On 12 December 2021, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad held a virtual online meeting with Arab Ahmadi Muslim women from Canada, many of whom were migrants to Canada.
His Holiness presided the meeting from MTA Studios in Islamabad, Tilford, whilst the attendees joined from the Aiwan-e-Tahir Hall in Peace Village, Toronto.
Following a formal session starting with the recitation of the Holy Quran, the attendees had the opportunity to ask His Holiness a series of questions regarding their faith and contemporary issues.
One of the attendees asked His Holiness if Ahmadi Muslims are permitted to take part in protests or demonstrations deemed beneficial for society.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad replied:
“If there is a guarantee that it is to be a peaceful protest and it will not eventually turn into looting and disorder then you can take part. At the time of the second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community there was a protest in support of the Kashmiri Muslims and he gave permission to partake in that and Ahmadi Muslims did take part. So, if it is to be a peaceful protest and no disorder is caused and the nation’s properties are not damaged and it is done whilst remaining within confines of the law then it is permissible.”
Another questioner asked if His Holiness was foretold of the Covid-19 pandemic by God Almighty.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“The way this Covid-19 pandemic is increasing and new variants are spreading, it seems that Allah the Almighty is shaking the world so that it may come to its senses and people may try and fulfil one another’s rights and fulfil the purpose of their lives and recognise God Almighty. However, I was not foretold of the Covid-19 pandemic in any way, either through revelation or dreams. Yes, we know that since the claim of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him), the heavenly and earthly calamities have significantly increased. Alas, may the world recognise this.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further said:
“Just recently there were severe storms in six states of America and yet people will still not realise that they need to turn to God… These calamities have increased substantially since the advent of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him). One can note that in the last 100 years the calamities have increased manifold and this is pointing towards the fact that Allah the Almighty desires that people may turn towards God.”
His Holiness further clarified that this pandemic is not similar to the sign of the plague shown at the time of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) and Ahmadi Muslims should get vaccinated and take precautionary measures against the pandemic.
