Ahmadiyya Muslims - against all forms of violence
Musa Bin Masran tells press and radio of solomons

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The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association of the Solomon Islands has emerged from a fortnight of controversy with its reputation enhanced in the eyes of the islands’ communities.

The association, whose headquarters are based at West Kola'a Ridge in Honiara, the capital of the Solomons, has been in the public eye after the daily newspaper The Solomon Star claimed on August 8 that Australia had "turned its spotlight on the Muslims in Solomon Islands" following a request from Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer for police in the Solomons to monitor the activities of local Muslims. The request was said to have been made in light of the recent suicide attacks on London's transportation system.

On August 10 the Solomon Star reported that there were two Muslim communities working independently of each other, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association and the Muslim League. The Missionary in Charge of the Ahmadiyya Association Musa Bin Masran told the Star, "we the Ahmadiyyas, are moderate Muslims. We are against all forms of violence”.

On August 11, the Ahmadiyya Association, represented by Mr Musa and Muhammad Asad Leslie, the Secretary General, met Patrick Cole, Australian High Commissioner, at the High Commission. Anita Butler, the Deputy High Commissioner, was also present as well as members of the Australian Federal Police. Two representatives from the Muslim League where as present.

"We the Ahmadiyyas, are moderate Muslims. We are against all forms of violence”. The Missionary in Charge of the Ahmadiyya Association, Musa Bin Masran tells the daily The Solomon Star

Mr Cole strongly denied that Minister Downer had asked the Solomons Police to monitor the activities of Muslims in the Islands, adding that there had ever any suggestion that Solomon Islands Muslims would contemplate becoming involved in that sort of activity.

During the following week the Star ran several features on the subject, including a comprehensive article on August 16 by the Ahmadiyya Association President Mubashir Martin Rasu called "Understanding Islam". On the same day, the Star reported that High Commissioner Cole had said he was "delighted" to have had the opportunity to reassure local Muslims formally regarding Australia's position.

Mr James Tora, Minister of National Unity, Peace and
Reconciliation and Mr Musa Bin Masran, Missionary In Charge, during the
opening Pacific Peace-building Intiatives Workshop, Monday, August 15, SSEC, Central Market, Honiara.

For the rest of the week the news was as good.

On Thursday August 18, Mr Rasu, Mr Leslie, and Mr Musa met for one hour with the Police Commissioner, the Deputy Police Commissioner and an Australia Federal Police representative at Police Headquarters in Honiara. The Commissioner and his staff said they were very happy to meet the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association of Solomon Islands and added that if there were any need of assistance, to contact the police. Mr Rasu told the Commissioner that the Ahmadiyya community was a respected worldwide organisation. In return the commissioner said he would be happy to visit the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in the near future.

On Friday morning, August 19, Mr Musa was interviewed by the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation and the interview was broadcast nationwide at midday then through Friday and saturday. During the interview he reiterated that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association of the Solomon Islands totally reject violence. He took the opportunity to invite Solomon Islanders, including church leaders, to visit the mission centre at West Kola'a Ridge for a talk, a cup of tea and cake.

Ahmadiyya community with branches in over 178 countries worldwide, itself is a target of persecution by religious fanatics in countries like Pakistan, Bangladesh and Indonesia.