Concerned about unrest in the world and wanting to do something about it, the Women’s Auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community hosted an interfaith event. Held Feb. 8 at the Mubarak Mosque in Chantilly, it gave women from different walks of life the chance to discuss their perspectives on peace.

The event was called “World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace.” And during its course, the women presented their ideas on:

• How to save the world from destruction,

• How to create true peace and harmony in the world, and

• What’s the role of religion in promoting justice, freedom, human rights and peace?

The motto of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is “Love for all, hatred for none.” And that community’s Sobia Bushra began the meeting by reading a verse from the Quran. It urged people to “let not a people's enmity incite you to act otherwise than with justice” and reminded them that “Allah is aware of what you do.”

Also representing the Ahmadiyya Muslims was Mubarika Shah, who wished peace upon those attending the all-female event. “War and poverty have created turmoil that is getting out of control,” she said. “We will share and discuss what role our religion can play and what individuals can do to help humanity.”

She explained that the Muslim religion of Islam means peace and submission and that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a “dynamic, fast-growing, international revival movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, it spans over 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions.”

Shah said Ahmadiyya Muslims have a central spiritual leader and promote a message of peace and tolerance. They’ve also helped people worldwide via its independent charitable organization, Humanity First.

“The ladies of our community are members of the Ahmadi Muslim women’s association called Lajna Imaillah,” she said. “[We’re] working for the betterment of our members [and] the society we live in. Today’s program is toward this goal; we truly hope we will learn from each other and benefit from it.”

Speaking next, Mary Beth Style of St. Timothy Catholic Church called Mary “the perfect model of womanhood because she said yes to God when he asked her to bring Jesus into the world. And whenever I have something important to do, I start with a prayer to Mary to be my guide. We can’t save the world from destruction, but we know who can — God — and we have to ask him.”

She said peace isn’t defined by being without conflict, but by being in perfect harmony with God and others. “Love your brother as you,” said Style. “It’s simple and it’s hard. God made us to love Him and love each other. It’s in our hearts, but we need to speak out about it when we’re silenced.”

“Do we want to manage anger or — if we’re going to have a peaceful world — resolve it?” she asked. “We assume we know what’s in someone’s heart and mind through their behavior. But if we can forgive that person, the anger dissipates. We have to pray to God — He always brings good from evil.”

Akavish Khan from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community also spoke. She said that if uprisings, poverty and economic injustice are left unchecked, they could lead to world destruction or WWIII. “So it’s important to lay the foundation for peace,” said Khan. “Ahmadiyya Muslims have been trying to do this for years.”

She said their worldwide spiritual leader, Mirza Masrood Ahmad, the fifth successor to their promised messiah, champions the need for universal human rights. He also initiated a national peace campaign and urged world leaders to resolve their differences peacefully. Khan said Ahmad believes peace must first be established “within the home and then in society, the country and the world, recognizing the Creator leads us to [revere and care for] His creation, the world.”

For a peaceful society, said Khan, “Peace and justice are inseparable and justice demands religious tolerance. Ahmadi Muslims believe all humans have equal rights and freedoms. We should act fairly with everyone, even our enemies, and not tolerate injustice to others. And we should help those in need — the poor, weak and vulnerable.”

She said God forbids all forms of treachery or rebellion because they threaten a nation’s peace. “This applies to Muslims, no matter where they live,” said Khan. “Wherever Ahmadi Muslims go, they will love their country and be absolutely loyal and devoted to it.”

So how may world peace be achieved?

“Greed and envy increase restlessness,” said Khan. “No country should seek to unjustly appropriate or take over the resources of another country. The Holy Quran forbids terrorism and promotes humility, justice, truth and righteousness. Our task is to take the first step toward a just and peaceful world where everyone lives in harmony.”