Today marks the completion of 75 years since India attained independence. All Indians are celebrating this special occasion as ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ with great zeal and feelings of gratitude. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, India extends heartfelt Independence Day wishes on this occasion to all the inhabitants of India. We also commemorate the sacrifice of those great souls who laid down their lives for India’s independence and because of whom our generations got the opportunity to breathe in free air.

India is a democratic republic, of which, every inhabitant participates equally in its progress and development. Hence, the occasion of Independence Day reminds us of the responsibilities we owe to our nation and to each other as the citizens of this country.

Enjoining his countrymen to have respect and consideration for one another, the Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as states:

My countrymen, a religion which does not inculcate universal compassion is no religion at all. Similarly, a human being without the faculty of compassion is no human at all. Our God has never discriminated between one people and another. This is illustrated by the fact that all the potentials and capabilities which have been granted to the Aryans have also been granted to the races inhabiting Arabia, Persia, Syria, China, Japan, Europe and America….. These attributes of God teach us the lesson that we, too, should behave magnanimously and kindly towards our fellow human beings and should not be petty of heart and illiberal.

The Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad^aba states:

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) himself taught that the ‘love for one’s nation is a part of faith.’ Thus, sincere patriotism is a requirement in Islam. To truly love God and Islam requires a person to love his nation. It is quite clear, therefore, that there can be no conflict of interest between a person’s love for God, and love for his country. As love for one’s country has been made a part of Islam, it is quite clear that a Muslim must strive to reach the highest standards of loyalty to his chosen country, because that is a means of reaching God and becoming close to Him. Hence, it is impossible that the love a true Muslim holds for God could ever prove to be an impediment or barrier preventing him from displaying true love and faithfulness towards his country.

Islam enjoins the observance of the laws of the land and advises the inhabitants of any country to refrain from any act which is immoral, objectionable and has any aspect of rebellion in it.

On this occasion, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, India gives this message to all the citizens of the country that they should play their positive and significant roles in establishing peace in the nation and strive for its progress and welfare. We hope and pray that this Independence Day celebration will prove beneficial in bridging the divide between the rich and the poor, eliminating the differences based on caste, creed and colour, and making the religion of humanity prevail over all emotions.

We pray that God Almighty may make our beloved country India a haven of peace and enable it to achieve great progress. Amin.