Official Transcript of the Address by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba), Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Fifth Khalifa (Successor) to the Promised Messiah (as) for the Fazl Mosque Centenary Reception on Saturday, 3rd October 2026
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After reciting Tashahhud, Ta`awwuz and Bismillah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba), Woeldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said:
‘All distinguished guests, Assalamo Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahe Wa Barakatohu – may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon you all.
Today, with the grace of Allah, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the United Kingdom is holding this event to mark the centenary of the inauguration of the first purpose-built mosque in London – the Fazl Mosque.
Today’s event follows on from a reception held two years ago, marking 100 years since the foundation stone for the mosque was laid by the Second Khalifa (ra) of our Community. At that time, in the 1920’s, certain reservations or misgivings existed in relation to Muslims. Regrettably, a century later, this is something we still witness today. In fact, in recent times, the fears and concerns about Islam and Muslims have increased. This is a source of grief and deep regret for true Muslims because the purpose of the mosque is simply to serve as a place where people can gather to worship God Almighty and draw closer to Him. A mosque inspires those who enter its doors to serve others and fulfil the rights of all mankind. Consequently, rather than being a source of conflict, a true mosque is bult to foster peace and harmony in the local community and the wider world.
One of the foremost allegations raised against Islam is that, God forbid, it is a religion of extremism, or one that promotes acts of terrorism. This is categorically false. In reality, Islam teaches Muslims to defend and uphold the rights of all people, irrespective of their faith or religious traditions. The critics of Islam often point to the fact that the early Muslims fought wars or battles to achieve their vested interests. However, the true historical context is often lacking. Upon founding Islam, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) and his early companions were the victims of brutal and sustained persecution in their homeland. After many years of bearing such cruelties, they migrated to another city in order to worship freely and in peace. However, their persecutors pursued the Muslims to their place of refuge and waged war against them. Then, and only then, did Allah the Almighty permit the Muslims to fight back and defend themselves.
This permission is enshrined in chapter 22, verses 40 to 41 of the Holy Qur’an. In these verses, God Almighty stated that permission to fight back was granted to the Muslims because not only did the aggressors desire to eliminate Islam, but to also end religious freedom for all people and all communities. The Qur’an explicitly states that if the Muslims did not defend themselves, then no church, synagogue, temple or mosque would be safe. Hence, when Muslims were permitted to fight back by God Almighty, it was in order to defend all religions and to enshrine, once and for all, the principles of freedom of religion and freedom of belief in Islam.
In light of this, the idea that mosques are places where dangerous plots are hatched or extremism is bred is completely false. No true mosque can ever be a source of harm or disorder. Any mosque used to spread extremism or fuel intolerance directly violates Islam’s teachings and is to be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
Indeed, during the time of the Holy Prophet (sa) a structure was built as a mosque, but it was built with ill-intent and a desire to incite division and rebellion in society. As a result, God Almighty instructed the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) to demolish that so-called mosque. In terms of our Community, we have always sought to spread peace and goodwill in society. We have endeavoured to foster love and reconciliation amongst all people.
Moreover, our efforts are not limited to words. We have always extended a sincere hand of friendship and benevolence to the people of all faiths and beliefs. This is because Islam teaches us that religion and belief is a matter of the heart. No one has the right to force or coerce another person to adopt their faith, beliefs, or values. At the same time, we also believe that religious people should have the right to worship freely and to have places of worship. In this regard, we will always be grateful to the people of this nation for giving us the opportunity to open mosques in different towns and cities; and the very first mosque we built in this country was the Fazl Mosque, where you have gathered today to mark its centenary.
Upon laying the mosque’s foundation stone in 1924, the Second Khalifa (ra) of our Community reiterated that all mosques are built for the worship of the One God and expressed his hope that the love of God Almighty would infuse the hearts of those who entered though its doors. As Muslims, our religion has taught us to respect all religions and to defend all faiths and beliefs. We believe that true peace cannot be established without acting upon the principles that the world’s major religions gave to mankind. Every Prophet of God, including the Prophets Moses (as), the Prophet Jesus (as), the Prophet of Islam (sa) brought a message of peace to the world.
