Peace for all, hatred for none

On Saturday I had the pleasure of attending a Peace symposium organised by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

The Ahmadiyya Muslims are a longstanding community in Southfields where they worship in Gressenhall Road at what was London's first mosque. The symposium was organised as a direct response to concerns that all muslims are being tarnished by the extremist activities of a small minority.

Entitled Peace for all, hatred for none, the event was held in the Baitul Futuh mosque in South Morden, which is Europe's largest mosque. Although I have been a guest at the mosque before, I took the opportunity to join one of the many tours being organised for guests and dignatories. Built on the site of an old Unigate milk dairy, this is a fabulous building, impressive in its design and detail.

The symposium was addressed by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya muslim community. The Khalifa, as he is titled, is a man of great distinction and learning, and it was a great honour for me to meet him afterwards.

Political figures from all parties attended, with addresses from Dominic Grieve MP for the Conservatives and Siobhain McDonagh, the popular local Labour MP for Mitcham & Morden (in whose constituency the mosque is located).

The message of the symposium - peace for all, hatred for none - is simple, and one surely we can all endorse.