Diżastri Naturali fl-2010

It-Torċa, il-Ħadd 6 ta’ Frar 2011

Meta ma rajniex diżastri naturali? Imma l-2010 kienet l-agħar sena fis-snin riċenti rigward id-diżastri naturali. U rajna traġediji kbar u ħorox matul is-sena fejn minħabba għargħar, terremoti, vulkani, nirien u karestiji mietu eluf ta’ nies u miljuni sofrew minn problemi oħra skont iċ-ċirkostanzi.

Fl-2010, total ta’ 295,000 mietu minħabba diżastri naturali madwar id-dinja u l-ħsara ekonomika kienet tammonta għal madwar 130 billjun dollaru.

Fil-bidu tas-sena, ftit jiem biss wara li spiċċaw iċ-ċelebrazzjonijiet tas-sena l-ġdida, rajna l-agħar terremot fil-Ħaiti fejn mietu 222,570 persuna f’daqqa waħda u miljuni oħra sofrew mill-konsegwenzi ħarxa li ħalla warajh it-terremot. U iktar minn miljun u nofs ruħ spiċċaw bla saqaf fuq rashom. Din it-traġedja kienet waħda mill-akbar f’dan l-aħħar seklu. Ħafna nies mietu minħabba mard differenti li nfirex wara din it-traġedja.

Ftit ġmigħat wara din id-disgrazzja, terremot ieħor laqat il-pajjiż Sud Amerikan taċ-Ċili, fis-27 ta’ Frar, u iktar minn elf persuna ġiet maqtula. Fir-Russja, mietu eluf kbar ta’ nies minħabba s-sħana u nirien fil-foresti.

Il-Pakistan, sofra wieħed mill-agħar għargħar fil-istorja tal-pajjiż. Fil-fatt, il-Ġnus Maqgħuda sa anke fissret dan l-għargħar bħala għargħar eqqel minn dak tat-Tsunami. F’dan l-għargħar mietu 1,760 ruħ u aktar minn għoxrin miljun sofrew mill-konsegwenzi li ġabet magħha din id-disgrazzja xejn mistennija. U l-ħsara ekonomika wkoll kienet ta’ miljuni ta’ dollari. Eluf ta’ djar ġew meqruda u sal-lum, eluf ta’ nies jinsabu mingħajr kenn għalihom u għal familthom.

L-erużjonijiet tal-vulkani Iżlandiċi f’April, kienu fost l-akbar problemi li s-sena 2010 kellha tħabbat wiċċha magħhom, fejn sħab iswed ikkawżat mill-erużjonijiet, kesa partijiet mill-Ewropa u eluf ta’ titjiriet ġew imħassra u b’dan jikkaġuna kaos fl-ivvjaġġar għal għexieren ta’ eluf ta’ passiġġieri. Il-ħsara finanzjarja kienet tammonta għal miljuni ta’ dollari. U x-xita qawwija li laqtet partijiet mill-Kolombja u kkawżat għargħar fatali kmieni f’Diċembru li ħataf il-ħajja ta’ mijiet ta’ nies sfortunati tassew.

Fost it-traġedji naturali, kien hemm ukoll terremot fiċ-Ċina li qatel 2,700 persuna, u 1,470 oħra ġew maqtula minn għargħar fiċ-Ċina stess. F’Settembru, kien hemm terremot fin-New Zealand u f’Ottubru kien hemm terremot ieħor fl-Indonesja li qatel 113-il persuna, kif ukoll terremot fi New York.

Minn fost id-950 diżastru naturali li ġie rrekordjat matul is-sena li għaddiet, hawnhekk rajna ftit li ħakmu d-dinja tagħna. Tajjeb ninnutaw, li dawn id-diżastri dehru kważi f’kull kontinent ta’ din il-pjaneta li baxxiet rasha quddiem din il-qerda naturali.

http://www.it-torca.com/news.asp?newsitemid=11040

In death but still full of life

The Times www.timesofmalta.com : Friday, 28th January 2011

Laiq Ahmed Atif, president, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Ta’ Xbiex

Life is a great gift of God, it is beautiful and priceless. Life is a name of challenges, efforts, competitions and struggles. Life is full of ups and downs. Death is also as true a reality as life on this planet. One day or the other, every soul shall taste of death. Death is an undeniable reality, and it spares no one and knows no boundaries.

