Media Release For public release – 26 January 2016

Annual Convention 2016 – True Islamic Caliphate

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of New Zealand has chosen Khilafat (Caliphate) as the theme for their upcoming Annual Convention to promote the true Islamic Caliphate as a divine guidance for peace and unification, not a Caliphate of destruction and terror.

Hundreds are expected to gather in Auckland to be part of the 2016 Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community this Fridayand Saturday at the Bai’tul Muqeet Mosque, 20 Dalgety Drive in Manukau. Community members, ethnic community leaders, parliamentarians and religious leaders of all faiths will be part of this Convention to better understand the message of the true Islamic Caliphate.

The National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Mr. Mohammed Iqbal said, “People are always kept informed by the media of anti-Muslim rhetoric through the actions of so-called Muslims who do not help in this regard. The self-proclaimed Caliphate of ISIS has proved to be a means of havoc and chaos in the world and poses a threat to all people. The Caliph of ISIS is the spearhead of the brutal killings, beheadings, human rights abuses and war crimes which have struck fear into almost every country in the world. What the media and the world fail to see is that there is another Community with a Caliphate which has been in this world for over 107 years; a Caliphate which is transforming this state of fear of the religion of Islam into peace and this Convention will focus on promoting these ideals”.

“The current Caliph, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, has spearheaded the community and addressed many world leaders and taken the message of peace to Capitol Hill in Washington, the European Parliament in Brussels, the Houses of Parliament in London and he even delivered an address in our Parliament in Wellington to name but a few. This is a Caliphate which is fighting the ideology of radicalised so-called Muslims; a Caliphate which is spearheading new initiatives to fight anti-Muslim rhetoric; a Caliphate which is the voice of ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’; a Caliphate which unites millions around the world at one hand; a Caliphate which imparts the true teachings of Islam; teachings of peace, love, tolerance, harmony, co-existence and service to humanity. This is the Caliphate which we follow”, said Mr. Iqbal.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community welcomes the New Zealand public to be part of this special Annual Convention on Saturday 30thJanuary between 11.00 am and 1.00 pm to learn about the true Caliphate of Islam. For registration, please contact 0800 Y ISLAM (0800 9 47526).

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international revival movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans 206 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. The New Zealand branch of this community was established in 1987 and has just over 400 members. It is a registered charitable organisation and endeavours to be an active and integrated community within New Zealand society.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.

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