The so-called superpowers have failed wretchedly in establishing a just and humane social order that takes the welfare of humanity into consideration and therefore build institutions aimed at safeguarding the interest of the man in the street. There is a lot of discontent and this is leading to strife all over the world. To list down the types of unrests in the world currently seems to not only inexhaustible but largely unnecessary as it is very well-known already.
As a result of this lack of clear and focused leadership, people are now trying to establish their own forms of leadership to run their affairs in a better way. The Boko Haram in Nigeria, Isis in Iraq and Syria and so many others see their way of life as the one that will bring benefits to humanity. The world is now embroiled in the never-ending argument of the absurdity of such leadership movements. The world sees these movements and others of the same ilk as evil incarnate that has to be dealt with forthwith. Perhaps the detractors are justified in some respect in their opposition to those who claim to be ushering in a new world order in this way. The fallacy of these movements is in their callous disregard for human life. Beheading of journalists and humanitarian workers on the internet viewed by millions of people from all over the world is a bad way of beginning a world order, to say the least.
But that is not the point or the aim of this article. The point is that the glaring failure of the world bodies and the so-called superpowers has spurred people to look for leadership elsewhere. The truth though is that there is a peaceful leadership movement in the world which has been working tirelessly towards uniting humankind under one banner through love, tolerance and peaceful persuasion. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is that organization which is working towards the betterment of humankind for the last century. The motto of this holy movement is, ‘Love for ALL, Hatred for None. This is based on the universal teachings of the Holy Founder of Islam (peace be upon him). It has established itself firmly in the world despite serious persecution, prosecution antagonisms in many parts of the world. The community has endured and continuous to endure countless and untold suffering at the hands of its opponents but still manages to convey, both in theory and practice, its motto of, Love for All, Hatred for None.
This should not be taken as proselytising for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community but an effort to make sense of the chaos in the world at present. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, based on the universal teachings of Islam offers the solution to the present lack of leadership in the world. Having, as we believe, a divinely guided khalifa who champions the cause of peace and tolerance all over the world, the Community also pays keen interest to the socio-economic development of the masses, particularly in the third world countries. The current Khalifa, Mirza Masroor Ahmad (May Allah strengthen his hand) has spoken in all the major cities of the world. He has delivered an address in the House of Commons in London, United Kingdom, in the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium, in the United States Congress in Washington and numerous other places. The theme of all these addresses has been the need for absolute justice and the establishment of world peace. In addition to that, he has addressed letters to the Pope in Rome, to the presidents of Iran, Russia, France, the United States of America, the Queen of the United Kingdom, the German Chancellor, the King of Saudi Arabia and countless other world leaders on the same issue.
Furthermore, the community believes in the Qur’anic teaching that: It is provided for thee that thou will not hunger therein nor will thou be naked and that thou will not thirst therein nor will thou be exposed to the sun. (20:119-120) and that is why it makes sustainable efforts for the betterment of the masses. For this reason, the community focuses mainly on education, knowing that this is where true prosperity lies. In the third world countries, the community has established hundreds of schools all over the world. In The Gambia, it is an open secret that the Ahmadiyya schools are some of the best in terms of academics and moral training. Take Nusrat Senior Secondary School for example, in the past two decades or more, the school has produced better results and in larger numbers than any other in the country. Only last year, the school introduced the milestone online registration and management for the first time in The Gambia. Now parents can register their children at the click of a button, so to speak! Nusrat leads and others follow, this is what makes the school a pacesetter in academics in this country.
Moreover, the community has established hospitals all over the world. In The Gambia, the Community has a clinic in Basse and formerly in Farafenni and of course, the main Ahmadiyya Hospital and Dental Clinic in Tallinding Kunjang. The unique thing about these hospitals is that they also offer free treatment to impecunious people. Additionally, the community offers free treatment camps in homeopathy from time to time. Humanity First also feeds numerous families throughout the year all over the count
In the area of agriculture, the community offers advice and assistance to thousands of farmers all over the world. Furthermore, the community embarks on tree planting exercises every now and then. Last year, the community planted about five thousand trees in The Gambia and countless others in other parts of the world. The community also does a lot of work in the provision of clean and potable water supply by digging wells or renovating old ones. It also provides hand pumps for ease of access to water supply. Under Humanity First International, the community provides cheap and affordable Information Technology Courses in various parts of the country and the world at large. Humanity First also sponsors hundreds of students in all the senior secondary schools and also in the tertiary institutions including the University of The Gambia.
Most importantly, the community inculcates Islamic morals in the society through peaceful persuasion both in this country and all others in the world under the leadership of the Khalifa of the time who should actually be considered the true khalifa of Islam in the world today. I therefore humbly invite you, dear reader, to the true khilafat or leadership in the world today. Go past the common bigotry and study with an open mind the teachings of this divine community and you will acquiesce that it is the true representative of our Holy Master, Muhammad, the Acme of Creation (May peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). This is the true leadership that the world needs today. And it is only a matter of time before it will be recognised as the only viable leadership in the world today. Our motto as always is, love for all hatred for none!
Musa Bah is a poet and the author of several books. He teaches English at Nusrat Senior Secondary School.
]]>
