Following our visit on Wednesday 17th July to Guru Nanak Dev ji Gurdwara we made our way over to the Darul Amaan Mosque in Hulme, which is a purpose-built Mosque by the Ahmadiyya community, a sect in Islam, for the second portion of our Faith Tour.
Upon our arrival we were welcomed by our guide, Marheeda, in a hall and then made our way upstairs to the men’s section of the prayer hall, where we were told of the beliefs of the Ahmadis and how the community operates and supports their members.
Marheeda shared how each year in December, the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam plan an annual meeting called Jalsah, where followers from Pakistan and abroad come together with the Khalifa and how it is considered the UK’s largest Muslim convention. Marheeda shared the power it holds and the impact it has had on her.
The Ahmadis also have a large database of all their members which they use to support each other through their educational and academic journeys as well as employment and volunteering purposes. Individuals can join the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community by signing an initiation form which consists of 10 conditions of Bai’at as compiled by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah.
Attendees were interested in learning the different beliefs Ahmadis hold compared to other Muslims. We were told that Ahmadi Muslims follow the teachings of Islam from the Holy Quran and follow the holy scriptures and teachings that other Muslims follow. However, one of the main differences from other Muslims is that they believe that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah of the latter days has arrived, and founded and established the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in 1889.
Ahmadis believe that Isa/Jesus (AS) did not die on the cross, like other Muslims believe. Rather, he died a natural death, like other human beings. Although, other Muslims are waiting for a Messiah to appear as the second advent of Jesus (AS), Ahmadi Muslims have already accepted the Messiah. They also believe in the Holy Prophet (PBUH), as the seal of the prophets. However, they believe that another prophet can come after him as a reformer.
Ahmadis get guidance from Islamic sources like the Sunnah and Hadith –practices and sayings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). They also refer to Islamic scholars for the interpretation of Islamic Laws, with guidance from the Promised Messiah.
We were also told that Ahmadis face persecution and are officially banned from entering Mecca and Medina to perform Hajj and Umrah. Hajj is the pilgrimage to the Holy Kaaba in Mecca and is one of the basic Pillars of Islam. It is mandatory for all believers to perform Hajj once in their lifetime, apart from those who have exemptions.
In Pakistan, you must sign a form if you want to perform Hajj and Umrah and on that form you are required to declare Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and Promised Messiah is a false prophet. Which, the Ahmadis would not do as this would go against their beliefs. However, Ahmadi Muslims who are dual citizens or do not carry Pakistani passports can and do go for Hajj.
After our tour we headed back downstairs for light refreshments and to meet with Imam Khursheed who answered further questions and shared how the Ahmadiyya community is actively involved in missionary work across the world and explained the work that they carry out.
At the end of the tour, we were all given a gift bag including a translated copy of the Holy Quran and other texts.
Throughout the tour we were reminded of the banner upheld by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and the message that they believe is the basis for lasting peace, which is “Love for All, Hatred for None”.
We would like to thank Marheeda and Imam Khursheed for facilitating an insightful tour of the Mosque and sharing knowledge on the practises and beliefs of the Ahmadi community and for letting us experience such a great visit.