God is the only true source of everlasting peace!

Laiq Ahmed Atif, president Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta was interviewed by Mr. Ivan Bartolo during his programme “Stenbaħ” on Friday 3rd February 2012.

Parents a role model for their children I Laiq Ahmed Atif

“The mother’s lap is the first school for every child”. And in fact, it is the woman as mother who is the moulder of the moral values of her child. It is considered that the child’s first knowledge of moral values and behaviour patterns is learnt from his mother, and as a child is fully dependant on mother and sees the way she acts, thus the love, care, education and responsibilities she teaches her child and the values modes that are incorporated within the family form the personality and character of the child.

However, the role of a father in upbringing of a child is not less important than mother. And for the better future of a child the role of both parents is highly essential and important and both the parents should set positive and valuable examples for their children.

Every parent wants their children to be successful people, to be outstanding people in society, to have a good job and a better life. And it is also true that almost all children, regardless of their age, pick parents as their number one role model. So see, how important is it for the parents to lead by examples and become a real role model for their children.

Research has found that the best adjusted children, particularly in terms of social competence, have parents with an authoritative, moderate parenting style. These parents are able to balance clearly stated, high demands with emotional responsiveness and respect for their child's autonomy. And children with disturbed and troubled family life are more likely to involve in crimes and drugs and they do not have the capabilities to compete and contribute positively in society.

This reminds me of a joke which clearly shows that how parents set examples to their children and how children learn and form themselves while seeing their parents. It is not only a joke but also a very sad and painful reality which may make some people laugh yet move some others to tears. However, the aim is to show that parent’s attitude has a great influence on their children.

Once a child observed with much pain and unease the ill-treatment of his grandfather at the hands of his father and that left a great impact on him. The grandfather was gradually transferred from a well-provided and comfortable main bedroom to a smaller and less convenient accommodation until it was finally decided to remove the grandfather to the servant's quarters. During an exceptionally severe winter, the grandfather complained of his room being too chilly and his quilt being too thin to make him feel warm and comfortable. The father started looking for an extra blanket from a stock of old, useless rags and finally found him an old and mended blanket.

This left a great impact on child’s memory and he also started storing old things in a bag. One day his father saw him and asked the reason why he is storing these old cloths and mended blankets etc in a bag?

The child replied that a few days ago you gave similar old and mended blanket to your old and retired father when he was in need. So, I thought that I should also store some old items so can also provide you from these old cloths etc when you will be in need at your old and retired age.

This innocent expression of a child shows clearly that parents set examples for their children. So, for a great generation, parents must set positive and the best possible examples.

Love is a great instrument and weapon: Laiq Ahmed Atif

“Affection and kinship can change a bitter enemy into a warm and loyal friend” - Laiq Ahmed Atif

: Saturday, January 7, 2012

The English sayings that time and tide wait for no man and that time flies accurately and perfectly apply as we look back at 2011. It was almost yesterday that celebrations were held all around the world to welcome 2011. People were praying for peace, wishing each other the very best and a better new year.

Of course, we will not be incorrect if we describe 2011 as a remarkable year, full of news, good and bad, and leaving unforgettable marks on the history of mankind. A lot has been written on this and I would not like to repeat what has already been said, so I will attempt to sum up this year very briefly.

It has been a year of struggle for the sake of freedom, human rights and democracy. On one side, we have seen people in their hundreds of thousands protesting and thousands among them gave their lives for their rights, dignity and freedom.

On the other hand, some rulers were seen fighting to prolong their era of denial of human rights, of disrespect to the sentiments and voices of their own people and of iron fist rule.

There were also natural disasters. A powerful earthquake in Japan led many towns and villages to disappear from the surface of the earth. New Zealand and Turkey were also rocked by earthquakes.

Pakistan recorded heavy rains and the worst floods in history affecting more than eight million people. Thailand too experienced floods

The economic crisis led to protests in a number of countries, including Greece and Italy.

There were terrorist attacks in Nigeria, Iraq and elsewhere. The US military killed the world’s most wanted man, Osama Bin Laden.

In Norway, a lonely gunman wrought death and destruction.

Arab countries were the theatre of popular revolutions.

But there was good news too, like, the wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, surely, one of the most beautiful and joyful moments of the year.

The history of man is filled with ups and downs, happiness and sadness, enmity and friendship, hatred and love. There is no doubt that both good desires and bad temptations always remained with humans. However, true love and affection has always proved itself the best and most powerful instrument and weapon in the history of human beings. Affection and kinship can change a bitter enemy into a warm and loyal friend, a friendship and relationship that sees no boundaries and would be ready to take all the necessary measures to help and support others.