Abraham Lincoln said: “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years”. Annabelle Vassallo, who passed away on January 24, was a real picture of this saying.

Despite the fact that she lived a very short life, it was full of hope and inspiration for others and it can be said that her life in years counted a lot.

Annabelle is a symbol of great courage; she was suffering from a severe disease but she never gave up; she looked into the eyes of death with great courage and boldness. She always had a smile on her face, and despite passing through a very difficult time, she always said that life was so beautiful and priceless. She gave the message through her life that despite the hardships, one can still enjoy life.

According to a saying of Aristotle, “All human actions have one or more of these seven causes: chance, nature, compulsion, habit, reason, passion, and desire”. The life of Annabelle was full of reason, passion and desire. Especially the last few years of her life were a great reflection of these qualities. She did not live for herself but she extended the lesson of how to live, how to enjoy, how to struggle and how to be hopeful to the whole nation. I have a great admiration for her, the way she lived and the way she battled with her death.

In an interview she once said: “I see death running after me every day”. But she didn’t give up and she didn’t stop. She was a symbol of hope for those who destroy their lives by their own hands; her life is a great message for them. She gave the message of courage, livelihood, friendship and happiness.

There is also a great lesson in her life for those who are passing through such hard times and traumas; she is a beacon of hope for many people suffering from harsh diseases and her life is an inspirational instrument for them.

In the end I would like to quote Aristotle again: “Happiness is an expression of the soul in considered actions”. I believe that the life of Annabelle was full of these expressions of happiness and she spread smiles on the faces of others.

May she rest in peace in eternal life. We extend our heartiest condolences to her family and dear ones.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110128/letters/in-death-but-still-full-of-life

Sagri, Huma Kollha Sagri!

http://www.it-torca.com/

Meta nistudjaw reliġjonijiet differenti naraw li hemm ħafna affarijiet komuni bejniethom; fosthom huwa t-talb u l-qima lil Alla, li jista’ kollox – il-Ħallieq tal-univers tagħna. Kull reliġjon, ikun xi jkun, jenfasizza ħafna dwar il-qima. U jekk nidħlu fid-dettall insibu li bla talb u qima lil Alla – il-Ħanin, reliġjon ma tkunx reliġjon vera; għax il-qima lill-Ħallieq hija l-pillastru bażiku tar-reliġjonijiet kollha.

Id-differenza hija biss, il-mod ta’ qima. Xi wħud jitolbu bilwieqfa u xi wħud jitolbu bilqiegħda. Xi wħud jitolbu għarrkopptejhom u xi wħud ibaxxu rashom b’tislima. Xi wħud jieqfu quddiem l Alla b’idejhom marbuta u xi wħud b’idejhom miftuħa.

It-tempji, is-sinagogi, il-knejjes u l-moskej huma l-bini li qed jiġu mibnija bi iskop għat-talb u l-qima. Il-Lhud jitolbu fis-sinagogi, l-Insara fil-knejjes u l-Musulmani fil-moskej. Dawn huma l-postijiet li jssejħu differenti imma l-iskop huwa komuni u dak huwa l-qima lill-Ħallieq. Kull post tat-talb huwa sagru u qaddis, għalhekk kull post tassew jistħoqqlu rispett u unur.

Imma, sfortunatament naraw nuqqas rapidu fir-rispett lejn dawn il-postijiet sagri. Hemm nies li jaħsbu li r-rispett lejn il-postijiet reliġjużi tagħhom huwa biżejjed u ma għandhomx il-ħtieġa li juru l-unur u r-rispett lejn il-postijiet tar-reliġjonijiet l-oħra. Jien, bla dubju ta’ xejn, nemmen li kull post sagru, ikun xi jkun, huwa jistħoqqlu r-rispett u l-unur. U dan huwa d-dover tagħna, ta’ kull persuna, li tirrispetta l-postijiet sagri irrispettivament id-denominazzjoni tagħhom.

