Ahmadi Muslims Join National Prayer Breakfast
America’s oldest Muslim organization to host National Day of Prayer tomorrow
Three official representatives of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, the nation’s oldest Muslim organization, attended this morning’s 68th annual National Prayer Breakfast, held in Washington, DC. Imam Shamshad Nasir, Dr. Irfan Alladin, and Ummad Farooq were official guests of the U.S. Congressional co-chairs of the National Prayer Breakfast, Rep. Tom Suozzi (D-NY) and Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI). Farooq, 29, a native of Pakistan and a victim of religious persecution, who was shot in the head by extremists and needed miraculous brain surgery to remove the bullet, flew from London, United Kingdom, as a special U.S. Congressional guest to join other victims of religious repression who were honored at the event by a special prayer. Farooq’s story and the wider persecution of Ahmadi Muslims was highlighted in the presence of the President of the United States, the Vice President of the United States, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the U.S. Secretary of State.
The National Prayer Breakfast corresponds to Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA’s own National Day of Prayer that will take place tomorrow, Friday, February 7th. As the Community achieves the completion of 100 years since the beginning of the Ahmadiyya Movement in the United States, it will commemorate this Friday’s day of prayer in each of its 62 chapters nationwide. The focus of the National Day of Prayer is to pray for peace in the face of the dark clouds of war, conflict, polarization and discord.
“We are grateful to be special guests of the National Prayer Breakfast today,” remarked Amjad Mahmood Khan, National Director of Public Affairs for Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA. “As loyal and civically engaged Americans, we deeply love this country and take this week as an opportunity to unite all Americans through prayer.”
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA invites all Americans to attend the Friday Prayer services at any of its 62 chapters around the country tomorrow.
About the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community: The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans 213 countries with tens of millions of members. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is the oldest American-Muslim organization.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long- awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings. ###
