countries to preserve their rights, and nor should they unjustly deal with the poorer nations. On the other hand, the poor and weaker nations should not seek to inflict harm on the powerful or wealthy nations whenever the opportunity arises. Instead, both sides should endeavour to fully abide by the principles of justice. Indeed, this is a matter of crucial importance in maintaining peaceful relations between countries,” he stated.
If all of these factors are observed, then true peace will be established,” he stated.
He called on the developed nations to put aside their vested interests, and instead help and serve the less developed and poorer nations with a truly selfless attitude and spirit.
While reacting to questions on the role American President Donald Trump is playing in Gaza and other war nations, the Amir and National Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji Azeez Folorunsho Alatoye urged America not to take over the territory of another country, especially Gaza, to ensure that peace reigns.
He urged the Nigerian government to create a robust economy for the citizens to enjoy and as well increase their economic purchasing power, even in the wake of increment in the prices of commodities.
He bemoaned the spate of insurgency in Nigeria, saying that their action is a crime against humanity and has nothing to do with Jihad.
On the controversies raging over the establishment of the Shariah Court in South West, Alhaji Alatoye said Shariah is constitutional and has been in existence all over the country for several years.
He explained that Shariah law is strictly for Muslims and it is not for non-Muslims.
The coordinator of the MTA Nigeria Studio Team, Dr Qasim Akinreti, said the MTA is working on strategic partnerships with NTA, MITV, TVC, and AIT to bring them into the mix of what Ahmadiyya is doing.
Dr Akinreti said: “What we are trying to give is to give access to everyone, preach peace and contribute to the economic development of the country,”