A world Muslim leader on Saturday denounced recent violent attacks carried out in the name of Islam as he brought his message of peace to Calgary.
Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the spiritual head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, said the slaying of a British soldier, the Boston Marathon bombings and the Via Rail bomb plot give the wrong message of the true teachings of Islam.
We are trying to build the true message of Islam, which is peace, love and harmony, he told reporters at the Baitun Nur mosque.
A relatively small religious sect, the Ahmadis are heavily persecuted for their faith, which is at odds with some orthodox Muslim views.
Reports suggest between 25,000 and 50,000 Ahmadis reside in Canada, mainly in urban centres such as Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto.
On Saturday, Ahmad acknowledged the high-profile terrorist attacks conducted by Muslim extremists are a roadblock in reaching peace, but said his campaign isnt countering any specific violence.
We have been condemning it all the time, Ahmad said. We have been giving the message of peace all the time.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi, North Americas first big-city Muslim mayor, also met with the spiritual leader.
The visiting khalifa, who lives in London, England, has twice before stopped in Calgary. In 2008, he joined religious leaders and high-ranking politicians in opening the gargantuan Baitun Nur house of worship on Calgarys northeastern edge.
At 48,000-sq.-ft, the mosque is considered the largest in Canada and ranks among the top worldwide.
World Muslim leader condemns recent terror attacks during Calgary visit
Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the spiritual head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, said the slaying of a British soldier, the Boston Marathon bombings and the Via Rail bomb plot give the wrong message of the true teachings of Islam.
We are trying to build the true message of Islam, which is peace, love and harmony, he told reporters at the Baitun Nur mosque.
A relatively small religious sect, the Ahmadis are heavily persecuted for their faith, which is at odds with some orthodox Muslim views.
Reports suggest between 25,000 and 50,000 Ahmadis reside in Canada, mainly in urban centres such as Calgary, Vancouver and Toronto.
On Saturday, Ahmad acknowledged the high-profile terrorist attacks conducted by Muslim extremists are a roadblock in reaching peace, but said his campaign isnt countering any specific violence.
We have been condemning it all the time, Ahmad said. We have been giving the message of peace all the time.
Mayor Naheed Nenshi, North Americas first big-city Muslim mayor, also met with the spiritual leader.
The visiting khalifa, who lives in London, England, has twice before stopped in Calgary. In 2008, he joined religious leaders and high-ranking politicians in opening the gargantuan Baitun Nur house of worship on Calgarys northeastern edge.
At 48,000-sq.-ft, the mosque is considered the largest in Canada and ranks among the top worldwide.
World Muslim leader condemns recent terror attacks during Calgary visit
