Hundreds of faithful from Ahmadiyya branch of Islam gather in Chino for convention

KPCC
Ahmadiyya founder Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in an undated photo.
Dec. 24, 2009 | Steven Cuevas | KPCC

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More than a thousand members of a little known branch of Islam are gathering this weekend in Chino. The annual retreat is a time for Ahmadiyya Muslims to reaffirm beliefs that some consider heretical.

Amjad Mahmood Khan says it’s definitely not easy being an Ahmadiyya Muslim. “They are the most persecuted Muslim community in the world. Pakistan declares this community as non-Muslim and any attempt by an Ahmadiyy to call themselves Muslim is an arrestable offense and they can be fined, imprisoned or put to death.”

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Khan’s parents fled Pakistan more than 30 years ago — and like many other Ahmadiyya, they settled in Southern California. Khan is an attorney who works on asylum cases involving Ahmadiyy facing persecution in other countries. He’s also the organizer of this year’s West Coast Jalsa Salana in Chino.

“It’s an opportunity to improve one’s spirituality”, says Khan. “There’s a lot of interesting discourse on anything from the secular to the spiritual, mostly dealing with Islamic ideology, governance issues and giving back to the community.”

The Ahmadiyya branch of Islam was founded a little over a century ago by its spiritual leader Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. The Indian-born guru proclaimed himself to be the promised Messiah foretold by Muhammad. Followers say Ahmad was sent to purge Islam of radical beliefs and restore its true and essential teachings. Ahmad condemned “jihad by the sword” and openly embraced the teachings of Jesus, Krishna and Buddha.

Amjad Mahmood Khan says those beliefs can draw scorn from other Muslims.

“That finality of prophet concept in Islam is so sacrosanct that if any Muslim community believes that there is anyone who came after Muhammad, that is essentially heretical — no matter how peaceful the teachings are. Our response is that he actually came to resurrect the peaceful teachings that we believe Muhammad taught. And I think it’s because of that ideological belief that the Ahmadiyya community is ostracized.”

Khan says the Ahmadiyya have won greater acceptance from Muslims in the U.S. than in countries like Pakistan or Indonesia. In fact, some of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s pacifist teachings were adopted by some mainstream American Muslims following the 9-11 terrorist attacks. An often heard credo in the Ahmadiyya community is “Love for All, Hatred for None.”

The Inland Empire Amadiyya community also won considerable local support after an electrical fire severely damaged the Baitul Hameed Mosque six years ago.

Amjad Mahmood Khan says it took years to restore the mosque. “We actually said prayers every Friday for over a year, maybe two years, at the Mormon church across the street,” remembers Khan. “It was amazing. They opened their church for us, and we offered all our services. So if you can imagine 5 or 600 Muslims every Friday at a Mormon church!”

The Baitul Hameed Mosque is hosting the annual “West Coast Jalsa Salana” for first time since that fire. It runs through Sunday. About 1,500 people are expected to attend.

an3sthesia
2 months, 2 weeks ago

May All those who attend this peaceful event have a safe and blessed journey.

Salah Nizami
2 months, 2 weeks ago

It is part of Islamic faith that Jesus will come to revive Islam. General Muslims have succumbed to Christian doctrine & reckon old Jesus will readvent from the skies. Whereas Quran categorically declares Jesus dead e.g 3-144 The Prophets B4 Mohommed PBUH have passed away.

Ahmadiyya is the revival of Islam & General Muslims instead of getting misled by Mullahs do due diligence 2D only claimant 4D Messiha of Islam. Look alislamdotorg

Qamar Ahmad
2 months, 2 weeks ago

For anyone asking the question, where are the moderate Muslims, the answer is: they are Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Not to rule out the possibility amongst other sects, but Ahmadi Muslims at the core of their teachings and from the bottom of their hearts are peaceful, law-abiding Muslims. They are grateful for the freedoms that US affords them and are her loyal citizens. God bless America and God Bless Islam

Jameel Matin
2 months, 2 weeks ago

For more information please visit alislam.org

I-touch-the-future
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Fellow Californians! Here is an opportunity for us to check out the true teachings of Islam that the Ahmadis hold so dear! Attending some lectures at their Convention, or, at the very least, visiting www.alislam.org, will tell inquisitive minds what this quiet but dynamic group stands for.

I wish peace and growth for all groups that reach out to their fellow-man.

Mahmood Ahmad, Senior Command, Ahmadiyya Jamat
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
Dhaka, 26 Dec 2009

To
Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad
Masih-in-Charge (Mujaddid-in-Charge) (Prophet-in-Charge) (Khalifatul Masih-V) and Head of World Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Your Holiness Masih-in-Charge (Khalifatul Masih-V),
Assalamu alaikum wr wb.
Allah, the Almighty may grant you Masihship soon, also grant you sound health, long life with a happy conjugal life.

I committed many great sin. I beg mercy of Allah, mercy from my ahmadi brothers and sisters in the world through Masih-in-Charge (you). Pls forgive me, pls forgive my parents, forgive my family and orphan status innocent children and my other family members.

Pls pray for me, my parents, my family members and Bangladesh Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamat.

Yours sincerely,

Mahmood Ahmad of Bangladesh
Senior Command
World Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

Faal Qureshi
2 months, 1 week ago

I am feeling misfotune not attending this Jalsa.

Jameel Matin
2 months, 1 week ago

Faal, I can send you tthe DVD of the program, if you'd like.

waqar
2 months ago

oh yes, how could i get dvd of this convention?
let me know please.

waqar
2 months ago

oh yes, how could i get dvd of this convention?
let me know please. my email is aroob777@gmail.com

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