Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association UK's Putney chapter organised a vigil in Claygate, Mr Raffi Bhatti, National Vice President of AMEA UK and Mr Mahmood Ahmad, Regional Head of AMEA UK London Region welcomed Councillor Rachael Lake the Mayor of Elmbridge Borough Council and Mark Sugden Chairperson of Parish Council of Claygate.

Members of Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association along with their families including children gathered at the junction of Hare Lane and The Parade in Claygate.

Many local people visited and appreciated  them for their effort. Banners of "LOVE FOR ALL HATRED FOR NONE" were raised high by the participants. As it is the month of Ramadan and Muslim do fast in this month, many of the participants were fasting.

Mr Raffi Bhatti, the vice president of AMEA UK said, “The Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association unequivocally condemns, in the strongest possible terms, terrorist attacks in London and Manchester. All acts of terrorism and extremism are vile criminal acts that are completely unjustifiable.” 

He further said “We express our deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and pray for a full and speedy recovery of those injured. We also commend the excellent work of emergency services, who responded in a matter of minutes. We are proud of them."

The Mayor of Elmbridge thanked to the community for standing together and playing their part to to condemn the terrorist attacks and to show solidarity with the victims. She said that Britain had seen bomb blasts few decades ago and now it is emerging again so we should stand together.

Imtiaz Ahmad, Regional organiser of AMEA London region told the audience that such acts find no hiding place in Islam for it rejects extremism and terrorism in any form and for any reason. We will continue to stand united against extremism and work with all who seek peace to defeat this ideology of hate.

Speaking about the latest attack on worshipers from Finsbury Park Mosque, Mr Mahmood Ahmad Regional Head of AMEA UK, London region said “This was a calculated and heinous attack on peaceful Muslims going about their Ramadan prayers in the middle of the night. We commend the response of the emergency services who were at the scene in a matter of minutes.’’

“The clear intention was to kill and injure as many as possible of those on walkways emerging from the mosque. This is extremely disturbing and Ahmadiyya Muslim community UK condemns this horrific act in the strongest possible terms.”

“This attack on Muslims is the same hate-filled ideology that led to the terrorists’ attacks in Manchester and London.”

“We are facing a time of great uncertainty and are facing an unprecedented challenge to our national security and, as such, we call on the government, security services and the entire public to remain extremely vigilant at all times. We must all work together to ensure that we defeat the extremist ideologies that have caused such destruction and grief in recent years.”

“In Britain, we live in a remarkable country amongst incredibly diverse and compassionate people. It is clear that we are passing through volatile times and therefore we need to stay united as a country and not let extremists destroy the very fabric of society.” 

Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association UK (AMEA UK) is an auxiliary organisation of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK was established in 1913 in the UK. It was founded by Hisholiness Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian in India.

The community lives by its motto "LOVE FOR ALL HATRED FOR NONE".

For further information about the community you can visit any of its different websites, which are
www.alislam.org
www.LoveForAllHatredForNone.org 
www.UnitedAgainstExtremism.com
www.charitywalkforpeace.org

Article supplied by Ahmad Ahsan