Hemm ukoll xi pajjiżi Musulmani li ma jippermettux il-bini tal-knejjes f’pajjiżhom. Dan huwa verament kontra t-tagħlim Iżlamiku: “Mhemmx sfurzar fir-reliġijon.” (2:257) “Intom għandkom ir-reliġjon tagħkom, u jien għandi r-reliġjon tiegħi” (109:7)

Dan ifisser li ħadd ma għandu dritt li jisforza oħrajn sabiex jemmnu l-idea reliġjużi tiegħu. Kull wieħed għandu l-libertà li jagħżel, jemmen u jipprattika r-reliġjon li jixtieq. Dan jirreferi wkoll għad-dritt fundamentali li kull persuna għandha biex tibni maqdes skont il-fidi tagħha.

Bi sfortuna kbira, naraw ukoll attakki fuq il-postijiet reliġjużi f’xi pajjiżi. Fil-ġranet riċenti rajna attakki fuq il-knejjes fil-pajjiżi Musulmani. F’Settembru li għadda kien hemm attakk fuq knisja fl-Indoneżja, kif ukoll knisja f’-Mardan, fil-Pakistan ġiet attakkata. F’Novembru kien hemm attakki ħorox ħafna fuq knisja fl-Iraq fejn 58 persuna ġew maqtula.

Aħna nikkundannaw dawn l-attakki kollha. Dawn l-attakki kienu kontra t-tagħlim Koraniku u l-Iżlam ma jipprovdi l-ebda ġustifikazzjoni dwar dawn l-attakki ħorox. Imma, għall-kuntrarju l-Iżlam jgħallem lill-Musulmani biex jirrispettaw u jassiguraw il-postijiet reliġjużi ta’ kull reliġjon, u dan huwa d-dover ta’ kull Musulman kif ukoll ta’ kull pajjiż li jħaddan l-Iżlam. Il-Koran Imqaddes semma li dan huwa d-dmir tal-Musulmani biex jassiguraw is-sinagogi u l-knejjes jekk jiġu attakkati qabel jiddefendu l-moskej tagħhom. Alla jgħid fil-Koran:

“Dawk li tkeċċew minn djarhom inġustament għaliex stqarrew: ‘Sidna huwa Alla!’ U li kieku Alla ma tefax lura xi nies bil-għajnuna ta’ nies oħra kieku tabilħaqq kienu jiġġarrfu kunventi (sħaħ) knejjes, sinagogi u moskej li fihom jissemma u jitfakkar ħafna Isem Alla.” (22:41)

Dan il-vers juru biċ-ċar li meta l-Musulmani ġew mogħtija l-permess għall-ġlied difensiv dan sar sabiex ikunu jistħgu jipproteġu l-postijiet reliġjużi, per eżempju s-sinagogi, il-knejjes u l-moskej.

Fiċ-Charter indirizzata lill-Insara li jgħixu bħala ċittadini fil-pajjiżi Musulmani, il-Fundatur tal-Iżlam enfasizza li l-knejjes qatt ma jiġu attakkai. U f’ħajtu, qatt ma kien hemm post reliġjuż wieħed li ġie attakka.

Jien nemmen li l-bniedem għandu d-dritt li jemmen fir-reliġjon li jixtieq, u nemmen li huwa importanti li nirrispettaw lil xulxin u l-libertà reliġjuża tagħna. Dan se jkun pass pożittiv biex nistabbilixxu l-paċi u l-armonija bejnietna.

Ahmadiyya Condemns attack on Coptic Church

Today the world is riddled with problems; East to West, North to South, everywhere there are countless troubles and difficulties; in brief, every part of this planet is surrounded with huge discomfort. Human beings are suffering through poverty, fighting, killing, unrest, disorder, as well as with social and economical crisis. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, rains, famine, lack of food, etc. are also seen in large numbers and on a huge scale.

