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

Peace Conference 2011

Peace is one of the most cherished fruit of life. The love towards peace is ingrained in human nature. Since the beginning of life on this earth human beings have been struggling and have been very keen to find the path to eternal and everlasting peace.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is organising a peace conference on 25^th February, where speakers from different sections of society and religious representatives of various denominations will deliver talks on the factors destroying peace, importance of peace and how to establish peace in society.

You are cordially invited to

Programme

Friday 25^th February 2011, 6.00pm

Venue: Grand Hotel Excelsior – Floriana

Dr. Eddie Fenech Adami: The President Emeritus and the Former Prime Minister of Malta

Hon. Evarist Bartolo: MP and Shadow Minister for Education

Fr. Joseph Farrugia: Lecturer at University of Malta

Mrs. Meena Vaswani: Lecturer on Hinduism and culture

Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad Ayaz (O.B.E): (Officer of the Excellent Order of the British Empire) Head of the Tuvalu Islands Mission in the UK, and Senator of the World Nations Congress

Question & Answers

Refreshment

The Event is free, open to all, and will be in English. Those interested should contact on amjmalta@gmail.com OR call 79320139.

Id-Dinjità Umana tan-Nisa

Illum, il-Ħadd 6 ta’ Frar 2011

Kull bniedem għandu d-dinjità tiegħu, u kull persuna fid-dinja irrispettivament il-kulur, ir-razza, in-nazzjonalità u l-fidi, iħobb il-libertà u d-dinjità umana tagħha. Huwa importanti li l-kunċett tal-umanità u r-rispett għal-libertà individwali jiġi msaħħaħ. Pero, meta nħarsu lejn l-istorja tal-bniedem insibu li dejjem kien hemm il-konflitti għall-libertà bejn dawk li jixtiequ jgħixu fil-libertà kollha u bejn dawk li ma jridux jirrispettaw il-libertà umana. Naraw ukoll li kulħadd iħobb u jixtieq id-dinjità u r-rispett għalih innifsu, imma hemm numru ta’ nies mhux ħażin li m’humiex lesti biex jirrispettaw id-dinjità tal-oħrajn.

Din il-problema tidher ukoll bejn in-nisa u l-irġiel; il-persuni li huma miżżewġin. Hemm nies li jemmnu li l-mara hija l-propjetà tar-raġel, jew jemmnu li r-raġel huwa superjuri għall-mara. Imma, fil-verità, l-irġiel, in-nisa u l-bnedmin kollha ta’ kull razza huma ndaqs quddiem Alla u huma biss l-għemejjel tajba li jgħollu persuna ’l fuq minn oħra, u m’hemmx spazju għall-esplojtazzjoni soċjali, politika, ekonomika jew reliġjuża.

U naraw kemm hemm nuqqas kbir ta’ rispett u ta’ toleranza bejniethom u minħabba dan, kull sena naraw li ħafna nisa jiġu maqtula, jew jiġu abbużati u jgħaddu minn esperjenzi koroh ta’ vjolenza domestika, madwar id-dinja. Il-vjolenza domestika hija problema serja ħafna madwar id-dinja, hija tikser id-drijttijiet fundamentali tal-mara. L-istatistiċi juru li waħda minn kull tliet nisa fid-dinja esperjenzat abbuż sesswali, fiżiku, emozzjonali jew xi forma ta’ abbuż ieħor fil-ħajja tagħha.

Ħafna drabi nisimgħu l-frażi li “ladies first – in-nisa l-ewwel”, din hija frażi sabiħa, imma kemm hemm nies li jipprattikaw din f’ħajjithom. Sfortunatament, u din hija r-realtà u ma nistgħux naħarbu minnha, kemm-il darba naraw u nisimgħu kif din ma tiġix prattikata, fejn in-nisa jiġu ttratti fl-aħħar u xi kultant b’insult.

Ħafna drabi aħna ninsew l-importanza tar-rispett lejn in-nisa. Nemmen li dan hu dmir tal-irġiel biex jittrattaw lin-nisa tagħhom mill-aħjar li jistgħu u jgħixu magħhom bit-tjieba. U ma jinsewx li, jekk jobogħduhom, jistgħu jkunu qed jobogħdu xi ħaġa li Alla qiegħed fiha ġid kbir. U wkoll ma jinsewx li jekk ma jogħġobhomx xi ħaġa fihom, possibbilment hemm affraijiet minn tagħhom li jogħġbuhom. Għalhekk huwa importanti li dejjem naraw il-kwalitajiet tajba bejnietna.

Nemmen ukoll 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.

Nemmen ħafna u jien ċert li jekk kull wieħed u kull waħda minna jipprova jgħix bil-valuri t-tajba, nistgħu nistabbilxxu relazzjonijiet sodi bejn il-mara u r-raġel. U kif ngħidu: ‘dak li tiżra taħsad’, jekk niżrgħu ż-żrieragħ tal-imħabba u nistabbilixxu l-bond tar-rispett u tat-toleranza bejn il-mara u r-raġel, allura nistgħu neliminaw il-vjolenza domestika.

https://newspaper.maltatoday.com.mt/list_mt/illum

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:

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