Mirza Masroor Ahmad

Mirza Masroor Ahmad is the fifth leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He holds the official title of Fifth Caliph of the Messiah and serves as a theologian. Since his election, he has traveled extensively to meet community members and address their annual gatherings.

Early life and education

Mirza Masroor Ahmad was born on 15 September 1950 in Rabwah, Pakistan. At the time of his birth, Rabwah served as the global headquarters for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He is the nephew of the fourth caliph, Mirza Tahir Ahmad, because his mother was the sister of the predecessor.

In 1999, he faced legal challenges following a resolution in the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab. This assembly demanded that the name of Rabwah be changed due to its appearance in the Qur'an. After the name was officially changed to Chenab Nagar, a criminal complaint was filed regarding the erasure of signage. Masroor Ahmad was arrested along with other senior members and remained imprisoned without bail for 11 days. He was eventually released without charge on 10 May 1999.

Career

Masroor Ahmad served the community in various capacities, including a period of over eight years in Ghana. He acted as the principal of the Ahmadiyya Secondary School in Salaga for two years. Following this success, he moved to the central region of Ghana to serve as principal of the Ahmadiyya Secondary School in Essarkyir for four years. He later managed the Ahmadiyya Agricultural Farm in Depali for two years. During his time in Ghana, he successfully grew wheat as an economic crop and submitted these results to the Ministry of Agriculture.

He was elected as the fifth caliph on 22 April 2003. This election occurred three days after the death of Mirza Tahir Ahmad. The Electoral College convened in London for the first time in the history of the community to conduct this process. His accession forced him into exile from Pakistan due to pressure from the Government of Pakistan.

Under his leadership, the global satellite TV network MTA International has expanded into several affiliated channels and radio stations. He has also established new campuses for Jamia Ahmadiyya in Ghana and the United Kingdom. He regularly leads prayers at the Al-Fazl Mosque in London and the Baitul Futuh Mosque in Morden. In 2004, he launched the annual National Peace Symposium to facilitate the exchange of ideas regarding world peace.

Masroor Ahmad has addressed several international legislative bodies on the teachings of Islam. These include the United States Congress, the European Parliament, and the Parliament of Canada. He has also spoken before the United Kingdom Houses of Parliament and the Dutch Parliament. He uses these platforms to present Quranic solutions to global problems and calls for unconditional justice in international relations.

In 2005, he responded to the Jyllands-Posten Muhammad cartoons controversy by condemning the abuse of free speech. He also criticized violent reactions from some Muslims because such actions contradict peaceful Islamic teachings. In 2006, he addressed comments made by Pope Benedict XVI regarding Islam. During a Friday Sermon on 15 September 2006, he stated that the Pope had been irresponsible and lacked knowledge of the religion.

Awards and recognition

In 2009, Masroor Ahmad initiated the Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize. This international award recognizes individuals or organizations that demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to humanitarianism and peace. He continues to host dignitaries and religious leaders at his annual peace symposia.