Jan Feb 2010 - Ahmadiyya Gazette Canada

more. But the tiny, industrious
and diligent survives.”
Ahmadis are in minority in
Pakistan as far as the numbers
go. (Here it is important to note
that believers in the truth of the
Holy Prophetsa of Islam are in
minority in the world.)
We should not be upset if
someone refers to us as a
“minority” in Pakistan or
elsewhere in the word. What
the Holy Qur’ān conveys to
us is that there is more chance
for creative minorities to excel
than the powerful majorities.
History tells us that the dead
weight of numerical majorities
never accepted the truth, with
some exceptions. Only the
young, the weak and politically
insignificant of the society
were blessed with the courage
and foresight to do otherwise.
Despite the apparent strength of
the majority, the truth triumphed
against which this majority had
ganged up.
That was the time when modern
political democracies were nonexistent.
In modern times there
is a new mood among people
and nations, which encourages
pluralism and diversity of
thoughts and ideas. They
explore not only new ideas and
new interpretations but also new
• Can you survive in a
world of debate, a legitimate
controversy?
• Can you exist and endure
in a community in which
criticism is free, constructive,
open and creative?
• Or, can you survive only
on the basis of your own credo
– one way only? MINE OR
NONE?
And finally adjustment to
diversity poses a big challenge to
all forms of authority especially
that which only caters to the
wishes of the majority in matters
”When the majority takes away the rights of
a minority, that’s not democracy”
Retired Chief Justice of Ontario, Honourable Roy McMurtry
and their false standards cause
them to topple and the believing
folks survive and flourish even
with their smaller numbers.
But there is a condition to that
phenomenon. This is that they
have to be steadfast in their belief
and should totally submit to the
Divine Call which is transmitted
through the Appointed
Ones. This unwavering faith
has to be supplemented and
complemented by creativeness,
diligence and foresight
because Allāh appeals to one’s
observation and common sense
constantly in the Holy Qur’ān.
Early history of Islam tells
us that old stalwarts with an
entrenched position of power in
the society and political system
dimensions and facets of those
ideas and interpretations in all
fields of human endeavours
including faith and religion.
This new mood and attitude
presents a challenge for Muslims
in general and Ahmadīs in
particular. At the same time
these exploratory ideas are
also a challenge to those who
exercise political power. This is
because people openly demand
of those wielding power that
they answer questions such as:
• Can you survive in a
world of dialogue?
of personal beliefs and faith.
GET THE MESSAGE!
I am reminded of the retired
Ontario’s Chief Justice
Honourable Roy McMurtry, who
says, ”When the majority takes
away the rights of a minority,
that’s not democracy”.
29 A Challenge to a Minority