The root cause of conflicts in today's world have been put down to an "unquenchable thirst for power" rather than religion.
These were the words that echoed through the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden, south London, where more than 1,000 people had gathered for a National Peace Symposium.
Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, in Hounslow, along with councillors Hanif Khan, Ruth Cadbury, Amrit Mann, and religious leaders from local churches, mosques and Gurdwara were among those at the event themed 'Religion, Freedom and Peace' on Saturday (March 14).
Caliph of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Worldwide, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, warned of the potential global impact of youth radicalisation and condemned terrorist groups such as ISIS as acting completely against the teachings of Islam.
He quoted verses from the Holy Quran that refuted all forms of extremism and deemed the January 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris as "horrifying".
Mr Ahmad said: “In terms of the reaction of world leaders to terrorism it has been pleasing to see that certain politicians and religious figures have chosen not to add fuel to the fire but have instead made it clear that they do not believe that any terrorist group represents the true teachings of Islam," adding: "we seek to inform others that Islam’s teachings have no link with the violence and disorder witnessed in the world.”
Special guest Professor Heiner Bielefeldt, UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, also spoke at the event, and there were messages of support from Prime Minister David Cameron, deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Leader of the House of Commons William Hague.
Justine Greening MP and Secretary of State for international development said: “His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad is a tireless advocate for peace in a conflict-ridden world... The way the Ahmadi Muslims reach out to the wider community is exemplary and so I place great value on my relationship with the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.”
During the peace gathering, 'mother of orphans', India's Sindhutai Sapkal was presented with the Ahmadiyya Muslim prize for the Advancement of Peace in recognition of her outstanding efforts to alleviate the suffering of more than 1400 orphaned children by providing them with food, shelter and education.
Mrs Sakpal said: “The difficulties I faced when I was young have enabled me to do something good with my life and so I hope to be remembered as a person who helped those who were in need."
