Wednesday, May 23, 2012

01/05/08, Letter to the Editor, printed in The Frederick News-Post (Virginia)

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Past as prologue to Walkersville's future

1892 was a year that witnessed President Abraham Lincoln’s birthday become a national holiday; a year that witnessed the Pledge of Allegiance first recited in public schools; a year that witnessed Ellis Island open its doors to the world. Indeed, 1892 was a year of unity and acceptance.

1892 also witnessed Walkersville become an official township of Frederick County . 1892 also witnessed the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s (Ahmadiyyat) second annual gathering in Qadian, India . Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Ahmadiyyat’s founder and claimant to the office of Promised Messiah explained: “The primary purpose of this convention is to enable every sincere individual to personally experience religious benefits … among its secondary benefits is that this congregational meeting together will promote mutual introduction among all brothers … ”

So, ponder over the striking similarity between both communities.

A primarily farm-based society, Walkersville grew into a successful township in fewer than two centuries. Similarly, Ahmadiyyat began in a mainly agrarian-based Qadian, and has spread across six continents in fewer than two centuries. All the while, Ahmadi’s have lived amicably with their neighbors, and proven to be a source of economic prosperity.
Ultimately, let us make 1892 a foundation for a prosperous relationship between two peaceful communities.

ANEES AHMAD
 Waterloo, N.Y.

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