ISSUE
Friday, August 1, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 70
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of New Zealand’s Silver Jubilee celebration, held recently at the Mt. Eden War Memorial Hall, Auckland, was graced by community leaders, guests and politicians from all parties, including Richard Prosser of New Zealand First Party.
Mr Prosser recently raised the ire of Muslims in New Zealand throughout the world by making comments about the community in a magazine article. He later apologized for his outburst.
In the speeches delivered by local leaders, the community was praised for their work in promoting peace and religious tolerance in New Zealand and around the world. Chief guest David Rutherford, chief human rights commissioner, congratulated the community’s work of promoting peace and interfaith dialogue in New Zealand and globally.
Mr Rutherford said it was important to acknowledge the Ahmadiyya community “because nothing in the world changes unless there are organisations like you, especially when there are situations like in Christchurch...”
Labour MP Phil Goff said “What really appealed to me about the Ahmadiyya community was their belief in a harmonious and tolerant relationship between peoples”.
He also went on to acknowledge the persecution of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan which was of deep concern that people are being persecuted on the basis of their belief.
National president of the Ahmadiyya Community in New Zealand, Mohammed Iqbal in his opening address said “Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the leading Islamic
organization to categorically reject terrorism or oppression in any form”.
“Over a century ago, Ahmad(as) declared that an aggressive ‘jihad by the sword’ has no place in Islam,” Mr Iqbal said.
“In its place, he taught his followers to wage a bloodless, peaceful and intellectual “jihad of the pen” to defend Islam. As part of its effort to revive Islam, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues to spread Ahmad’s (as) teachings of moderation and restraint in the face of bitter opposition from parts of the Muslim world.”
Mr Iqbal expounded on the 25-year achievement of the community in New Zealand from spreading the message of peace to restoring the livelihood of New Zealanders affected during the tragic moments in Christchurch and Pike River mine.
“The secret of the community’s success was our total obedience to the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw, his ardent promised reformer, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and his successors,” Mr Iqbal said.
“Over a century ago, Ahmad(as) reminded his followers of God’s promise to safeguard the message of Islam through khilafat (the spiritual institution of successorship to prophethood). It believes that only spiritual successorship can uphold the true values of Islam and unite humanity.”
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was founded in 1889 in Qadian, India. Today the
community spans over 202 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in New Zealand was established in 1987 with the permission of the 4th Caliph, his holiness Mirza Tahir Ahmad. It was formally registered in 1988 with the Department of Internal Affairs.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of New Zealand’s Silver Jubilee celebration, held recently at the Mt. Eden War Memorial Hall, Auckland, was graced by community leaders, guests and politicians from all parties, including Richard Prosser of New Zealand First Party. Mr Prosser recently raised the ire...
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of New Zealand’s Silver Jubilee celebration, held recently at the Mt. Eden War Memorial Hall, Auckland, was graced by community leaders, guests and politicians from all parties, including Richard Prosser of New Zealand First Party.
Mr Prosser recently raised the ire of Muslims in New Zealand throughout the world by making comments about the community in a magazine article. He later apologized for his outburst.
In the speeches delivered by local leaders, the community was praised for their work in promoting peace and religious tolerance in New Zealand and around the world. Chief guest David Rutherford, chief human rights commissioner, congratulated the community’s work of promoting peace and interfaith dialogue in New Zealand and globally.
Mr Rutherford said it was important to acknowledge the Ahmadiyya community “because nothing in the world changes unless there are organisations like you, especially when there are situations like in Christchurch...”
Labour MP Phil Goff said “What really appealed to me about the Ahmadiyya community was their belief in a harmonious and tolerant relationship between peoples”.
He also went on to acknowledge the persecution of the Ahmadiyya community in Pakistan which was of deep concern that people are being persecuted on the basis of their belief.
National president of the Ahmadiyya Community in New Zealand, Mohammed Iqbal in his opening address said “Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the leading Islamic
organization to categorically reject terrorism or oppression in any form”.
“Over a century ago, Ahmad(as) declared that an aggressive ‘jihad by the sword’ has no place in Islam,” Mr Iqbal said.
“In its place, he taught his followers to wage a bloodless, peaceful and intellectual “jihad of the pen” to defend Islam. As part of its effort to revive Islam, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues to spread Ahmad’s (as) teachings of moderation and restraint in the face of bitter opposition from parts of the Muslim world.”
Mr Iqbal expounded on the 25-year achievement of the community in New Zealand from spreading the message of peace to restoring the livelihood of New Zealanders affected during the tragic moments in Christchurch and Pike River mine.
“The secret of the community’s success was our total obedience to the Holy Prophet Muhammadsaw, his ardent promised reformer, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and his successors,” Mr Iqbal said.
“Over a century ago, Ahmad(as) reminded his followers of God’s promise to safeguard the message of Islam through khilafat (the spiritual institution of successorship to prophethood). It believes that only spiritual successorship can uphold the true values of Islam and unite humanity.”
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was founded in 1889 in Qadian, India. Today the
community spans over 202 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in New Zealand was established in 1987 with the permission of the 4th Caliph, his holiness Mirza Tahir Ahmad. It was formally registered in 1988 with the Department of Internal Affairs.
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