By Qasim Akinreti, PhD, Lagos

Sir Munir-din Shams, the Managing Director Muslim Television Ahmadiyya, MTA International is on tour of three west African countries, Nigeria, Ghana and The Gambia, preaching the message of peace and mutual coexistence among the people.

Addressing a world Press Conference in Lagos Nigeria, Sir Munir-Din Shams urged the media to assist in the promotion of justice and equity among the diverse ethnic and religious groups in the country.  He urged the government to strive and ensure transparent, just and good governance at all the tiers of government.

The MTA Managing Director appreciated the viable economic reforms and its full realisation for the benefit of Nigerians should be pursued, while, the fundamental human rights of the citizens, particularly, freedom of thought, conscience, religion and media should be entrenched and protected.

Speaking on the world crisis and pathway to peace, Munir-Din Shams said Ahmadiyya Muslim Community supported two state solution to the Israelis and the Palestinians , quoting from a book entitled WORLD CRISIS AND THE PATHWAY TO PEACE written by  World head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community , His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Khalifatul Masih , who assessed the current state of the world which he described as a turbulent time where the global economic crisis continues to manifest newer and graver dangers; and where the similarities to the period just before the Second World war continue to be palpable and seems clearly  that the events are moving the world at an unprecedented pace towards a horrific third world war.

He highlighted Qur’anic principles and teachings for world leadership and peace as the recipe for the challenges confronting the world. He declared that:

• “What does Islam say in relation to international relations that are based on justice, and so a means of establishing peace? …It is a clear teaching of Islam that the people of all nationalities and all races are equal. It is also made clear that all people should be granted equal rights without any discrimination or prejudice. This is the key and golden principle that lays the foundation for harmony between different groups and nations, and for the establishment of peace.
• Today we find that there is division and separation between powerful and weaker nations. For example, in the United Nations we find that there is a distinction made between certain countries. Thus, in the Security Council there are some permanent members and some non-permanent members. This division has proved to be an internal source of anxiety and frustration and thus we regularly hear reports of certain countries protesting against this inequality. Islam teaches absolute justice and equality in all matters and so we find another very crucial guideline in Chapter 5, Verse 3 of the Holy Qur’an. 
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• Powerful and rich countries should not usurp the rights of the poor and weaker countries in an effort to preserve their own rights, and nor should they deal with the poorer nations in an unjust fashion. On the other hand, the poor and weaker nations should not seek to inflict harm on the powerful or wealthy nations whenever the opportunity arises. Instead, both sides should endeavour to fully abide by the principles of justice. Indeed, this is a matter of crucial importance in maintaining peaceful relations between countries.
• Thus, Islam has drawn our attention to various means for peace. It requires absolute justice. It requires truthful testimony to always be given. It requires that our glances are not cast enviously in the direction of the wealth of others. It requires that the developed nations put aside their vested interests, and instead help and serve the less developed and poorer nations with a truly selfless attitude and spirit. If all of these factors are observed, then true peace will be established.
• If despite all these aforementioned measures any country transgresses all limits and attacks another country, and seeks to unjustly take control of its resources, then other countries should certainly take measures to stop such cruelty – but they should always act with justice when doing so. The circumstances for acting based on Islamic teachings are detailed in the Qur’an, in Chapter 49.2 …
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Strategic Partnerships

Sir Munir – Din Shams, used the opportunity of visits to Nigeria, Ghana and the Gambia to strengthen media strategic relationships with public and private broadcasting outfits such as the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, TVC Communications, Murhi International Television, MITV and African Independent Television, AIT. In Ghana, he had meetings with Ghana Broadcasting Television, GBC and The Gambian Broadcasting Service, GBS.