But, unfortunately, and very amazingly, for man who is already riddled with endless problems, there are certain powers, certain organisations, and certain groups of people who are building walls of hatred. And these walls are getting higher nowadays, even more now than ever before in the history of mankind. The world cannot afford more uncertainties. But, very unfortunately there are the enemies of humanity, who are always trying to shed the blood of innocent human beings; even the worshipers of God the Almighty are not secure from the attacks of these cruel and blood-thirsty people.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat strongly rejects, and unreservedly condemns the attack on Coptic Church in Egypt, killing at least 21 and wounding 79 other worshipers. This is no doubt, an inhuman, heinous and cruel attack, which should be condemned. The Ahmadiyya Community condemns the attack in strongest terms, and demands the authorities to bring the culprits in front of justice as soon as possible.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is a peace loving community, which believes in love, respect, tolerance, harmony and brotherhood. It respects the sentiments of the believers of all the faiths. And believes that all mankind is like a family and it can only look after the peace and security of each member, only if it lives like a close-knit family. The apparent differences in mankind are only for identification as to who is European, who is Asian and who is African. As humans we are all the same and therefore a person in Africa has the same sentiments as those of a person in Europe or America or a person living anywhere else in the world. Peace and security can only prevail when each other's sentiments are cared for.

It believes that all Muslims are commanded to honour human dignity and have been made to promise that they will help to defend the followers of other faiths from unjust and cruel attacks as well, and it is the duty of the governments to provide security to the people of all the faiths living under their rule. For example, in his charter for all time to come addressed to all Christians living as citizens under Muslim rule, the Holy Founder of Islam, states:

“I promise that any monk or wayfarer who will seek my help on the mountains, in forests, deserts or habitations, or in places of worship, I will repel his enemies with my friends and helpers, with all my relatives and with all those who profess to follow me and will defend them, because they are my covenant.

And I will defend the covenanted against the persecution, injury and embarrassment of their enemies in lieu of the poll tax they have promised to pay. If they prefer to defend their properties and persons themselves, they will be allowed to do so and will not be put to any inconvenience on that account.

No bishop will be expelled from his bishopric, no monk from his monastery, no priest from his place of worship, and no pilgrim will be detained in his pilgrimage.

None of their churches and other places of worship will be desolated or destroyed or demolished. No material of their churches will be used to build mosques or houses for the Muslims; any Muslim doing so will be regarded as recalcitrant to Allah and His Prophet.

Every help shall be given them in the repair of their churches. They shall be absolved of wearing arms. They shall be protected by the Muslims. Let this document not be disobeyed till Judgment Day.”

We, the members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat express our deepest condolences to the victims' families in this difficult time and pray for the health of those who were injured in this attack. And we hope for swift action against the perpetrators of this heinous, inhuman and barbaric act. And we pray to God the Almighty that He makes this world a haven of peace, tolerance, harmony, liberty and universal brotherhood. Ammen.

Importance of tolerance

The Sunday Times: 26th December 2010

Laiq Ahmed Atif, president Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta

In an age where the electronic media has drawn us closer together into what is called a global village, or a global society, its benefits will only be felt when mutual goodness prevails, when mutual respect and understanding prevail.

If, instead of good feelings, hatred emerges, if restlessness usurps heartfelt peace, then we must accept that this is not progress, but is something that will take us towards unexpected results.

In this globalisation, where people of different backgrounds, cultures and religions are living together, and where the world has become multicultural and full of diversity, establishing tolerance and harmony has become very crucial and important, and fostering mutual love and affection has become vital.

Without tolerance and harmony the lasting peace of societies cannot be maintained, and loyalty for each other cannot be established.

Loyalty is borne from feelings of love and affection. At a personal level the feelings of love strengthens the feelings of loyalty. When a citizen loves his country, he exhibits loyalty and devotion and makes sacrifices for the sake of the nation.

If sentiments of love do not exist, then the spirit of sacrifice cannot be formed. Unless a person loves another he can never have good feelings in his heart towards him, and he cannot faithfully fulfil the rights due to that person.

Lack of tolerance leads to fighting, violence, and finally it destroys the peace and security of society. When people fail in their arguments they become intolerant, and then they use force and aggression to support their point of view.

We have seen considerable incidents in recent history where, because of lack of tolerance, people have attacked people of other faiths, their places of worship, their communities. How nice it would be if everyone tries to express himself in a decent and respectful way with tolerance.

The world is full of diversity, and that is the beauty of our universe. If there had not been any diversity, the world would appear boring and unattractive, and without any competition.

The worldwide celebration of the International Day for Tolerance was an annual observance declared by Unesco in 1995 to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance, and to help people understand the importance of tolerance.

