Women’s Auxiliary of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA Hosts Members of Congressional Black Caucus in Seminar on Race Relations

Recent social unrest over the killing of Mr. George Floyd, a Black American, has sparked a nationwide debate over racial inequality. For this reason, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Association hosted a Zoom event on the concept of “Supreme Justice.” The event was led by the leaders of the Auxiliary and featured participation of three honorable members of the Congressional Black Caucus: Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX).

They spent over an hour sharing their insight on issues of race relations. More than 670 women, including Muslims and non-Muslims from all across the United States and the UK, Canada, Pakistan, West Indies, and other countries, keenly followed the conversation on this very critical topic.

The national president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Auxiliary, Dhiya Bakr, started the conversation by highlighting the Community’s stance on racial inequality.

“The World leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad has been delivering speeches, writing letters and visiting world leaders advocating for global peace. In his book “World Crisis and The Pathway to Peace,” he discusses the Islamic perspective on the global crisis, a path to peace through just relations between nations, and the critical need for absolute justice. During one of his visits to the United States, addressing the U.S. Congress, he mentioned that without justice there is no peace,” President Bakr said.

The three members of Congress discussed how racism has become a public health crisis. They also discussed the prevalence of racism in educational institutions.

 “Racism’s goal is to suppress a people,” Rep. Lawrence said. “Absolutely racism is a public health crisis…because when we are treated disrespectfully…racism impacts our communities, we’re not in a closed system. It’s ultimately going to affect those around us, and as long as we allow racism to guide the policies and the actions and the activities of others, there is not going to be any peace in our communities. There’s no peace worldwide when you see racism or discrimination practiced: That impacts the health and wellbeing of everyone…”

President Bakr closed the conversation by highlighting the Auxiliary’s efforts in trying to build a more just and equitable world. She quoted sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and verses of the Holy Quran to highlight where Islam stands on racial equality. “I hope this event again has given us some insight; I hope we can go home and reflect on the issues that are at hand. I hope we can join with our Congressional women and the rest of the country in forming good relations and actively participate in those activities that promote racial harmony. And we can’t forget the power of vote and the power of prayer,” President Bakr said.