Mubarak Mosque

Sheephatch Lane

Tilford, Surrey

GU10 2AQ

United Kingdom

Narendra Modi

Prime Minister of India

South Block, New Delhi-110011 India

2 June 2020

Dear Prime Minister,

I write to you to express my deepest sympathies and condolences to you, your government and to the people of your nation regarding the many people who have lost their lives in recent weeks due to the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This virulent disease has caused immense anxiety and distress to people from all nations, irrespective of whether they be young or old, rich or poor, mighty or weak. The virus has magnified the fallibility and frailty of human beings, whereby none of us can be certain of what tomorrow shall bring.

For some months, governments have been, according to their means, striving to control the outbreak and ultimately to eliminate the threat of COVID-19 as quickly as possible. Your government has also taken measures to combat the spread of the virus and to treat those who are suffering from its ill-effects and, thankfully, the results of the preventative measures and treatments seem to be working and have slowed the spread of the coronavirus.

Nonetheless, I consider it my duty and obligation, as the worldwide religious leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, to draw your attention towards my firm conviction that this pandemic must give all nations and their leaders pause for thought. I steadfastly believe that relying solely on material and worldly means to confront the exceptionally perilous situation the world faces is inadequate and insufficient. Rather, all nations must question why and how this virus has spread so rapidly, wreaked so much misery and caused for much of the world to be brought to a complete standstill. Through mere human activity it would not have been possible for this virus to have had such extensive and debilitating consequences and so, as a religious leader and a person of faith, I believe that the tribulations of the past few weeks have occurred according to the Decree of God Almighty and as a grave warning to mankind to reform and to forgo all forms of injustice and cruelty. This pandemic is a glaring message to mankind directing the people of the world to turn towards God Almighty and to fulfil His rights and those of our fellow human beings.

I should clarify that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was established in 1889 in the small Indian village of Qadian and its Founder, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be upon him), claimed that he was sent as a Reformer by Allah the Almighty. He was charged with reforming humanity by bringing them back towards their Creator and by drawing the attention of all mankind towards fulfilling their responsibilities and duties to one another.

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be upon him) said:

“The matter of a person’s faith or disbelief will be decided in the Hereafter. These natural disasters or calamities that occur or through which the nations of the past were destroyed were not merely due to their disbelief. Rather, they were ruined as a result of their arrogance, transgressions and cruelties. Even the Pharaoh did not perish due to his disbelief, rather due to the injustices and brutalities he perpetrated.”

Moreover, it is not enough for us to simply be aware of our past, rather it is vital we learn the lessons that history imparts to us. Hence, we must not ignore or consider insignificant the way in which natural disasters, catastrophes or pandemics are occurring. Instead, we should acknowledge the fact that they are a manifestation of Divine Decree and a warning for mankind to relinquish all forms of injustice and to recognise God Almighty as the Creator of all Creation. In order to satisfy and draw nearer to God Almighty, it is necessary for mankind to fulfil His rights and those of His Creation.

Recently, Pope Francis publicly expressed his fear that if he were to ask God Almighty if He was satisfied with the conduct of humanity, God would respond by expressing His displeasure. Furthermore, Pope Francis implied that the prevalence of natural disasters was a response and reaction to the wrongs and negligence of today’s world. I concur with these sentiments and consider it imperative that the world’s leaders, governments and the public pay serious attention to the stark reality before us.

In light of the prevailing circumstances, it is my sincere and humble request that where your government is forming and enacting policies to stop the spread of the coronavirus, as the leader of your nation, you should also encourage the citizens of your country to fulfil the rights of one another and to be ready to make personal sacrifices in the cause of humanity.

Similarly, your government should strive to ensure the peace and security of society, both within your country and at a broader, international level. I sincerely request that you uphold the demands of justice and integrity by seeking to fulfil the rights of your own people and of all other nations.

Indisputably, COVID-19 has shaken the world’s economy to its very core and patently the coming weeks, months and years ahead will be exceedingly hazardous and challenging. Indeed, most people do not yet fully appreciate how precarious the world will be just a few months from now. If history teaches us anything it is that when governments selfishly prioritise their own national interests over and beyond the collective interest the results are invariably catastrophic. Inevitably, economic or trade wars occur that, in turn, foster

hatred and jealousy and ultimately lead to open warfare and bloody conflicts in which unimaginably destructive weapons are unleashed obliterating all that is before them.

Consequently, with all humility and sincerity, I urge you as the leader of your nation to formulate policies that are based on justice so that the world may be saved from further misery and destruction.

With all my heart, I hope and pray that you will pay heed and take seriously my earnest words. For the sake of the peace of your nation and the wider world, I pray that you play your role in the formation of economic and geopolitical policies that respect the rights of all parties and through which all peoples and nations can benefit and unite.

May Allah the Almighty enable you and all other world leaders to act for the betterment of humanity and to leave behind a legacy of peace and prosperity for those who follow in our stead.

With best wishes and prayers,

Yours sincerely,

MIRZA MASROOR AHMAD

Khalifatul Masih V

HEAD OF THE WORLDWIDE AHMADIYYA  MUSLIM  COMMUNITY