The death of liberalisation!

The Malta Independent: Friday, 18th March 2011 By LAIQ AHMED ATIF

Extremism, fundamentalism, fanaticism and terrorism are being considered the grave threats for today’s world. Presence of these ‘isms’ in any society are highly dangerous. Unfortunately, these characteristics have occupied many countries and societies around the world, where even governments bend their knees in front of these powers.

Extremism and fundamentalism are great threats to those countries and societies where these exist. And if these are not eliminated completely and immediately from such places, I am afraid, they might bring to risk the existence, freedom, liberty and independence of such countries and societies.

For the better development of a country or a society, tolerance and harmony are very crucial and important. Without dialogues and without being ready to accept others’ point of view, societies and countries cannot prosper and cannot gain better achievements in any field.

We have seen the results of fundamentalism in the past, and we are even witnessing them now in some parts of the world. In recent weeks we have seen two high profile murders in Pakistan, where on 4 January, Salman Taseer the Governor of Punjab, and later Shahbaz Bhatti, a Catholic, Federal Minister for Minority affairs of Pakistan, were assassinated. The most painful and saddest aspect of these events is that the killer was presented rose petals and protests were carried out for his release. This is grave insensitiveness.

The death of Mr Bhatti and Mr Taseer is not a death of two persons, but this can be considered the death of liberalisation and openness, because the extremists have once again won against the liberal, secular, open-minded and tolerant persons. And they have hijacked the nation, and any voice against their violent ideology is put to silence by these extremists. This is extremely dangerous, and these are clear signs of intolerance and inharmoniousness.

Killing a person is a grave crime, and in the Holy Quran it is mentioned that “killing a single human life is like killing all humanity.” But very unfortunately we have seen people celebrating the death of innocent men, distributing sweets and presenting rose bouquets to the killer.

We believe that not only Islam, but all the major religions of the world preach respect and human dignity. Killing innocent people is completely forbidden and it is considered a grave sin in all the religions and civilised societies.

When we dig into the details, we do not come across any crime by those who were killed. So, why were they killed? The answer is very simple: Because they were speaking up for justice, they were speaking to repeal a law which was introduced to gain political favours and interests; this legislation was totally unacceptable, was being misused for the last 25 long years, was being used to gain personal and political ends and was totally against the Islamic teachings.

And I should say that they were killed for their outstanding stands on principles. They were killed because they said the truth. They were killed because they were trying to help the victims. They were killed because they raised their voices for innocent Asia Bibi, who is behind bars because of allegations of blasphemy against her, even though she is denying to all charges. The blasphemy law has been used against minorities e.g. Christians, Hindus and Ahmadis, and in the last 25 years dozens of people were brutally killed, injured, persecuted, sentenced and put to death because of the misuse of this infamous blasphemy law.

And the clerics and religious zealots are speaking in favour of this law, saying that in Islam there is only death penalty for such people. Please permit me to write a few lines to prove that this is not according to the Quran. This law is totally against Islamic teaching. The Holy Quran mentions nowhere that the punishment for blasphemy is death, nor even a lesser punishment. I admit that the religious clerics and zealots have misinterpreted the teachings.

I believe that respect is a basic human right for all, and religious personalities deserve even more respect from their followers and even from others; and to disrespect those noble personalities is really a grave crime. But, there is no worldly punishment mentioned, not at all. Nor did the prophet Muhammad punish anyone who blasphemed him during his time.

I thus appeal to such forces that let us build bridges, let us promote tolerance, harmony, love, respect and brotherhood in every part of the world and let us promote and establish the human dignity.

Laiq Ahmed Atif is President Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta amjmalta@gmail.com

http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=121989

Muslim leader praises British spirit of tolerance

Muslim leader praises British spirit of tolerance‏

On Saturday 26th March 2011 the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, spoke at length upon the issue of achieving global peace whilst delivering the keynote address at the 8th Annual Peace symposium of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat UK, held at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden. The event attracted an audience of over 1,000, including Government Ministers, MPs, senior Foreign Embassy officials and members of the British armed forces. During the event the 2nd Ahmadiyya Peace Prize was presented to Abdul Sattar Eidhi, the founder of the Eidhi Foundation, in recognition of his continued efforts in terms of social welfare and humanitarian relief. The award was accepted by Mr. Eidhi via a video message due to him being otherwise engaged in facilitating the relief efforts for the Japan earthquake victims.

Siobhain McDonagh, MP for Mitcham and Morden, quoted a verse of the Holy Qur’an which advocates justice and fair dealing in all circumstances. She said that justice and tolerance were fundamental to a peaceful society. Lord Eric Avebury who last year won the inaugural Ahmadiyya Peace Prize for his continued efforts to promote human rights across the world said that the root cause of all the recent conflict in the world was intolerance. He said that existing UN mechanisms required reform and that he felt that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat was very well placed to play a key role in that process. Ed Davey, MP for Surbiton and Kingston and Minister for Employment Relations, paid tribute to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat for ‘championing the cause of peace of peace worldwide’. He said that the Jamaat’s motto of ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’ was a truly inspiring message.

