Mubarak Mosque
Sheephatch Lane
Tilford, Surrey
GU10 2AQ
United Kingdom
His Excellency Mr. Antonio Guterres
Secretary-General
United Nations
New York, NY 10017
2 June 2020
Your Excellency,
Given the perilous situation that the world faces, and in light of the COVID-19 crisis, I have written to the leaders of many of the world’s major powers. As the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the principal international body charged with ensuring the peace and wellbeing of the world, a great responsibility is also placed upon your shoulders. Thus, I take this opportunity to urge you to use your platform for the benefit of all humanity.
In my view, the pre-eminent means for the United Nations to fulfil its founding objectives is for it to bring all nations of the world together on one platform, in which each country is treated equally and without prejudice, rather than bowing to the might and will of a select number of dominant world powers.
At all times, the primary objective of the United Nations should be to establish unity and trust amongst the nations of the world so that global peace may become a living reality, rather than a distant dream. For this, it is essential that the United Nations plays its role in ensuring that the rights of all nations are respected and valued. Only then will the people of the world be the recipients of the blessings and favours of God Almighty.
This virulent disease has caused immense anxiety and distress to people from all nations, irrespective of whether they be young or old, rich or poor, mighty or weak. The virus has magnified the fallibility and frailty of human beings, whereby none of us can be certain of what tomorrow shall bring.
For some months, governments have been, according to their means, striving to control the outbreak and ultimately to eliminate the threat of COVID-19 as quickly as possible. The United Nations, especially through the auspices of the World Health Organisation, has taken measures to combat the spread of the virus and to treat those who are suffering from its ill-effects and, thankfully, the results of the preventative measures and treatments seem to be working and have slowed the spread of the coronavirus.
Nonetheless, I consider it my duty and obligation, as the worldwide religious leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, to draw your attention towards my firm conviction that this pandemic must give all nations and their leaders pause for thought. I steadfastly believe that relying solely on material and worldly means to confront the exceptionally perilous situation the world faces is inadequate and insufficient. Rather, all nations must question why and how this virus has spread so rapidly, wreaked so much misery and caused for much of the world to be brought to a complete standstill. Through mere human activity it would not have been possible for this virus to have had such extensive and debilitating consequences and so, as a religious leader and a person of faith, I believe that the tribulations of the past few weeks have occurred according to the Decree of God Almighty and as a grave warning to mankind to reform and to forgo all forms of injustice and cruelty. This pandemic is a glaring message to mankind directing the people of the world to turn towards God Almighty and to fulfil His rights and those of our fellow human beings.
I should clarify that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was established in 1889 in the small Indian village of Qadian and its Founder, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be upon him), claimed that he was sent as a Reformer by Allah the Almighty. He was charged with reforming humanity by bringing them back towards their Creator and by drawing the attention of all mankind towards fulfilling their responsibilities and duties to one another.
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be upon him) said:
“The matter of a person’s faith or disbelief will be decided in the Hereafter. These natural disasters or calamities that occur or through which the nations of the past were destroyed were not merely due to their disbelief. Rather, they were ruined as a result of their arrogance, transgressions and cruelties. Even the Pharaoh did not perish due to his disbelief, rather due to the injustices and brutalities he perpetrated.”
Moreover, it is not enough for us to simply be aware of our past, rather it is vital we learn the lessons that history imparts to us. Hence, we must not ignore or consider insignificant the way in which natural disasters, catastrophes or pandemics are occurring. Instead, we should acknowledge the fact that they are a manifestation of Divine Decree and a warning for mankind to relinquish all forms of injustice and to recognise God Almighty as the Creator of all Creation. In order to satisfy and draw nearer to God Almighty, it is necessary for mankind to fulfil His rights and those of His Creation.
Recently, Pope Francis publicly expressed his fear that if he were to ask God Almighty if He was satisfied with the conduct of humanity, God would respond by expressing His displeasure. Furthermore, Pope Francis implied that the prevalence of natural disasters was a response and reaction to the wrongs and negligence of today’s world. I concur with these sentiments and consider it imperative that the world’s leaders, governments and the public pay serious attention to the stark reality before us.
Indisputably, COVID-19 has shaken the world’s economy to its very core and patently the coming weeks, months and years ahead will be exceedingly hazardous and challenging. Indeed, most people do not yet fully appreciate how precarious the world will be just a few months from now. If history teaches us anything it is that when governments selfishly prioritise their own national interests over and beyond the collective interest the results are invariably catastrophic. Inevitably, economic or trade wars occur that, in turn, foster hatred and jealousy and ultimately lead to open warfare and bloody conflicts in which unimaginably destructive weapons are unleashed obliterating all that is before them.
Consequently, with all humility and sincerity, I urge you as the Secretary-General of the United Nations to formulate policies that are based on justice and which uphold the rights of all nations so that the world may be saved from further misery and destruction.
With all my heart, I hope and pray that you will pay heed and take seriously my earnest words. For the sake of the peace the world, I pray that you play your role in the formation of economic and geopolitical policies that respect the rights of all parties and through which all peoples and nations can benefit and unite.
May Allah the Almighty enable you and all other world leaders to act for the betterment of humanity and to leave behind a legacy of peace and prosperity for those who follow in our stead.
With best wishes and prayers,
Yours sincerely,
MIRZA MASROOR AHMAD
Khalifatul Masih V
HEAD OF THE WORLDWIDE
AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY