Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to mark a momentous occasion in Islam's history - the celebration of the centenary of the establishment of its institution of Khilafat (succession)

    MAPLE, ON, May 22 /CNW/ - Thousands of members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim
Community worldwide await the celebration of a momentous occasion in the
history of Islam. On Tuesday May 27, 2008, tens of millions of Ahmadi Muslims
will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the institution
of Khilafat (succession) in their community (1908-2008). Many municipal
governments across Canada have declared May 27th to be "Khilafat Day".
Celebratory events are also being held in legislatures across Canada.
    Throughout Canada, on May 27, 2008, the members of Community will mark
this momentous occasion by gathering together to perform pre-dawn prayers to
be held at 3:30 AM, by listening to an address from the head of the worldwide
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad to be delivered live
via Community's 24 hour Global Satellite Service (MTA International), and
participating in a number of celebratory activities throughout the day.
    In the Greater Toronto Area, families will gather at the Baitul Islam
Mosque in Maple, Ontario where additional marquees have been erected to
accommodate 10,000 members. The festivities, to be held over a five-day period
commencing on Friday, May 23, 2008, will include various community activities
and events, including competitions for children and adults, fundraising for
charities, as well as devotional remembrance and prayer sessions.
    "Children, adults and seniors have all taken a voluntary day-off from
their schools, universities and employment to participate in these
celebrations. The excitement is visible as each family prepares to engage in a
full day of prayers and demonstrations of gratitude to God, as well as for
social community gatherings and various activities for children's learning and
enjoyment," said Naseem Mahdi, Senior Vice President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim
Community in Canada.
    "The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has a system of leadership in its
Khilafat that successfully unites the tens of millions of Ahmadi Muslims
spread across the world. It is this leadership that teaches us how to maintain
and to live in accordance with our motto of 'Love for All, Hatred for None'.
The Ahmadiyya Khilafat and its vision for peace is the only hope for Muslims
in this world," said Lal Khan Malik, the President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim
Community in Canada.
    Mr. Malik added, "Our unblemished history is evidence that the Ahmadiyya
Muslim Community continues to exist in accordance with the teachings of its
Founder, who demonstrated, making direct reference to the Holy Qur'an and the
life of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him),
that Islam is a peaceful and peace-loving religion. Based on the Qur'anic
injunction "There is no compulsion in matters of faith" (2:257), the Founder
of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community denounced the extremist and violent
interpretations of jihad (holy struggle) well over a century ago, long before
it became fashionable to do so after the atrocities committed on September 11,
2001."
    In addition to advocating a non-violent interpretation of jihad, the
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community promotes patriotism and allegiance to the country
of one's citizenship on the basis that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) taught that, "the love of your country is a
part of your faith."
    The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been repeatedly praised and honoured
for its generosity and philanthropy, particularly in the poorest regions of
the world, as well as for facilitating and encouraging peaceful and
constructive interfaith dialogue and understanding throughout the world.
    Later this summer, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Canada will be
inaugurating its new mosque in Calgary, Alberta. When inaugurated, this mosque
will be Canada's largest.

    The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was founded under divine guidance in 1889
by Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India, the Promised
Messiah and Mahdi whose advent was foretold by the Holy Qur'an and by the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). In his famous
book "Al-Wasiyyat" (The Will), Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad prophecied that,
after his passing away, his community would behold God's second earthly
manifestation (the first earthly manifestation being prophethood) which would
be akin to the Khilafat which was established after the passing away of the
Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) which saw
Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddiq elected as the first Khalifa of Islam. Indeed, on
May 27, 1908, Hadrat Maulvi Nooruddin was elected as the first Khalifa of the
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and, presently, Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad is the
Khalifa.
    The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is established in almost 190 countries and
its membership is numbered in the tens of millions.

    Members of press and media are cordially invited to visit the community
at 10610 Jane Street, Maple, Ontario, on May 24, May 25 and May 27, 2008.

For further information: on the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Canada visit:
www.ahmadiyya.ca or www.alislam.org; Media Contact: Farhan Khokhar, Director -
Communications, (416) 716-2247, fkhokhar@Ahmadiyya.ca