Plenary, 03 Oct 2001
Meeting date: Wednesday, October 3, 2001
Official Report
417KB pdf
Time for Reflection
To lead our time for reflection, we welcome Mr Muhammad Farogh Ahmad, the high priest of the World Islamic Mission in Glasgow.
Muhammad Farogh Ahmad (High Priest, World Islamic Mission, Glasgow):
Sir David and members of the Scottish Parliament, I thank you for inviting me and giving me the absolute honour of offering my thoughts at time for reflection on behalf of the Islamic community in Scotland.
First, I condemn the terror attacks on the World Trade Center in the US on 11 September. That was an attack on integrity, on civilisation and on humankind. I embrace and extend my deep sorrow and sympathies to the people who were killed, their families, the American people and the British people.
In the 7th century of the Christian era, there was a perfect, final and binding revelation addressed to all mankind and all times—that humanity should become one family. That revelation set the seal on unity in the religion of Islam.
The Islamic religion believes that from the unity of the creator proceeds the unity of the universe—that is, the unity of creation and the unity of purpose. In unity, any differentiation between religious and secular people is irrelevant. In Islam, we live and grow in accordance with true human nature and in harmony with the nature around us. Islam means conformity to the nature of law.
The word "salaam", which means peace, has close roots with the word "Islam" and peace forms an integral part of Islam itself. One of the ideals in Islam is the attainment of peace at all levels—peace with self-realisation, peace with fellow creatures, and co-operation, which is essential. In Scotland today, co-operation means promoting a wider acceptance of each other's roles in society and respect for differing views.
Islam considers the love of God's creation in general and of the human family. We can focus on the words of the holy prophet Muhammad—peace be upon him—who said:
"The best of you is he who is best to God's family."
If God grant that you can keep and help his children, you are blessed. Islam regards all humanity as one, where all distinctions of caste and race are obliterated.
According to Islam, human intellect, though a great and powerful asset, has its natural limits, and therefore neither the theoretical nor empirical sciences that humans have developed can lead to knowledge. The only source of true knowledge is divine guidance. That source has been open ever since the beginning of human life on earth.
Thank you very much.