Ahmadiyya Muslims: Abu Naila Was Not One of Us

Imam Naveed Mangla

Was slain religious extremist Abu Naila, believed to be Belizean born Nadir Ali Ahmad, associated with the local chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community?  It’s a question that was put candidly to a panel of religious leaders this morning during a press conference to announce an upcoming convention.  Since News Five broke the story last Friday, there has been public interest in learning more about the fallen militant’s background in Belize, including his ties to the religious community.  Frankly put, Imam Naveed Mangla, President of the Ahmadiyya Jama’at in the Old Capital, says he is not familiar with the name.

Imam Naveed Mangla, President, Ahmadiyya Jama’at Belize

“The person that you are naming we have not heard of him before, nor have we ever seen him.  I’ve been Imam here pretty much ever since the community got established here and we can confirm from the previous one or two Imams that we have no connection with that person.”

Mohammad Sadique

Mohammad Sadique, Missionary

“So basically what he is saying that he is not a member of our community.  There is no history, there’s no indication from anywhere.  We do not know him.  You see, these youths, sometimes they get themselves into certain associations with some groups which are not Islamic groups.  When you talk of terrorism, as our president said, it’s not part of the Islamic faith.  Some group decides to just go out there to cause mayhem, to create problems, to create disorder on earth, maybe to get some notoriety or maybe to get some publicity, for whatever reason we have no idea.  And this young man may have joined some group and they have taken him somewhere for whatever he went there to do and unfortunately he got himself into this situation.  It is very repugnant; it’s not something that anybody would condone.  It is wrong from every angle, let alone religion.  We hope that these young men that are here in this country and many other countries like Jamaica and others, they would listen to the peaceful message of Islam that we have been preaching lately so that they do not get themselves involved in these activities.”