Young Muslims turned up at London’s rail and underground stations in force – to collect money for the Poppy Appeal.

This included the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) residing in Southall, Ealing and Acton.

Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) this year again helped The Royal British Legion as a mark of good citizenship and a testament to the Islamic edict of demonstrating loyalty to the country.

They paid tribute to the valuable role Britain played in the fight against fascism - and the continuing need to be ever vigilant to the threat of extremism.

More than 100 volunteers from the group were stationed at over 40 Zone 1 train and tube stations in the city of London on Saturday 29th October and Monday 31st October.

This is part of a nationwide campaign by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to contribute to the country in different ways.

This has included blood drives where Ahmadi Muslims give blood; charity walks; peace conferences and interfaith meetings.

The Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

"Muslims are obliged to be loyal to the country in which they live. Honouring those who fought to defend and safeguard one's country is an important principle of Islam."

Fahim Anwer, President of the AMYA in the UK, said: "We are again delighted and proud to support the Poppy Appeal which provides financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served or who are currently serving in the British Armed Forces, and their dependents."

Russell Thompson OBE, Director of Fundraising at The Royal British Legion, said: "We are grateful to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association for collecting for this year’s Poppy Appeal and for supporting those who are serving in Afghanistan today, veterans of past conflict, and their families. The money they raise will make it possible for the Legion to provide our beneficiaries with £1.4million every week in direct welfare support.”

Mayor of London, Boris Johnson said: "I am thrilled to support this fantastic initiative by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association to raise money for The Royal British Legion."

"Showing support for this most worthy of causes is absolutely in keeping with the Islamic teachings of empathy, charity, generosity and compassion."

Note:
The Ahmadiyya are not recognised as Muslims by the Government of Pakistan. Neither are they recognised as Muslims throughout the Muslim world.

Christians do not call themselves Jews even though they believe in Moses. Neither would Jews accept Christians calling themselves Jews.

Muslims do not call themselves Christians even though they believe in Jesus. Neither would Christians accept Muslims calling themselves Christians.

The Ahmadiyya call themselves Muslims and are not accepted as Muslims for 2 reasons. The Prophet Muhammad was the final prophet and his teachings rank above all others.

The Ahmadiyya have their own prophet and their own teachings.

Update:
The Ahmadiyya insist that they believe in Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as the last law-bearing prophet and that Ahmadiyya teachings are according to the Quran and Hadith. They insist that they are Muslim.

But they also believe that their spiritual leader Mirza Ghulam Ahmad was the Promised Messiah (Second Coming of Christ) and the Mahdi. This has always been rejected by the Christians and Muslims.

The Muslims base their rejection on evidence from the Quran and the Hadith.

Update by Ahmadiyya Muslim Association UK:

We have strong objections to the notes that are added after the story.

We are Ahmadi Muslims, we believe in all the teachings of Islam, and believe that the Holy Prophet Muhammad is Khataman Nabiyyeen. There are differences amongst various sects of Islam, but such differences should not be used to declare people as non-Muslim. In fact no one has that right as religion is between man and God. Such issues have plagued Pakistan and we should not be importing the short sighted, narrow and intolerant views to the UK.

In response to the ‘notes’ after the story, we would like to make the following specific points:

• If the 4 mosques of Southall do not consider us Muslim then that does not make us non-Muslim. We are Muslims and no one can deny us that right.
• Where does one get that ‘Jews wouldn’t accept Christians calling themselves Jews’. OR, ‘Christians wouldn’t accept Muslims calling themselves Christians’. This is all made up. Why not be more positive and say that we should respect all prophets and all faiths?
• Ahmadis too accept that the Prophet Muhammad was the Khataman Nabiyyeen and is the best prophet. He was the final law-bearing prophet and his teachings rank above all others. No new prophet can come with a new book or new teachings.
• It’s untrue to say that the Ahmadiyya have their own prophet and their own teachings. Our Prophet is the Holy Prophet Muhammad and we follow the teachings of Islam. It’s just that Ahmadi Muslims accept that the Promised Messiah and al-Mahdi has arrived, whilst other Muslims are still awaiting the al-Mahdi.