The annual celebration of this day reminds us how important and crucial these values are. And it does not mean that we only observe tolerance on this day, but this day is just a reminder, so we carry on these values throughout the year.

The word tolerance means the willingness to accept or to tolerate, especially opinions or behaviour you may not agree with, or to behave sensibly with those who are not like you. It means showing respect for the race, gender, opinions, religion and ideologies of other people or groups, and to admire the good qualities and good work of others. And to express one’s point of view in a decent and respectful way while respecting the sentiments of others.

Tolerance can be shown in many ways, on different occasions and at different times. A person might fully disagree with others on any issue, from religion to politics, while at the same time honouring and respecting those with different ideas and opinions and treating them with full dignity and honour.

Tolerance is needed in all spheres of life, and on every level and on every stage, because it plays a vital role to establish peace and love, from the smallest unit up to the highest unit of society.

Tolerance does not mean that only one person or party shows tolerance and the others do not. When some people disagree on a certain issue they must advocate and express their opinion in a respectful manner, and hateful and provocative words should not be used. Tolerance must be shown from both sides on issues, in order for it to be effective.

Here, let it be clear that showing respect and tolerance to the opinions of others does not necessarily mean you have to compromise your principles or embrace or accept others’ ideas. It is simply a matter of fundamental human rights.

The right of every human being that his sensibilities and sentiments shall not be violated and offended must be recognised. And every human person has the right to have an opinion and to express it.

amjmalta@gmail.com http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101226/opinion/importance-of-tolerance

Islamic society condemns anti-Christmas campaign

www.di-ve.com

Islamic society Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta has condemned the launch of a poster campaign by some fanatic Muslims from a banned Islamic hate group in UK, against Christmas.

The society said that the nationwide poster campaign denouncing Christmas as evil was a most provocative act and would achieve nothing but to cause distress and anger to millions of peace-loving persons worldwide.

“Showing disrespect to any religious event or occasion is a horrific act and is directly contrary to the teachings of all the world's major religions,” it said in a statement.

“These actions are not a service to humanity or to any religion, but they will surely destroy the peace, tranquility and serenity of the world. We have to show great respect to all the religions, whatever the name is.”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said it rejected and condemned all acts and forms of disrespect and insult towards other religions, their teachings and their events and celebrations, unreservedly and totally, because it is its deeply rooted belief that not only Islam but no true religion, whatever its name, can permit disrespect or insult towards others.

“This is not a time to sow the seed of hatred, malice, disrespect and intolerance because they will ultimately destroy the peace of our societies and will create disorder on this beautiful planet. But, please, let us sow the seeds of love, harmony, tolerance and universal brotherhood, because these values will grow fruitful trees and gardens of peace, tranquility and serenity for the whole mankind. And let us spread the message of love for all, hatred for none.”

http://www.di-ve.com/Default.aspx?ID=72&Action=1&NewsId=79774&newscategory=31

Muslims in Malta condemn anti-Christmas poster campaign

The Times of Malta: www.timesofmalta.com

A poster campaign against Christmas in the UK has been condemned by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta.

In a statement, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta said it very strongly condemned the campaign by a fanatic Muslim from a banned Islamic hate group.

The fanatics have launched a nationwide poster campaign denouncing Christmas as evil.

It described the campaign as “a most provocative act” that would only cause distress and anger to millions of peace-loving persons worldwide.

“Showing disrespect to any religious event or occasion is a horrific act and is directly contrary to the teachings of all the world's major religions.”

Such actions, it said, were not a service to humanity or to any religion, but would destroy the peace, tranquility and serenity of the world.

“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which is a peace loving community, rejects and condemns all acts and forms of disrespect and insult towards other religions, their teachings and their events and celebrations, unreservedly and totally, because it is our deeply rooted belief that not only Islam but no true religion, whatever its name, can permit disrespect or insult towards others.

“The Ahmadiyya community very boldly and loudly, without any fear, speaks against these acts of hatred.”

