In Pakistan, tensions are much higher. They are subject to harassment and even extremist violence, such as in when scores were killed in a Lahore explosion. Carleton University professor emeritus Antonio R. Ahmadi leaders frequently invite politicians to their events. Through such well-publicized open forums on themes such as suffering, goodness or human rights, the Ahmadi often attract Canadian newcomers unfamiliar with the different schools of Islam.
Chaudhry, who moved to B. In his chapter in Asian Religions in B. This involves quite modern, evangelical methods. Given such strained religious relationships, some Canadians have questioned why the prime minister would announce the Office of Religious Freedom in Ahmadiyya headquarters.
However, Wahid and Chaudhry take such criticism in stride. People have different expressions of love and delight and of what makes them happiest. For this couple, it was that they could watch His Holiness passing by with their own eyes. I was also fortunate to be in the company of His Holiness when various dignitaries came to meet him.
I was especially impressed by their humility when they were in his presence. Ahmadis have a different type of love and respect for Hazrat Khalifatul Masih aba , however while an Ahmadi would expect non-Ahmadis and non-Muslims to show respect, they would not assume that they would be as spiritually affected in his presence as Ahmadis.
However, I noticed that being in his presence had a special effect even on the non-Muslims. They were truly humbled and appeared to be in awe. I cannot properly express myself to you.
I have never had such feelings before in the company of anyone else. I noticed that all the dignitaries, Ministers of Government, MPs and mayors would be extremely courteous and very respectful in his company. When they spoke to His Holiness, it was as if they too were members of the Ahmadiyya Community.
Whenever His Holiness met any dignitary, he would speak to him or her according to his or her interests and field and impart advice accordingly. For example, one MP had been a minister of immigration. While she was discussing issues of immigration, His Holiness pointed out that an overly liberal policy towards immigration for a country such as Canada would be misused and could lead to the kind of lawlessness that had been experienced by other countries.
He advised that the Department of Immigration should be vigilant that the peace of Canada was not disturbed as a result of a liberal immigration policy.
Furthermore, I observed also that whatever subject His Holiness spoke on, his advice would always be with reference to the teachings of Islam. In all, His Holiness, the current worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, has graced Canada with visits on four occasions: in , , in the Khilafat Jubilee year of and then most recently in Being servants of humanity, here in Canada we take every opportunity to serve the wider society.
In the last Run more than runners and walkers participated, from various walks of life. The number of participants is increasing every year. The event has been positively acknowledged by all, as a very positive contribution to the City of Vaughan. This hospital will benefit the community at large, of which Ahmadis are only a very small fraction.
Another key contribution to the wider society is the unique platform we provide for interfaith dialogue. We hold regular interfaith events in which scholars of different religions are invited to speak on a topic of common interest.
They present the beauties of their respective faiths. We believe this is a significant contribution towards bringing peace between the various communities, living in Canada. We have been holding the World Religions Conference for the past 32 years and it has now become the largest and longest running multi-faith conference of its kind in Canada.
Furthermore, every year, July 1 st marks Canada Day. No other religious community celebrates it with as much fervour as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
While Canada is certainly not immune to xenophobia, it has provided a home for Muslims and other minorities that is by far safer than many other western countries. By the s, immigration had skyrocketed, particularly due to an influx of refugees. Individuals and families were coming from all over in search of better opportunities and security not available in their countries of origin.
With such a dramatic increase in different cultures, the country experienced a religious shift. While Christianity—and all its denominations—is still the dominant religion today, it is now only practiced by 55 percent of the adult population. This is still a staggering number, however, when compared to the 8. With 1. Muslims are people who practice Islam. The first Muslims in the Great White North can be traced back to the s, when one family made their home in Upper Canada.
Over the next hundred years, the Muslim population slowly continued to increase. This number did not truly spike until the s and 80s, in part due to the Immigration Act of which lifted some of the restrictions on immigration from non-European countries.
They believe in the Promised Messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as of Qadian, who founded this community in , which now has members in over countries, totalling an estimated 20 million. Their appointed leader is in succession to the Messiah. This community is also one of the leading communities who condemn terrorism.
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as had reiterated that God will safeguard Muslims though Khilafat, the spiritual institution of successorship to prophethood.
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