So, once again, I wish to emphasise our profound respect for all religions and our belief that all people should have the right to worship and practice their religious teachings. The Second Khalifa (ra) stated that any person who desired to worship God was permitted to do so in the Fazl Mosque, as long as they did not violate the rules of the premises and did not seek to interfere with the religious worship of those who had built this mosque. He articulated his belief that the Fazl Mosque would prove to be a lasting symbol of tolerance, interfaith harmony and mutual respect in society. With the grace of Allah the Almighty, these words of his have proven true.
The Second Caliph (ra) also expressed his hope that this mosque would become a true haven of peace and a means of ending wars and conflicts in the world. The Fazl Mosque was built in the aftermath of the First World War. However, a little more than a decade after its opening, the Second World War broke out. If we fast forward to today, we see that once again, conflicts and warfare and rapidly accelerating in many parts of the world. I have repeatedly expressed my fear that humanity has forgotten the lessons of the previous world wars, and as a result, we stand on the precipice of a Third World War.
With all my heart, I pray that instead of hurtling towards such a calamitous war, the world governments and leaders see sense before it is too late and do whatever they can to bring about peace. For our part as Ahmadis, we have always sought to play a foremost role in serving the cause of peace. Wherever we build mosques, we do so with the firm intention that they shall foster a spirit of mutual sympathy and love in the local communities and the world at large.
We firmly believe that irrespective of our differences, all people should live together with respect and understanding. We should treat one another with compassion and uphold human values. We are inspired and motivated by the categorical statement of the Holy Qur’an that there should be no compulsion in matters of faith or religion.
The 100-year history of the Fazl Mosque bears witness to the fact that it has always served as a beacon of peace, love and compassion. This example is not exclusive only to this mosque; rather, this is the way of all of our mosques. This spirit of openness is inherent to who we are. For example, each year we hold an annual convention known as the Jalsa Salana in Hampshire, at which thousands of people from around the world gather together for three days. Many non-Muslim guests attend as well, both from the local community and from much further afield. Throughout the convention, a message of peace and tolerance echoes in every direction. The Jalsa ignites a heartfelt desire in the participants to break down the barriers that divide mankind, to bring people closer together and to foster peace in the world. Indeed, this is the urgent need of the time.
Yet, regrettably, many of the world’s political leaders and governments are taking mankind in an opposite direction towards warfare and destruction. At such times, we must remember the horror of the previous world wars. We must never forget how the Second World War ultimately came to an end; with the use of nuclear weapons that caused unimaginable death and destruction. Given the subsequent advancement in weapons and technology, it is impossible to imagine the level of suffering and bloodshed that would ensue if current conflicts were to escalate into a full-scale world war. One trembles at the mere thought of it.
So, today, we must not think only of fulfilling our objectives or desires, but we must consider and prioritise the rights and needs of our children and future generations. Those who are religious, whether Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, or followers of any other faith should seek to follow the original teachings of their religions because all prophets of God sought to bring mankind towards peace and tolerance.
With these words, I reiterate that all our mosques are symbols of peace, love and compassion. They do not incite the worshippers towards aggression or extremism. Rather, they ignite within us a determination to spread peace, to serve our communities, and to fulfil the rights of the deprived or those who are vulnerable in any way. This is the case with all our mosques, be they here in the United Kingdom, in Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America, or any other part of the world.
With the grace of God, for the past century, the Fazl Mosque has always manifested peace and compassion, and God-willing, shall forever continue to reflect these noble values. It will continue to be a means of spreading love and mercy, because we are all part of the creation of that God Who declares that He is the Provider and Sustainer of all creation. If Allah is the Provider and Sustainer for all creation, it is incumbent upon Muslims to care for all people without distinction and to strive to establish a society based on love and kindness. Certainly, if any Ahmadi Muslim does not uphold these values, they are deviating from Islam’s teachings.
Therefore, I also wish to remind the Ahmadis present, that it is up to them to conduct themselves in a way that testifies to Islam’s peaceful and benevolent teachings. Every step they take in the mosque ought to inspire them to increase in their service for others, and to bring people together under a banner of love and empathy. May Allah the Almighty enable us to continue to spread peace and to increase in our love and service for all mankind. Ameen.
With these words, I thank you all for your kind gesture in joining us as we mark the centenary of the Fazl Mosque.
Thank you very much.’
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