It wished all Christians a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101224/local/muslims-in-malta-condemn-anti-christmas-poster-campaign

Hate Crimes against a Peace Loving Community

Hate crimes against Ahmadi Muslims being investigated

Channel 4 news UK 2010-12-06 17:36:16

Watch a 6 minute video clip by Channel 4 News by clicking on the link:

For more click here

Flimkien kollox hu possibbli

Meta nħarsu lejn l-istorja tal-umanità nsibu li l-bnedmin dejjem kienu fit-tiftixa tal-paċi li tibqa’ għal dejjem. Il-bnedmin kellhom għatx kbir għall-paċi. Fil-qosor, il-paċi baqgħet maħbuba tan-nies ta’ kull età, f’kull żmien u ta’ kull pajjiż tad-dinja.

Aħna ngħixu f’dinja ta’ kompetizzjoni u ta’ għira. Ngħixu f’dinja fejn inċertezzi li qed jikbru kuljum iħassbuna dwar l-istat ta’ paċi fid-dinja. Nemmen, u jien konvint tassew, li dan huwa messaġġ universali, tkun liema tkun ir-reliġjon, ir-razza, in-nazzjonalità jew il-kulur tiegħek.

Illum il-ġurnata s-suġġett tal-paċi u s-sigurtà huwa importanti daqs kemm kien mijiet u eluf ta’ snin ilu. F’dan iż-żmien meta l-bniedem sar iktar ċiviliżat u rċieva ħafna barkiet ta’ Alla, għandna nkunu l-bnedmin tal-paċi. Imma, sfortunatament naraw li hemm ħafna demm tal-bnedmin li qed jixtered madwar id-dinja. Il-bniedem għandu l-għatx tad-demm ta’ ħuh. Hemm nies li qed joqtlu l-ġirien tagħhom, hemm nies li qed ixerrdu d-demm tan-nies ta’ pajjiżhom. Fil-qosor, hemm nuqqas kbir ta’ rispett u ta’ paċi fid-dinja.

Meta naqraw l-istorja tal-bniedem, naraw li sa mill-bidu tal-ħolqien il-bnedmin fuq l-art, Alla bagħat ħafna għalliema reliġjużi, profeti u messaġġiera Tiegħu għall-gwida tal-umanità. U kull wieħed minnhom li kien mibgħut minn Alla ġab il-messaġġ tal-paċi, tas-sigurtà, tal-armonija u tal-imħabba.

Dawn l-għalliema reliġjużi magħżulin minn Alla, li ntbagħtu mis-sema biex jirriformaw l-umanità u jistabbilixxu għaqda ma’ Alla – il-Ħallieq, dejjem ħadmu u talbu biex jagħmlu d-dinja kenn ta’ paċi u l-bnedmin isiru verament il-bnedmin tal-paċi; l-iktar li jħobbu lil Alla u l-iktar li jixtiequ l-paċi lill-oħrajn.

Il-Kotba Mqaddsa kollha għandhom il-messaġġ ċar tal-paċi u tal-imħabba. Fil-Bibbja Mqaddsa naqraw: “Henjin dawk li jġibu l-paċi, għax huma jissejħu wlied Alla. Henjin dawk li huma ppersegwitati minħabba s-sewwa, għax tagħhom hija s-Saltna tas-Smewwiet. Henjin intom, meta jgħajrukom u jippersegwitawkom u jaqilgħu kull xorta ta’ ħażen u gideb kontra tagħkom minħabba fija.” (San Mattew: 5:9-11)

Fil-Koran imqaddes Alla jgħid: “Alla jmexxi lejn it-toroq tal-paċi u tas-sliem lil dawk li jħabirku biex jogħġbu lilu, u bir-rieda Tiegħu joħroġhom mid-dlamijiet lejn id-dawl u jmexxihom lejn triq is-sewwa.” (5:17)

“Ma hemmx ġid f’ħafna konferenzi tagħhom, ħlief ta’ dak li jamar il-karità, jew l-għemil it-tajjeb, jew il-paċi bejn in-nies. Min jagħmel hekk, bix-xewqa li jogħġob lil Alla, se nagħtuh ħlas mill-kbar.” (4:115)

Dawn il-versi juru biċ-ċar li kemm hu sabiħ li naħdmu għall-paċi bejn in-nies, u nwasslu l-messaġġ ta’ paċi lil kulħadd. Dan huwa għemil tajjeb ħafna u għandu ħlas kbir mingħand Alla. Alla jħobb il-paċi, għalhekk jgħid li se jagħti ħlas kbir lil dawk li jħobbu u jipprattikaw il-paċi bejniethom.

