A day later I returned to Huzoor’s office with the draft text printed for his addresses. I also mentioned that Ghana Jamaat were holding their first ever ‘National Peace Symposium’ in a few days and had requested a written message from Huzoor to be read out at the symposium.
At first, Huzoor continued with his work and indicated he did not have the time to send a message on this particular occasion.
However, a minute or two later, Huzoor suddenly told me to start taking down dictation for a message.
I was not prepared and did not have my laptop with me and so I used the old-fashioned method of a pen and a paper to note down Huzoor’s words as he dictated.
After a few minutes, I realised I was fast running out of paper, as I only had a few sheets in my file. Huzoor noticed and took some paper from his desk and handed it to me.
Over the course of ten or eleven minutes, Huzoor dictated a very powerful, emotional and inspiring address. He spoke about why the Jamaat holds Peace Symposiums and similar events.
Huzoor said:
“At all our symposiums, we seek to break down the barriers that divide mankind and to provide solutions to the ills of the world. We use such opportunities to prove the fact that Islam is a religion of peace and a religion that motivates true Muslims to engage in dialogue with others, to exhibit tolerance and to serve humanity. We present our ideas of how to develop peace and listen to the respective ideas and views of representatives of other communities.”
Huzoor continued:
“From an Islamic perspective, we urge governments and world leaders to act with justice and argue that instead of developing opposing blocs and profiteering through the arms trade, nations should show regard for one another and fulfil each other’s rights. We appeal to them to look at the long-term future of the world, rather than to be blinded by short- termism and narrow self-interests.”
Very emotionally, Huzoor said the weapons available in the world today were lethal enough to kill millions of innocent people and to leave a ‘trail of destruction for generations to come’.
Huzoor said:
“Is this the legacy we wish to leave behind for our children and future generations? Do we desire that they weep at the horrors we have left behind for them? Is it our hope that, instead of remembering us with love and respect, they look back at us with hate and contempt? Do we want the coming generations to curse and scorn us?”
I was captivated by the awe and wisdom of Huzoor’s words and so, as Huzoor concluded his dictation, I said:
“Huzoor, even when you have little or no intention to write or dictate anything, you still end up writing very historic and memorable texts!”
Huzoor smiled and said:
“Yes, initially I did not plan to send a long message but once I started to speak the words flowed easily and without needing to pause for thought.”