While writing this piece, the story of two prisoners in India came to mind. Their ideologies and actions were extremely different but the kind and loving attitude of the young man towards the other, who was older, changed the latter completely.

I would like to quote his words when he was won by the young man. He expressed himself with such beautiful and remarkable words that are really so precious. He said: “I understood that love between two human beings is more powerful than the hatred between two communities.”

I believe that to be so true. We witnessed the great spirit of love and solidarity between human beings on Boxing Day during L-Istrina.

Despite the prevailing worrying political and economic situations and the negativity dominating the world news, Malta has once again proved that, whatever the circumstances, whatever the crisis, “the love between two human beings is more powerful than the hatred between two communities”. In just one day, the Maltese donated €2.6 million to charity, demonstrating their unique values of generosity and solidarity. That works out to more than €6 per person and more than €20 per family, which is really remarkable and wonderful.

Malta’s generosity and solidarity is not only recognised at national level but also on the international plane. A worldwide study ranks Malta first among 153 countries when it comes to giving money to charity, with 83 per cent of the population saying they had donated cash the previous month.

This is no surprise. However, Malta should be proud of it. And I believe that as long as such goodwill and human values remain alive, Malta will always flourish and no one can stop its success and progress.

Long live Malta, long live humanity.

I hope and pray that 2012 will be a year of love and brotherhood so that the love between human beings prevails over any kind of enmity and aggression and we will be able to hear the voices of love for all in every corner of this planet. The world at large can thus become a haven of peace. For, indeed, love and true sympathy are the very antidotes of terrorism and serve as an effective weapon and an instrument for the establishment of peace.

I wish to all readers, the editor and the staff of The Times the best wishes for the New Year.

The author is president of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta.

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Unity of God and Islam

Some time ago, during a discussion with friend, we came to know of a woman from Australia, who’s sole mission was to unite all mankind at one point. I asked him that does she believe in a single entity, the central focus of the universe, – the Almighty God. If not, then how can she bring together and unite the entire humanity at one single point. Because unity requires a unit, an absolute single central point, extreme oneness, where mankind can be united, and that central unit is the Almighty God. As whole human body depends on its central unit – the heart, the entire mankind depends on the Unity and Oneness of God.

Can a state run when there is more than one leader? Can a human body function with more than one heart? Can a country have more than one capital city? Absolutely not, and any such system cannot be successful and will be a massive disaster. Similarly, there cannot be more than one central point that can unite people besides God Almighty. That is a philosophy and extreme reality that Islam presents when it speaks about the existence, absolute Unity and Oneness of God. The Holy Quran says:

If there had been in them (the heavens and the earth) other gods besides Allah, then surely both would have gone to ruin. Glorified then be Allah, the Lord of the Throne, above what they attribute. (21:23)

Read full article on: http://ahmadiyyamalta.org/2012/01/03/unity-of-god-and-islam-%E2%94%82laiq-ahmed-atif/

A very Blessed and Prosperous Festive Season!

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta would like to wish you all a very Blessed and Happy Festive Season.

May joy, love, happiness and peace be with you all during this festive season and always.

God bless you forever!

Jihad against Extremism and Oppression

The Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in India concluded on 28^th December in Qadian with a powerful and faith inspiring address by the World Head of the community, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, who addressed the event from the Baitul Futuh Mosque in London via satellite. The Jalsa attracted over 17,000 people from around the world in Qadian, whilst over 4,000 gathered in London for the concluding session.

Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad began his address by reminding the audience that the conventions held by the Ahmadiyya community were distinguished from others, because they were exclusively designed to enhance the religious and spiritual development of those who took part.

He said that this year thousands of Ahmadi Muslims from Pakistan had travelled for the event in an effort to lessen the sense of deprivation they felt due to the fact that Ahmadi Muslims were not permitted to host such conventions in Pakistan due to the anti-Ahmadiyya laws that continued to exist.

His Holiness spoke repeatedly about the state of the world, which he said stood on the brink of disaster and destruction due to the lack of justice and equality within society. He said that at such a crucial time, it was the task of Ahmadi Muslims throughout the world to guide mankind towards salvation. He said:

“Today it is the responsibility of every Ahmadi Muslim to protect the world from destruction. This is because we have pledged allegiance to the Promised Messiah, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (peace be upon him) and by doing so we have sworn that we will always strive for the betterment of all humanity.”

