Ahmadiyya Muslim Community: Who are we?

The Long Island area is filled with diverse groups of people. But do we ever wonder how these groups differ from each other in behavior and tradition? New York’s melting is a blessing. And it is important that we ask each other how we are alike, how we are different and find common ground to build everlasting bonds of friendship.

I am part of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community right here in Long Island. Ahmadiyyat is a sect of Islam (a religion which mean peace and obedience). Unlike other sects of Islam, Ahmadiyyat originated in an Indian Punjab town called Qadian. Therefore, it is not a surprise that majority of Ahmadis (in America) are Pakistani (after partition between India and Pakistan in 1947) or South Asian. In this way, there are still many Muslims in Pakistan who are non-Ahmadi. However, the distinguishing raiment between Ahmadis and non- Ahmadis lies by an underlying belief: the coming of Messiah.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim community was founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in 1889. Ahmadi Muslims believe that the founder of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), foretold the coming of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as the Messiah of the time and age.

Ahmadi Muslims believes that the Promised Messiah came during the appointed time to end religious wars and condemn violence amongst the Muslims. Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad aimed to educate Muslims in neighboring towns of India the true teachings of Islam which most have forgotten. Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad would revive the true teachings of Islam by writing his profound books and poetry speaking up against any misconceptions of Islam. He even waited for opposers to challenge him. Yet, his opposers didn’t stop Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s journey in seeking God’s pleasure and reminded the people of the religion they once practiced. Furthermore, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad didn’t create a new religion or inculcate new beliefs. Rather, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad revised the message which his Divine teacher Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught the Arabians about 1,400 years ago (from 1880’s)

Around the world, there are over 200 countries consisting a ‘jamaat’ or community of Ahmadis (despite being a minority). 1The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is guided by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad who is the 5th ‘khalifa’ or caliph amongst the successors of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. Under the auspices of the Khilafat Ahmadiyya, it is reported that the Ahmadiyya Community had built over 16,000 mosques, over 500 schools, over 30 hospitals, and translated over 70 languages of the Holy Qur’an (Koran). Correspondingly, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community supports those who suffered through natural disasters by volunteers working non-profitable organization called Humanity First (coordinated by the Ahmadiyya Muslims Community)1. Also, there are 4 mosques in the New York Metro regions which are located in Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn and Long Island.

Overall, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a sect of Islam whose followers believe in that the Promised Messiah had arrived and aims to promote peace. It is profitable to notice that these ‘so called’ Muslims or terrorists are not following the true teachings of Islam. This doesn’t mean that Ahmadis are the only sect who follows the true teachings of Islam. On the other hand, we see special individuals from any religion besides Islam who are striving to spread peace. We also see non Ahmadi Muslims following the true teachings of Islam. For Muslims are united like brothers and sisters just as we are all united as mankind. Therefore, we should follow the message and moral values an individual practice from their religion rather than painting a general picture of an entire group.

Source:
1https://www.alislam.org/library/ahmadiyya-muslim-community/