Voices for Peace Interfaith Iftar

On Saturday, March 30th, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (AMC), Georgia Chapter, held the Voices for Peace Interfaith Iftar event at Baitul Ata Mosque in Norcross. The purpose of the event was to promote peace and justice concerning the war between Israel and Palestine with the theme "The Establishment of Peace in the Israel-Palestine War."
Mr. Abdul Rauf Rafiq started the program with a recitation of the Holy Qur'an followed by a welcome address and an introduction to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community by Dr. Naseer Humayun.
A video clip of Peace Symposium UK 2024 was shown wherein the keynote speaker, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, leader of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, said, "The acts of Hamas on Oct 7th are completely against the teachings of Islam. At the same time, its response to Israel has also exceeded all limits by killing tens of thousands of innocent men, women, and children with millions suffering. Hospitals and schools have been devastated. More than two million people have been displaced. The food and medical supplies have run out. There is no chance of peace. Therefore, hostilities need to end on all sides with an immediate ceasefire, and they need to allow humanitarian aid to reach all in need and for a lasting peace to be secured based on absolute justice."
Mr. Danial Ahmad gave the introduction to the Voices for Peace Campaign launched by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA to end the present conflict in Gaza and establish peace and said "The world is witnessing a deeply distressing conflict in Israel and Palestine that has far-reaching implications. The nature of the attacks is gravely concerning as is the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe."
Dr. Naseer Humayun invited the representative of Hinduism, Ms. Bindu Samir, who expressed thanks for the invitation and spoke about her religion. She said, "The people who follow Hinduism have been able to embrace every new philosophy that has come into their country, India, and make it its own. Another fascinating thing about India is that many persecuted communities have come to India and found the ability to follow their faith with independence."
Rabbi Jacquie Roch introduced Judaism by mentioning that Jews talk and pray about peace. They greet each other by saying "Shalom" meaning Peace. People associate Jews with Israel, and either they don't like them or they praise them, even though others don't know about their souls.
Ms. Valerie Morvan represented Buddhism by quoting, "Buddhism is a tradition that is very different from Abrahamic faiths. In Buddhism, we work to cultivate an understanding and wisdom, and we work to cultivate compassion for all beings."
Reverend Jennie Sankey introduced herself as a Christian and thanked AMC for inviting her. She shared a tradition within her denominational church, and what the upcoming Easter holiday signifies. She later expressed that the program was insightful and she enjoyed hearing the commonalities among the five different speakers.
Hammad Ahmad, a Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and a keynote speaker at the event, said, "Peace is the absence of violence, war, and bloodshed and it means to establish a state of harmony and security." He further quoted The Holy Quran which states, "O ye who believe! be steadfast in the cause of God bearing witness and equity and let not people's enmity incite you to act otherwise than with justice. Be always just…" (5:9).
Mr Hammad continued to explain, "According to Islam the key to peace is justice." He quoted His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the current leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, who said, "The key to peace is to stop cruelty and oppression wherever it occurs with justice and equality only. When this principle is followed, global peace will develop."
Mr Hammad quoted another verse of the Holy Quran which says, "O ye who believe! be strict in observing justice and be witnesses for God even though it will be against yourself, parents or your own family…" (4:136). He explained that it means to do the right thing and not be afraid even if you have to suffer but do the right thing. That's why being a Muslim when we see other Muslims doing wrong things we stand up against them and raise our voices that you are doing wrong things. As Muslims we completely condemn ISIS. The same thing with Hamas. We completely condemn its existence and its actions. But why does it exist? It exists because some power-hungry people saw the sufferings and injustices of Palestinians. They brainwashed the people to act with injustice. It is a cycle of injustice leading to injustice. Dr Martin Luther King Jr once said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." As long as we have injustice we will have the anxiety that we are at the brink of war.
Respected Senator Sheikh Rehman said, "We need to stand up against injustice everywhere and I am optimistic about our upcoming generation. They are better than us. I am sure in future the world will be a better place."
A video clip of Peace Symposium UK 2024 was shown in which His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad said, "If we stand by and let these wars escalate further countless more innocent lives will be lost and history will judge us with contempt as the author of our destruction and misery. There is only one way to end these wars, by ensuring that justice prevails and that whatever settlements are made, are based on equity as opposed to what better serves the interest of external powers. Otherwise, there is no benefit of the United Nations or International Laws and the only rule that shall hold weight is the one that declares 'might is right'. May God enable major powers to fulfill the obligation of justice on both sides of the conflict to establish peace."
Mr. Mansoor Tahir, President of The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Georgia Chapter, thanked all the guests. Hearing directly from different faith groups brought out the fact that they all feel the need for peace to be established in Gaza. The event promoted a deeper understanding of Islam and other faiths and sought to inspire a concerted effort for lasting peace.