Matthew attended the Baitul Futuh Mosque for the annual Peace Conference. The keynote speaker was Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, the spiritual leader of the the Ahmadiyya Muslim community.
For many years members of the Ahmadiyya community have been persecuted for their religious beliefs. Last May there was an attack on two Ahmadi mosques in Pakistan. Law enforcement agencies, the police and military were engaged in a counterattack and 94 people (including one attacker) were killed with 108 injured either during the cross fire or shot by the attackers. The attackers were said to be armed with AK-47 rifles, grenades and explosive vests. During the course of cross fire, the attackers blew themselves up, causing great damage. There was a very strong condemnation by the government of Pakistan and federal agencies.
Matthew said, “I have spoken out for the rights of many different religions and the ability for people to be free from persecution. Whether it is Christians in Afghanistan, Jews in Europe or Ahmadiyyas in Pakistan, people should have freedom for religion and freedom from religion.”
Photo: Matthew is pictured with Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V