During his keynote address Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad spoke about the causes underpinning the current political turmoil sweeping through many Arab and North African countries; about Britain’s long term pursuit of tolerance and justice; the failure of the United Nations to fulfill its mandate, the restrictions placed upon Muslims in certain countries and the continued peaceful reaction of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in the face of the bitterest persecution.

During his keynote address Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad spoke about the causes underpinning the current political turmoil sweeping through many Arab and North African countries; about Britain’s long term pursuit of tolerance and justice; the failure of the United Nations to fulfil its mandate, the restrictions placed upon Muslims in certain countries and the continued peaceful reaction of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in the face of the bitterest persecution.

Ahmadiyya Organised Peace Conference 2011

Laiq Ahmed Atif, president Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta with H.E Dr Eddie Fenech Adami, Former Prime Miniser & President Emeritus of Malta

(From L To R) Rev. Joseph Farrugia, Hon. Dr Owen Bonnici MP and Shadow Minister, Mr. Abdullah Wagishauser Amir Jamaat Germany, H.E Dr Eddie Fenech Adami President Emeritus of Malta, Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad Ayaz and Mrs. Meena Vaswani.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta organised “Peace Conference” on 25^th February, at the Grand Hotel Excelsior, Floriana. In this gathering H.E Dr Eddie Fenech Adami, President Emeritus of Malta; Hon. Dr Owen Bonnici, MP and Shadow Minister; Rev. Dr Joseph Farrugia, lecturer at University of Malta; Mrs. Meena Vaswani, lecturer on Hinduism and culture and Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad Ayaz O.B.E, Head of the Tuvalu Islands Mission in the UK, and Senator of the World Nations Congress delivered their talks on the importance of peace and how to establish peace in our societies. Audience also put their questions to the speakers. Nearly 80 people, from different sections of the society attended this very interesting, informative and important meeting.

Ahmadiyya Community organises such meetings all around the world. The aim of these gatherings is to know more about the opinions of each other, and thus a better atmosphere of love, peace, harmony and understanding is developed.

Respecting human dignity and freedom

The Times: Saturday, 12th March 2011

Laiq Ahmed Atif, President Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta

All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.

Liberty is a prerogative of every single human being and it is considered one of the most cherished fruits of human life. Man in all ages and times remained fond of his liberty and freedom but, very amazingly, man is not ready to give this right to his fellow beings.

When we ponder over the contemporary situation of today’s world we find that two very important and crucial slogans are influencing the entire world. Their intensity and connotations may differ from one part to another but their influence is seen on every part of this planet. These two slogans have attracted the attention of all the world media and they are liberty and emancipation.

With the passage of time and civilisation, no doubt, man has gained greater awareness and consciousness in the importance and value of liberty and freedom. Man has become more sensitive and knowledgeable about the price and cost of his freedom and he knows how important his liberty is.

It is an undeniable reality of this age that there is a pressing need felt everywhere in the world for emancipation but from what? Is it from the yoke of foreign rule, dictatorship, fascism, theocratic or other regimes with totalitarian philosophies, oppressive democracies and corrupt bureaucracies, the economic stranglehold of the poor countries by the rich, ignorance, superstition or fetishism?

The recent days are great witness of this reality, where we have seen huge tsunamis of people in the streets holding placards with these slogans. But the question is: Why is all this happening?

When human beings are deprived of their basic human rights, when human dignity is not honoured, when people are not allowed to express themselves, when citizens of a country have no authority to have their own opinion, when human liberty and freedom of speech is dishonoured and when people are forced to obey and to bend their heads, when people’s voices are ignored, when people’s sufferings are not eliminated, when people face physical, mental and emotional oppression and when, instead of the rule of law, “might is right” prevails, the result is that these circumstances and challenges could create huge storms and bring great revolutions.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights assures freedom and liberty to every human being. Articles 18 to 20 of this declaration state: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

“Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. (2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association.”

I believe freedom and liberty are basic human rights and there is no exception for anyone. So, these rights should be honoured and respected. Liberty and freedom of speech and expression are vital to make the voice of people heard as well as to restore human dignity. This time requires us to show solidarity with people and to condemn every sort of violence and bloodshed of innocent men, women and children while they are struggling for their human liberty and freedom.

And we all must remember that swords can win territories but not hearts and force can bend heads but not minds. And to win hearts it is important to respect human dignity and liberty.

It is my fervent prayer that all mankind enjoys its freedom and liberty; may we all find everlasting peace and may good prevail on this planet.

amjmalta@gmail.com

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110312/opinion/respecting-human-dignity-and-freedom

L-OMM – International Women’s Day

Kull sena fit-8 ta’ Marzu niċċelebraw “Jum Internazzjonali tan-nisa” u f’Mejju niċċelebraw “Jum l-omm”. Dawn ijiem huma importanti ħafna għax jfakkruna dwar l-importanza u d-dinjità tal-mara fis-soċjetà.

