UK's Largest Muslim Event Goes Ahead with Added Security
· news
Confronting Hate, Engaging Humanity: The Jalsa Salana Lesson
The UK’s largest Muslim convention, Jalsa Salana, is proceeding with added security measures despite rising hate crimes against Muslims. This decision reflects the resilience of the Ahmadiyya community, which has faced hostility for decades.
Rafiq Hayat, head of the UK chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, has been instrumental in building bridges between faiths and backgrounds. Despite facing adversity from extremist Muslims and far-right groups, Hayat’s approach has always emphasized engagement over retrenchment.
The Ahmadiyya community’s strategy is centered on increasing visibility in public life by investing in relationships with neighbors, local authorities, and the police. This approach has helped diffuse tensions and promote understanding, as evident in the community’s efforts to establish a network of support.
Hayat’s personal story illustrates this approach. Having lived in London since 1967, he witnessed firsthand the rise and fall of various right-wing movements. Rather than withdrawing from public life, Hayat sought out opportunities to engage with his community and build bridges.
The construction of the Ahmadiyya mosque in Morden in the 1990s was a pivotal moment in this effort. Despite protests from British National Party supporters, Hayat and his community chose to invest in relationships with their neighbors, creating a liaison group that brought together church leaders, local authorities, and police.
The experience has provided valuable lessons for responding to today’s climate of rising anti-Muslim hatred. According to recent figures, one mosque is attacked every five days in Britain, while hate crimes against Muslims rose by 19% last year. Hayat emphasizes the importance of not being embarrassed about being Muslim in this country: “We say to our children that they must not be embarrassed about being Muslim in this country.”
The Ahmadiyya community’s approach is rooted in a deep understanding of the significance of personal encounters in building bridges between communities. Hayat recalls one visitor who was initially hesitant to enter the mosque, only to be warmly welcomed and find a sense of belonging. “You don’t see my color anymore,” she said afterwards. “You see the human being behind it.” This is the key to peaceful coexistence – a message that resonates far beyond the Ahmadiyya community.
As Jalsa Salana proceeds, with its expected 50,000 attendees from over 100 countries, it serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of engagement and inclusivity in the face of hatred. The event highlights the need for more examples of resilience, courage, and compassion in today’s society.
Reader Views
- CSCorrespondent S. Tan · field correspondent
It's heartening to see the Ahmadiyya community's commitment to building bridges in the face of hostility. However, one can't help but wonder what happens when the authorities fail to reciprocate their efforts. The UK government's counter-terrorism strategy has long emphasized community engagement, yet some critics argue it focuses too heavily on policing and not enough on addressing the root causes of extremism. As the Jalsa Salana event goes ahead with added security, it's essential to ask whether the community is being asked to pick up the slack for systemic failures in keeping its members safe.
- ADAnalyst D. Park · policy analyst
While it's heartening to see the Jalsa Salana proceeding with added security measures, one can't help but wonder if this merely reinforces the narrative that Muslims are inherently fragile and in need of protection. A more nuanced approach would focus on building a culture of mutual respect and understanding, rather than relying solely on security measures. By prioritizing engagement over retrenchment, communities like Ahmadiyya can serve as beacons for inclusivity, but it's equally crucial to address the systemic factors driving anti-Muslim hatred, including discriminatory policies and rhetoric.
- RJReporter J. Avery · staff reporter
While it's heartening to see the Ahmadiyya community's efforts to promote understanding and engage with their neighbors, one can't help but wonder if such outreach is enough in today's climate of rising hate crimes. The statistics are stark: a mosque attacked every five days, hate crimes against Muslims up by 19%. It's clear that more needs to be done to address the root causes of this prejudice, rather than just treating its symptoms through community building initiatives.