There is no difference between following Islam as a religion and having loyalty to one’s country of residence. Being loyal and having love for one’s country is a part of the Islamic faith. The Quran states, “O ye who believe, obey God and obey the Prophet and obey those in authority from among you” (4:60). 

The word Islam means “peace.” In an ideal Islamic society, peace and harmony start at home, expanding to the community level, and spreading out to the entire world. God has provided us with the perfect way of life for every aspect of human society. Islam urges love and peace between husband and wife, gives direction to take care of our neighbors, directs Muslims to help their communities, and on the greater level, loyalty to one’s country of residence. All of these different responsibilities have one overarching goal — peace in society. 

We as Muslims are an integral part of the American society and should be clear in our actions and motivations to present us as a productive part of this society. I am proud to be a part of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which is trying to revive the actual beauty of Islamic teachings. “Love for All, Hatred for None” is the motto of this community and we believe in it with all of our hearts. People of our community, though small in number, take responsibility to deliver the true message of peace through their actions, statements and examples. Youth are very active in community and social work through the support of Humanity First, a worldwide institution. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is trying its best to be helpful in its societies and is the only Islamic establishment demonstrating the true philosophy of Islam. 

I feel it is my responsibility to convey to all people in general, but especially to my Muslim brothers and sisters, to understand our obligations toward God and particularly toward our community. Many Muslims like me in the United States come from different parts of the world to build their lives, and this country provides us with all the opportunities to do so. Being Muslim is not just a matter of returning kindness with consideration, but God also commanded us to be loyal and to have love for our country of residence. With all the other directives, which we hold dear, why do we forget about this very important aspect of Islam, which has a very clear essence of establishing peace in every society?

I want to reiterate that this is the time when the world is in great need of collaboration and harmony among different faiths and ideologies. We as Americans are part of this global village. If one person in a house is not at peace, the whole family becomes distressed; if one house in a neighborhood is disturbed, it can affect the whole society and it will not stop there. Every thing is linked with one another, but peace starts at the smallest level. We need to start with our community, our neighbors and our families.

His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the spiritual head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, had once said, “As citizens of any country, we Ahmadi Muslims, will always show absolute love and loyalty to the state. Every Ahmadi Muslim has a desire for his chosen country to excel and should always endeavor towards this objective. Whenever a country requires its citizens to make sacrifices the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community will always be ready to bear such sacrifices for the sake of the nation.”

Namode Khokher,

graduate student