Promoting Values of Peace and Brotherhood From the Heart of Europe

Tarik Ataul Munim

Stuttgart’s trade and exhibition center, Messe Stuttgart, is the hub of ideas and contacts. This is where the heads of large multinational companies meet and get together with entrepreneurs and medium-sized companies.  Through its fairs, congresses and events, interesting cooperation agreements and new lines of business are established. 

However, during the first weekend of September 2023, a very different event is taking place. Tens of thousands of Muslims from the Ahmadiyya Community have gathered for a religious convention, with the participation of the Community’s world leader, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba).

Interestingly, the purpose of this weekend’s convention shares many of the objectives of the other conventions taking place at Messe Stuttgart. Every year, during this convention -which also takes place in most countries where Ahmadi Muslims live- people from all over the world, with professional careers of all kinds, share beds, food and seats for three days, which promotes a constant exchange of ideas and contacts. 

In addition, in the case of the Ahmadiyya convention, the conversations are not only about professional development, but mostly about spiritual development. Religious experts inspire the audience through their speeches promoting the values of justice, love, compassion, personal development and many other related topics. Participants also have the opportunity to meet firsthand all the speakers and other individuals recognized for their humanitarian, social or religious service from many parts of the world, whom they might not otherwise have been able to meet firsthand.

For many Ahmadis, this meeting is also a powerful reinforcement for their own moral and spiritual development. Finding oneself surrounded by tens of thousands of people, who share the common goal of developing their values, principles and spirituality, has a multiplier effect that could hardly be produced in any other way. 

In addition to all of the above, the inspirational speeches of His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba), are undoubtedly the most anticipated moments of the convention. His Holiness (aba) is the world’s leading Muslim figure promoting peace and interfaith harmony. Thanks to his leadership, Ahmadi Muslims practice their faith with a strong sense of unity and brotherhood. Proof of this is that this very three-day convention, which is attended by tens of thousands of people from all over the world, and at which room and board is provided for all of them, is organized thanks to the work done by the Ahmadis completely voluntarily and free of charge.

The Messe Stuttgart, located in the heart of Europe, has thus temporarily become a center for the promotion of peace, brotherhood and fraternity; values that the participants will continue to promote, with God’s help, in their respective social environments for the rest of the year.

About the Author: Tarik Ataul Munim, serves as the Editor forThe Review of Religions Spanish Edition