Press Release
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Finland’s Statement on Recent Escalations in the Israeli and Palestinian Conflict
| For Immediate Release October 13, 2023 |
Contact: External Affairs Deptt. Email: Twitter: |
(M: +358401845162) extaffairs@ahmadiyya.fi @AMJ_Suomi |
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Finland’s Statement on Recent Escalations in the Israeli and Palestinian Conflict
The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad has condemned the killing of innocent civilians on both sides in the war between Hamas and Israel and expressed his fear that the situation would continue to spiral out of all control.
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Finland states as per guidance of Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad:
“Over the past few days, hundreds of Israelis and Palestinians, including women, children and the elderly, have been killed or injured as a result of senseless violence and bloodshed. The killing or harming of innocent civilians is a direct violation of the teachings of the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him), who taught that even in a state of warfare, no woman, child or elder should be targeted or harmed in any way. Nor should any religious leader or place of worship be attacked.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community extends its deepest sympathies and prayers to all those who have been left bereaved or affected in any way. Our hearts go out to them all.
We pray and urge for an immediate end to hostilities and for peace to prevail so that no more lives are lost. For that, it is necessary that the channels of communication between relevant parties and nations remain open.
Until a ceasefire occurs, any military action taken must ensure that civilians do not come to any harm.
Furthermore, Muslim countries within the region should unite in an effort to establish peace and to ensure that the rights of those innocent Palestinian people, who have no link with extremists, are protected.
We urge the United States and other influential nations to abstain from any actions or statements that may further inflame the volatile situation. Instead, alongside the relevant international organisations, they should make every possible effort to urgently de-escalate the conflict and secure peace as soon as possible.
Justice and equity are of paramount importance in achieving lasting and sustainable peace. Thus, all the major powers must focus on establishing long-term and sustainable peace based upon the principles of fairness and true justice.
On 13 October 2023, His Holiness raised his voice for the innocent lives lost on both sides and urged major powers to prioritise de-escalation and finding a just solution to the conflict:
“For the past few days, a war has ensued between Hamas and Israel. As a result, women, children and the elderly have been killed and are continuing to lose their lives without any distinction.”
Reminding Muslims of the Islamic injunctions, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Even in a state of war, Islam does not permit the killing of women, children, elderly and innocent civilians. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) gave strict instructions against doing so… In this recent escalation of the war, Hamas made the first move and attacked Israeli citizens. Leaving aside for a moment the fact that innocent people have been unjustly killed by the Israeli army, Muslims should ensure that they always adhere to the teachings of Islam.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:
“If there is a legitimate state of war, it should be entirely limited to the respective armies and never against innocent women, children, elderly and civilians. In this respect, the action Hamas took must be condemned.”
“Whatever injustice and cruelty Hamas committed, the response to that or war should have been restricted to Hamas. However, the (indiscriminate) response of the Israeli government is extremely dangerous and it seems that this conflict will not end here. In fact, it cannot even be imagined how many innocent women, children, elderly and civilians will lose their lives. The Israeli government has suggested it will destroy Gaza and to this end, they have carried out severe and overwhelming bombardment. They have turned the city to dust.”
Finally, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad prayed for sense and peace to prevail on both sides:
“May Allah give sense to Hamas as well. May they not become the reason for the injustices against their own people and may they not carry out barbaric cruelties and injustices against others. If they are to fight, then they should do so in light of the just principles of Islam – wherein an enmity of a nation should not incite us to act otherwise than with justice – this is the commandment of Allah the Almighty. May Allah enable the major powers to fulfil the obligations of justice on both sides of the conflict in order to establish peace. It should not be that they become lenient towards one side at the cost of the other. May they not increase in injustice and may we see peace with our eyes in the world.”
About Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a peaceful, law abiding, nonviolent and loving community. Founded in 1889, the Community spans more than 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the leading Islamic organization to categorically reject terrorism in any form. Similarly, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to endorse a separation of mosque and state. Today, it continues to be an advocate for universal human rights and protections for religious and other minorities. It champions the empowerment and education of women. Its members are among the most law-abiding, educated, and engaged Muslims in the world. For official website of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Finland, please visit: www.ahmadiyya.fi.