Jekk inħarsu lejn is-sitwazzjoni tad-dinja nsibu li d-dinja għandha l-bżonn tal-paċi, tal-imħabba u tal-ħbiberija. Id-dinja trid it-tmiem tal-gwerer. Minflok il-ħitan tal-mibegħda għandna l-bżonn tal-pontijiet li jgħaqqdu, għandna bżonn li l-paċi tostor il-ħażen u dak kollu mnissel minnu, u għal dan biex isir, in-nies ta’ fidi, ta’ kulur, ta’ razza u ta’ nazzjonalità differenti għandhom jingħaqdu flimkien.

Jiena nemmen li aħna bħala bnedmin, jekk nixtiequ, nistgħu nistabbilixxu l-paċi f’soċjetajiet tagħna kif ukoll fid-dinja kollha. Ejjew naħdmu billejl u binhar sabiex nagħmlu d-dinja kenn ta’ paċi. Nemmen u jien konvint tassew li, flimkien kollox hu possibbli.

[Il-Mument: Il-Ħadd 21 ta' Novembru 2010]

Peace Conference 2011

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta is organising its 2^nd Peace Conference on 25^th February 2011, at Excelsior Hotel Floriana, at 6.00pm.

It will be an inter-religious event, where representatives from different denominations will deliver their talks. Also two Honourable MPs will also deliver their talk in the event.

The event is open to all, and will be in English, in the end there will be Q & A session. Refreshment will be offered to all the attendees.

For more information please contact amjmalta@gmail.com ; 79320139.

Thanks and looking forward for the wonderful event “Peace Conference”.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat community in Malta condemns attack on Baghdad church

The Times of Malta : Friday, 5th November 2010

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat community in Malta has strongly condemned the attack on a Baghdad church by extremists on Sunday.

The attack resulted in the death of 58 Christian worshipers, including three priests.

The Ahmadiyya Community said it believed in the Quranic teaching of freedom of faith and worship that: “There should be no compulsion in religion”.

It believed in human dignity and condemned killing for any reason whatsoever - there is no place in Islam for violence, it said adding that Islam strongly establishes freedom of belief and worship and urged protection of places of worship of all faiths.

The community said Muslims were commanded to honour human dignity, and in the early times of Islam when Muslims were given permission for defensive wars, it was forbidden to kill religious leaders – priests or rabbis – in their respective places of worship, and to attack and demolish places of worship.

Muslims were made to promise that they would also help defend the followers of other faiths from unjust and cruel attacks.

“As members of the Ahmadiyya Community, we call on all Muslims to follow the example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) and work to live in harmony with our non-Muslim brothers and sisters.

“We, the members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat express our condolences to the victims' families in this difficult time and hope for swift action against the perpetrators of this heinous, inhuman and barbaric act.

“And we pray to God the Almighty that He makes this world a haven of peace, tolerance, harmony, liberty and universal brotherhood,” they said.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20101105/local/ahmadiyya-muslim-jamaat-community-in-malta-condemns-attack-on-baghdad-church

Ahmadiyya condemns attack on church in Iraq

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat strongly condemns the attack on a Baghdad church by extremists on Sunday, which resulted in the death of 58 Christian worshipers, including three priests. The Ahmadiyya Community condemns the attack with strongest terms.

The Ahmadiyya Community believes in the Quranic teaching of freedom of faith and worship that: “There should be no compulsion in religion”. It believes in human dignity and condemns their killing for any reason whatsoever; there is no place in Islam for violence. Islam strongly establishes freedom of belief and worship and urges protection of places of worship of all faiths. God the Almighty says:

“Whosoever killed a person — unless it be for killing a person or for creating disorder in the land — it shall be as if he had killed all mankind; and whoso gave life to one, it shall be as if he had given life to all mankind.” (5:33)

This is the clear teaching that the unlawful killing or the shedding of innocent blood of someone is like the killing of the entire human race, that is to say, the taking of a single life is like the massacre of thousands of innocent lives. Now, everyone can very well imagine what kind of sentence would be passed on someone who is found guilty of the taking of thousands of innocent lives. So this is the beautiful teaching given to us by God, and whosoever acts against this, acts against the teachings of God – the Creator.