Nemmen li n-nisa jistħoqilhom rispett kbir, għax il-mara hija l-omm, il-mara hija l-bint, il-mara hija l-oħt kif ukoll mart ir-raġel. Kull relazzjoni hija tant sabiħa u ta’ rispett kbir. Illum irrid nikteb xi ħaġa dwar mara bħala l-omm.

L-omm hija l-iktar persuna importanti fil-familja. L-omm hija barka kbira minn Alla, li jista’ kollox. L-omm hija bniedma tajba, sabiħa, sinċiera u l-aħjar fost in-nisa. Meta ngħinu lil ommijietna nistgħu nġibu l-imħabba ta’ Alla tagħna. Kulħadd jista’ jikseb il-ferħ ta’ Alla u l-Ġenna Tiegħu billi jirrispetta lil ommu.

Meta nħarsu dwar ir-reliġjonijiet u s-soċjetajiet ċivili, nindunaw li kull wieħed minnhom ta importanza kbira għar-rispett lejn l-omm. Alla jgħid fil-Koran Imqaddes:

“L-amar tagħna lill-bniedem huwa li juri tjubija mal-ġenituri tiegħu, ommu ġarritu bi tbatija, u wellditu bi tbatija; jinġarr (fi ħdan ommu) u jinfatam fi żmien tletin xahar.” (46:16)

Il-Bibbja Mqaddsa tgħallem: “Weġġaħ ‘il missierek u ‘l ommok, bħalma l-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, ordnalek; sabiex tgħix ħajja twila, u jkollok ir-riżq fl-art li l-Mulej, Alla tiegħek, se jagħtik.” (Id-Dewteronomju: 5:16)

“Weġġaħ ‘il missierek u ‘l ommok, u ħobb lil għajrek bħalek innifsek.” (San Mattew: 19:19)

Wara dan it-tagħlim ċar tar-reliġjonijiet hija importanti li nuru rispett kbir lill-ommijietna. Darba waħda f’kull sena jiġi jum l-omm biex ifakkarna li dan hu d-dmir tagħna li nħobbu u nuru unur kbir lejn ommijietna.

Darba waħda qrajt l-istorja ta’ xi ħadd li kien raġel tajjeb, famuż u ta’ għerf kbir, taż-żmien tiegħu. L-istorja tiegħu kienet impressjonabbli ħafna. Kien dejjem iħobb u jgħin ħafna lil ommu, li kienet xiħa.

Lejla waħda ommu qaltlu għal ftit ilma. Meta ra li ma sabx ilma fid-dar, lanqas ftit, ħa l-bomblu u mar barra biex ifittex l-ilma. Wara nofs siegħa, meta wasal lura d-dar bl-ilma sab li ommu kienet rieqda. Qal bejnu u bejn ruħu, “X’nagħmel issa? Jekk norqod u ommi titlobni l-ilma u jien nibqa’ rieqed u ma nqumx biex nagħtiha l-ilma, dak ma jkunx tajjeb għax għandha ħafna għatx”. Ħaseb u ddeċieda li ma jorqodx u joqgħod bil-wieqfa ħdejn is-sodda tagħha. Hekk għamel u qagħad wieqaf tul il-lejl kollu bl-ilma ħdejha.

Meta sebaħ u qamet qaltlu: “Għaliex inti bil-wieqfa ħdejn is-sodda tiegħi?”

Hu qal l-istorja kollha lil ommu li meta riedet l-ilma ma sabx fid-dar. Qalilha: “Għalhekk mort barra biex inġiblek l-ilma u meta wasalt lura d-dar sibtek rieqda. Imlejt tazza bl-ilma u qgħadt nistenniek tqum biex nagħtik x’tixrob. U għalhekk bqajt bil-wieqfa l-lejl kollu.” Meta semgħet l-istorja kollha kienet ferħana ħafna bl-għemil tiegħi u bdiet titlob lil Alla, għall-barka Tiegħu, fuqi.

Dan hu eżempju tajjeb u impressjonabbli għalina. U jekk aħna rridu li l-ommijiet tagħna jkunu ferħanin magħna, kif ukoll Alla tagħna, li jista’ kollox, allura huwa importanti li nħobbu, ngħinu u nirrispettaw ommijietna mill-qalb tul il-ħajja tagħna. Nitlob lil Alla għall-barka Tiegħu fuq l-ommijiet kollha tagħna. Ja Alla berkilna ommijietna. Amen

Omm!… xi ħlewwa, xi tjieba ta’ isem!

Omm, il-kelma tal-faraġ fil-hemm,

Omm, il-kelma tal-ħniena fil-ħtija,

Omm, il-kelma li trażżan id-demm. (Minn “Waħdi” ta’ Dun Karm Psaila)

http://www.l-orizzont.com/ It-Tlieta 8 ta’ Marzu 2011