Salaga
—  District Capital  —
Salaga Location in Ghana
Coordinates: 8°33′N 0°31′W / 8.55°N 0.517°W / 8.55; -0.517
Country	Ghana
Region	Northern Region
District	East Gonja District
Population (2012)
• Total	25,472[1]
	Ranked 59 in Ghana

Salaga is a town in Ghana's Northern Region and the capital of its East Gonja District.^[2] The town is the fifty-ninth most populous in Ghana in terms of population, with a population of 25,472 people.^[1]

History of Salaga[link]

In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Salaga served as a key market town of the Ashanti kingdom, particularly for the busy regional slave trade and kola trade controlling Salaga gave the Ashanti a monopoly over trade to the North and trade to the South^[3] Situated in the southernmost reaches of the Sahel, Salaga was referred to as "the Timbuktu of the south" for its cosmopolitan population and varied trade. Like many market towns of the time, Salaga's ethnic groups, the Dagomba, Gonja, Zabarma, Hausa, Wangara (Dyula) and Nanumba, divided into separate wards. Estimates of its population in these years range from 20,000 to 50,000, with the Hausa language serving as a lingua franca. Muslims formed the most dominant religious group, though many residents retained animist beliefs as well.

Tourism in Salaga[link]

Visitors to Salaga today can still see the pond known as Wonkan bawa (Hausa for "the bathing place of a slave"), where slaves would be washed before selling to make them look as attractive as possible, and a young baobab tree on the site of the old slave market. Many of the Slaves were local Northern Ghana tribes and many were brought from central Africa^[4]

Salaga was founded by the Nanumba people as a small trading post for meat products. The name Salaga comes from the Dagbani word "salgi" which means "To get used to a place of abode" The area under the control of the Bimbila Naa and was called Bopelani, prior to the conquer of the area by the Gonja. The Salaga area just like Daboya salt mine belonged to the Mossi-Dagomba states of Maprusi, Dagomba and Nanumba. One of the Naumba princes by name Wumbei used to hunt around Bopelani (later Salga). He eventually made a home there and refusd to come back home. When it was time for him to become chief, he was asked to come back home he said "N salgi ya" , which means I am used to the place. And he refused to go back home. Thus the place became known as Salga (note the dagbani spelling). Prior to Salga becoming a major trading post, the Gonja town of Kpemba was the first Gonja settlement close to the Namumba territory. The salaga market served as a transit point through the Dagomba towns of Kpabia and Yendi to Kano in Nigeria. When Ashanti rose to power 350 years after Greater Dagomba was established and 100 years after Gonja, it conquered and controlled that section of Northern Ghana. The king of Dagomba who had an alliance with Ashanti promoted trade between Kumasi through Salaga and Yendi (capital of Dagomba) to Hausaland. This resulted in transport of slaves, cattle and groundnuts from Yendi to Kumasi via the Salaga market.^[5]

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Johnson, Marion. "The Slaves of Salaga." The Journal of African History 27.2 (1986): 341–362.
• Lovejoy, Paul E. "Polanyi's "Ports of Trade": Salaga and Kano in the Nineteenth Century." Canadian Journal of African Studies 16.2 (1982): 245–277.

External links[link]