His Holiness continued by saying that the Muslim world was today ravaged by sectarianism and internal discord. Only the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat could claim to be united and this unity was derived through its system of Khilafat.

His Holiness reminded the audience that the well-being of the future was being put at risk by the jealousies of today. The unjust policies and practices of world powers were fuelling extremism and terrorism. In this regard His Holiness said:

“True peace and true justice cannot be found anywhere in the world today. Instead worldly desires have increased beyond all limits. The wealth of others is looked at with envy and jealousy by people and by governments. In today’s world governments claim that they are fighting wars for the sake of peace and to save mankind from cruelty. Such claims are totally wrong and deceitful. The aims of such governments are simply to serve their own vested interests and to capture the wealth of other nations. Thus in the name of justice the blood of mankind is being spilled and in reaction to such injustice more and more terrorist groups are emerging.”

The Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat also used his address to counsel against all forms of extremism. He said that any form of extremism had to be outlawed, otherwise the consequences would be grave.

Referring to India specifically, he said that even though the country claimed to be secular, some Muslim extremists had penetrated the country and were already poisoning the society with their acts. He said that the Ahmadi Muslims of India were already being targeted and that the extremists were trying to influence the government to stop the peaceful and humanitarian activities of the Ahmadiyya community in India.

In response to such opposition, His Holiness said:

“Ahmadi Muslims can never, and will never, stop worshipping the One God and following the practice of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). However I say to those who believe in justice and equality, that if you yield to the extremists for the sake of apparent political benefit then your country will no doubt become immersed in strife. If you allow such groups to spread then it will lead to nothing but a moral decline.”

His Holiness concluded by saying that there remained hope and this hope was based upon the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) which were of peace, brotherhood and mutual love. To achieve these aims, throughout his life the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) made sacrifice after sacrifice and in this era it is the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat who continue to follow in his footsteps. His Holiness said that all Ahmadi Muslims must therefore understand their responsibilities.

His Holiness said:

“Is it enough for us to simply call ourselves Ahmadi Muslims? Will this be enough to develop peace in the world? No! To achieve peace we must first understand the pain that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) felt for all of mankind. Our every act and our every effort should be towards ending all forms of cruelty. By developing true justice we must do Jihad against cruelty itself. Our Jihad will not be conducted by any weapons or might but simply through our prayers for all of humanity. This is the only way that peace and love can develop in society.”

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Ahmadiyya Malta contributes in L-Istrina 2011

Laiq Ahmad Atif, President Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta presented a donation of 500 Euro to His Excellency Dr. George Abela, the President of Malta, in L-Istrina 2011, on 26th December. Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat is always willing to extend its support for those in need. The Messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat says: “MY DESIRED OBJECTIVE IS TO SERVE MANKIND”. To know more about L-Istrina and Malta Community Chest Fund, please log on: http://maltacommunitychestfund.org/

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Ahmadiyya Malta condemns attacks on churches in Nigeria

A string of bombs struck churches in five Nigerian cities on Sunday, leaving dozens dead and wounded on Christmas day – a time of celebration and religious activities; a very special day for all the Christians around the world.

The blasts mark the second holiday season that bombs have hit Christian houses of worship in the West African nation. These acts of violence and hatred against innocent citizens are provocative and inhuman.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Malta strongly rejects, and unreservedly and categorically condemns such violent attacks on Churches – the places of worship, in Nigeria.

The community said that these are no doubt, inhuman, heinous and cruel attacks, which should be condemned at every level. 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”.

“We believe that, in this age, when certain powers, organisations and ideologies are engaged in destroying peace and when ill-feelings against each other are being sparked unnecessarily and walls of hatred are being erected in every part of the world and at every level possible, the objective of caring for the sentiments of each other, respecting other faiths, showing mutual tolerance and harmony and interreligious cooperation is all the more important. “

The Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Laiq Ahmed Atif calls all the people to exhibit their kindness to one another, to show love and affection and for renewing ties of brotherhood and kinship so that peace in the best possible manner can be established in our societies. He also says:

“There is no religion in the world – be it Islam, or Christianity, or Hinduism or for that matter any other faith – that advocates the destruction of peace. Each person likes peace and hates disorder. Every heart is inclined towards good deeds and every good-natured person wants the peace should be established in the world. Everyone is restless in attaining this objective of peace.”

The community expressed their deepest condolences to the victims’ families in this difficult time and pray for the health of those who were injured in this attack.

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