On Saturday, 19th October, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, The Gambia hosted the 2nd Peace Conference Africa at the Kairaba Beach Hotel. This peace conference, the second of its kind, the first having been successfully held in Ghana in 2018, attracted over three hundred and fifty delegates from different walks of life and from different parts of the world.
Saturday’s peace conference in The Gambia was geared towards attaining and sustaining world peace and was attended by a large section of society. It attracted various dignitaries ranging from state ministers to lawmakers and religious leaders.
The keynote speech was delivered by Mr Karim Asad Ahmad Khan QC, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations and Special Adviser and Head of the Investigative Team for the United Nations for the Promotion of Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh/ISIL in Iraq (UNITAD).
He spoke at length on the theme which was The Islamic Solution to World Peace. He quoted extensively from the Holy Quran and the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at and his Successors. He highlighted the steps taught by Islam to attain world peace.
Among other speakers was Honourable Ebrima Sillah, minister of Information and Communication Infrastructure who spoke on behalf of His Excellency President Adama Barrow. He called for unity, peace and tolerance and the eschewing of religious extremism.
Another speaker, Imam Baba Leigh of Kanifing Mosque, spoke on the issue of political and religious tolerance. He called on all and sundry to endeavor to accept divergent views so that we can live in peace and harmony with each other.
The Bishop of the Anglican Church of The Gambia, The Rt Revd James Alln Yaw Odico Yaw also spoke at the occasion. He quoted from the teachings of Christ on how to spread peace through loving one’s Lord and neighbors as the way to attain peace among divergent people in the world.
The Peace Conference is an initiative of the current Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad who has since coming into office championed the cause of peace by writing to major world leaders and delivering speeches in various world capitals calling for peace and unity in the world. He has addressed the British Parliament, the EU Parliament, the Capitol Hill and other places.
The winner of this year’s Ahmadiyya Peace Prize is Dr Evan Atar Adaha or South Sudan. He has dedicated his life to serving humanity in the region.