• Ghana tourism site on Salaga

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v t e District capitals in Ghana Ashanti Region Agona Ashanti Akomadan Asiwa Bekwai Effiduase Ejisu Ejura Ofoase-Kokoben Fomena Jacobu Juaso Kodie Konongo-Odumase Kumasi Kumawu Kuntanase Mampong Mamponteng Mankranso Manso Nkwanta New Edubiase Nkawie Nsuta Nyinahin Obuasi Offinso New Town Tepa Brong Ahafo Region Atebubu Bechem Berekum Busunya Dormaa Ahenkro Drobo Duayaw Nkwanta Goaso Jema Kenyasi Kintampo Kukuom Kwame Danso Nkoranza Nsawkaw Odumase Sampa Sunyani Techiman Wamfie Wenchi Yeji Central Region Abura-Dunkwa Afransi Agona Swedru Ajumako Apam Assin Foso Awutu Breku Breman Asikuma Cape Coast Diaso Dunkwa-on-Offin Elmina Nsaba Nsuaem Kyekyewere Saltpond Twifo Praso Winneba Eastern Region Abetifi Akim Oda Akim Swedru Akropong Asamankese Asesewa Atimpoku Begoro Donkorkrom Kade Kibi Koforidua Kwabeng Mpraeso New Abirem Nkawkaw Nsawam Ofoase Odumase Krobo Somanya Suhum Greater Accra Region Abokobi Accra Ada Foah Adenta Amasaman Ashaiman Dodowa Tema Teshie-Nungua Weija Northern Region Bimbilla Bole Buipe Bunkpurugu Chereponi Damongo Gambga Gushegu Karaga Kpandae Saboba Salaga Savelugu Sawla Tamale Walewale Wulensi Yendi Zabzugu Upper East Region Bawku Bolgatanga Bongo Garu Navrongo Paga Sandema Tongo Zebilla Upper West Region Funsi Gwollu Jirapa Lambussie Lawra Nadowli Tumu Wa Wechiau Volta Region Adidome Agortime-Kpetoe Akatsi Dambai Denu Dzodze Nkonya Ahenkro Ho Hohoe Jasikan Nkwanta Kadjebi Keta Kete Krachi Kpandu Kpassa Kpeve Sogakope Western Region Agona Nkwanta Asankragua Axim Bibiani Bogoso Daboase Ellembelle Enchi Essam Half-Assini Juaboso Sefwi Akontombra Sefwi Wiawso Sekondi Shama Takoradi Tarkwa Wassa-Akropong index Regional capitals in bold Regions of Ghana — Districts of Ghana — List of cities in Ghana

Coordinates: 8°33′N 0°31′W / 8.55°N 0.517°W / 8.55; -0.517

Khalifatul Masih V Leader of the Faithful (Amir al-Mu'minin)
Khalifatul Masih V
Caliphate
April 22, 2003 to Present
Preceded by	Mirza Tahir Ahmad
Personal Information
Name	Mirza Masroor Ahmad
Born	(1950-09-15) September 15, 1950 (age 61) Rabwah, Pakistan
Spouse(s)	Sahibzadi Amatul Sabooh Begum (m. 1977)
Children	2
Residence	London, England
Alma mater	University of Agriculture, Faisalabad Talim-ul-Islam College
Parents	Mirza Mansoor Ahmad Sahibzadi Nasira Begum
Signature

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Mirza Masroor Ahmad (Arabic: ميرزا مسرور أحمد Urdu: مرزا مسرور احمد) (born September 15, 1950) is Khalifatul Masih V, the spiritual leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He was elected as the fifth successor of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad on April 22, 2003, a few days after the death of his predecessor Mirza Tahir Ahmad, the fourth Caliph for the Ahmadiiya Muslim Community. As the current Khalifatul Masih, Mirza Masroor Ahmad is guiding the Community through a time of widespread skepticism and animosity^{[citation needed]}towards Islam.

Early life[link]

Mirza Masroor Ahmad was born on September 15, 1950 in Rabwah, Pakistan, the global headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community at the time. Masroor Ahmad attended and graduated from Talim-ul-Islam High School and obtained his BA from Talim-ul-Islam College, both located in Rabwah. In 1976, Masroor earned his Master of Science degree in Agricultural Economics from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Ghana[link]

Having served the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in various capacities, Masroor Ahmad served in Ghana for over 8 years.^[1] He established the Ahmadiyya Secondary School in Salaga, a school in the northern region of Ghana, where he served as principal for 2 years. His success with the school in Salaga made him an obvious choice as principal of the Ahmadiyya Secondary School in Essarkyir, located in the centreal region of Ghana. There he served as principle for 4 years.^[1]

After his tenure as principal, Masroor Ahmad was appointed as the manager of the Ahmadiyya Agricultural Farm in Depali located in the northern region of Ghana where he served for two years. He successfully planted and nurtured wheat for the first time in Ghana. The experiment of planting, growing and nurturing wheat as an economic crop in Ghana was exhibited at an international trade fair and the results were submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture of Ghana.^[1][2]

