Ahmadiyya Muslims Fight Stigma in Belize

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, fast growing international revival movement within Islam.  Founded in 1889, it spans over two hundred and six countries with membership exceeding tens of millions.  It is also the only Islamic organization to believe that the long-awaited Messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad.  The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace.  While the purpose is noble and enduring, there is still carnage in the name of religion.  With the ongoing war on terrorism perpetuated by religious fanatics, we look at Ahmadiyya Muslims in Belize who are fighting the stigma by educating the public on Islam.

Imam Naveed Mangla, President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Belize

Naveed Mangla

“Just like Christians have many churches and sects within Christianity, we the Muslims also have many sects or denominations and one of them is the Ahmadiyya Muslim community.  Our community came into being around a hundred and twenty-five years when our founder Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, right here announced that God had told him that he is the second coming of Jesus and also the second coming of Prophet Mohammed who had prophesied that after my demise, fourteen hundred years a promised Messiah will come and he will take Muslims back to the original teachings of Prophet Mohammed.”

Isani Cayetano

“How do you dispel some of the harsh criticism that has been thrown your way based on your religion, your way of life and what may be perceived in other corners as religious extremism or fanaticism?”

Naveed Mangla

“When it comes to opposition and criticism we are not afraid of it at all.  In fact, our community believes that wherever we are being opposed that is one of the signs that we will increase their numbers because opposition is something that is in the tradition of all of the prophets.  Prophet Abraham was thrown into fire.  Prophet Jesus was put on the cross, right.  So we being opposed, we’re not afraid of it at all.  When we go out and people call us Talibans and terrorists and associate us with ISIS it gives us an excuse to explain to them who we really are.  And it is for this reason and then when people come here and see what we are doing and what we have to offer to the Belizean community here, proudly they want to join Islam Ahmadiyya.”

Isani Cayetano

“Talk to us a bit about the issue of ISIS/ISIL and what have you.  It’s one of those issues that is pretty much at the forefront of the news, in terms of the television media, social media and what have you.  But as far as a majority of us Belizeans go, we’re not quite as learned, if I may, with regards to what is taking place and how this all came about.  Can you shed some light for us?”

Naveed Mangla

“How is it possible that a possible saying that I am a Muslim and he even thinks of hurting a person’s feelings let alone killing them or bombing a building and so on. SO these people they have nothing to do with Islam.”