The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Ireland welcomed guests from diverse backgrounds to the Maryam Mosque in Galway for a special event on Sunday last for the Mosque Open Day and 16th Interfaith Conference. Under the theme, ‘The Prophets: A Covenant with God’, this gathering served as a platform for dialogue and understanding.
The event attracted over 100 attendees representing various faiths and ethnicities, including distinguished guests such as the Mayor of Galway Eddie Hoare, TD Éamon Ó Cuív, TD Mairéad Farrell, Cllr Alan Cheevers, and members of Garda Síochána. Christian, Muslim, and Buddhist faith leaders also graced the occasion.
A highlight of the Interfaith Conference was the International Voices for Peace campaign, which has been actively promoted across Ireland. This campaign aims to foster lasting global peace and end the conflict in Gaza.
The proceedings commenced with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an, accompanied by English and Irish translations, setting a solemn and inclusive atmosphere. Dr. Anwar Malik, President of the community, extended a warm welcome to all attendees. In his address, Dr Malik emphasized the conference’s purpose: ‘to seek common ground and mutual understanding in a world too often divided by discord’. He shared the community’s guiding principle: ‘Love for All, Hatred for None’.
Following Dr Malik’s remarks, a presentation highlighted the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s introduction and its humanitarian efforts worldwide. Notable charitable activities in Ireland, including annual charity walks and cycles, raising money for local charities. The presentation mentioned the tireless efforts of His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the current Head of the organization based in the UK, in spreading the message of peace to world leaders.
His Excellency Mayor Cllr. Eddie Hoare, admired the peace efforts and charitable work of the community in Ireland and said:
‘Your community is doing a campaign called ‘Voices for Peace’ not only here in Ireland but across the world to stop the current conflict in Gaza and to avoid a third world war. This belief in moderation and restraint has to be commended and indeed admired… I have learned also of the great charitable work that your community are renowned for, and this outreach is to be admired and indeed welcomed.
“From the charity walks that you have organised every year for the last numbers of years in both Dublin and indeed in Galway and the recent charity cycles in which you raised over 80000 for Irish charities and that needs to be and should be commended. It’s charitable works such as this that the Ahmadiyya community are involved in, is helping our society together,” he said.