Muslims are commanded to honour human dignity, and in the early times of Islam when Muslims were given permission for defensive wars, it was forbidden to kill religious leaders – priests or rabbis – in their respective places of worship, and to attack and demolish places of worship. Muslims have been made to promise that they will help defend the followers of other faiths from unjust and cruel attacks as well. For example, in his charter for all time to come addressed to all Christians living as citizens under Muslim rule, the Holy Founder of Islam, states:

“I promise that any monk or wayfarer who will seek my help on the mountains, in forests, deserts or habitations, or in places of worship, I will repel his enemies with my friends and helpers, with all my relatives and with all those who profess to follow me and will defend them, because they are my covenant.

And I will defend the covenanted against the persecution, injury and embarrassment of their enemies in lieu of the poll tax they have promised to pay. If they prefer to defend their properties and persons themselves, they will be allowed to do so and will not be put to any inconvenience on that account.

No bishop will be expelled from his bishopric, no monk from his monastery, no priest from his place of worship, and no pilgrim will be detained in his pilgrimage.

None of their churches and other places of worship will be desolated or destroyed or demolished. No material of their churches will be used to build mosques or houses for the Muslims; any Muslim doing so will be regarded as recalcitrant to Allah and His Prophet.

Every help shall be given them in the repair of their churches. They shall be absolved of wearing arms. They shall be protected by the Muslims. Let this document not be disobeyed till Judgment Day.”

As members of the Ahmadiyya Community, we call on all Muslims to follow the example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) and work to live in harmony with our non-Muslim brothers and sisters.

We, the members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat express my condolences to the victims' families in this difficult time and hope for swift action against the perpetrators of this heinous, inhuman and barbaric act. And we pray to God the Almighty that He makes this world a haven of peace, tolerance, harmony, liberty and universal brotherhood. Ammen.

Ahmadis are loyal to their countries

“Religious extremism has no place in society”

-Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad the Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Community

The Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad has repeated his call for Muslims the world over to show loyalty to their respective countries. In a speech delivered before thousands of Ahmadi Muslims in London he said that love and loyalty to one’s country was a fundamental principle of Islam. His Holiness also spoke with regret about the widespread problems faced by Pakistan. He said the fundamental cause for its current state was a failure to maintain a separation of religion and State. In particular, extremist elements had permeated all segments of society.

Speaking about the current situation in Pakistan, His Holiness said that every day there was news of killings, protests and strife. The entire country had become engulfed in discord. He said that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat had always counselled the Pakistani leaders to maintain a distance from extremist elements. However out of a fear of losing their grip on power the majority of leaders had failed to heed such warnings and had involved themselves with various forms of negotiation and deals with the extremist religious right. He said that any system that bowed down to such religious elements was bound to fail and lead to turmoil and despair.

It was the duty of every Ahmadi Muslim to profess love to his chosen country. Each Ahmadi Muslim had an obligation towards working for a better future for his country and his fellow citizens. Citing Pakistan as an example he said Ahmadis were treated as inferior citizens and had suffered the most barbaric cruelty, however this had never stopped them from being utterly loyal to the nation. He said that Pakistan had been founded upon the sacrifice of thousands of lives and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat would always do its utmost to make sure that those lost lives were not taken in vain. He said:

“As citizens of any country, we Ahmadi Muslims will always show absolute love and loyalty to the State. Every Ahmadi Muslim has a desire for his chosen country to excel and should always endeavour towards this objective. Whenever a country requires its citizens to make sacrifices the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat will always be ready to bear such sacrifices for the sake of the nation.”

His Holiness continued:

“We feel pain and distress when any nation suffers and we share the grief and pain of others. Thus whenever any country faces difficulty we try our utmost to alleviate their suffering. That is what the founder of Islam, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, taught us. It was the Holy Prophet who counselled that you should put your own pain to one side in an effort to alleviate the suffering of all of mankind. It is thus that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is involved in spreading humility, love and kindness.”