Pakistan[link]

Shortly after serving in Ghana, Masroor Ahmad returned to Pakistan and was made responsible for finances on March 17, 1985. He also served as the Director of Education within the Community in Pakistan and on December 10, 1997 he was appointed as Nazir A'ala (Principle Director) and local president until his election as Khalifatul Masih.^[1]

Imprisonment[link]

In 1999, a resolution was presented in the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab which demanded that the name of Rabwah be changed because that name appeared in the Qur'an. The resolution passed without much debate and the name of Rabwah was officially changed to Chenab Nagar. Signage was placed in prominent parts of Rabwah which bore the new name. A few days later, a F.I.R. (criminal complaint) was filed accusing certain members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for erasing a sign which bore the new name as well a passage from the Qur'an. Though the complaint didn't mention any names, a case was registered, resulting in the arrest of Masroor Ahmad and a few other senior members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. They were imprisoned for 11 days with their bails being rejected but were eventually released on May 10, 1999.^[1]

Caliphate[link]

Masroor Ahmad was elected as Khalifatul Masih V on April 22, 2003 at 11:40pm GMT, a few short days after the demise of his predecessor Mirza Tahir Ahmad. Imam Ataul Mujeeb Rashed, Secretary Majlis-e-Shura announced the results of the election that night as follows:

It is announced for the information of all members of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community that following the Maghrib and Isha prayers, the Majlis Intikhab Khilafat (the Electoral College) established by Hadrat Khalifatul Masih II, Musleh Maud (the Promised Reformer) convened at the Fazl Mosque London today, Tuesday 22nd April 2003, under the chairmanship of Respected Chaudhry Hameed Ullah Sahib. Pursuant to the rules and regulations, each member took an oath of allegiance to Khilafat-i-Ahmadiyya. After this, they elected the most respected Sahibzada Mirza Masroor Ahmad as Khalifatul Masih V. The members of the Majlis Intikhab Khilafat immediately had the honour of taking the pledge of initiation at the blessed hand of Hadhrat Amir al-Mu'minin Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah assist him with His Mighty help and Allah grant him a long life, and have also had the honour of meeting Hadhrat Amir al-Mu'minin.

Alhamdulillah. May Allah the Exalted in approval make this election most blessed. Ameen. Our Merciful and Gracious God! O our Noble and Loving Lord, we are grateful to You that You have bestowed us with Your Grace and the Second Manifestation and have once again changed our state of fear to that of peace. O our Possessor of Power and Authority and Self-Subsisting and All-Sustaining God, we bear witness that once again Your Messiah and Mahdi’s prophecy as stated in the journal Al-Wasiyyathas materialised with full glory and magnificence.^[1]

— Ataul Mujeeb Rashed, Secretary Majlis-e-Shura, After the election of Khalifatul Masih V on April 22, 2003

Today he frequently tours around the world, visiting countries for the Community's Jalsa Salanas (annual gatherings). Masroor Ahmad also regularly leads prayers at Fazl Mosque in London, England, the current global headquarters for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community as well Friday prayers from Baitul Futuh Mosque, in Morden, London.^[1]

The Prime Minister of Canada, Stephen Harper (left), sits next to Mirza Masroor Ahmad at the grand opening to the public of Baitun Nur, the largest mosque in Canada, on July 5, 2008

Caliphate Centenary[link]

On May 27, 2008, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community celebrated the centenary anniversary of the establishment of Khilafat.^[3] Mirza Masroor Ahmad spoke at a large gathering of community members in the Excel Center in London, England and performed the International Bai'at with Ahmadis worldwide.^[4] This was relayed around the world via the Community's television channel, MTA with a live link up to Ahmadiyya, India, the birthplace of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad and original global headquarters before the partition of India in 1947.^[5][6][7]

A Jalsa Salana celebrating the centenary anniversary of Khalifat was planned in Qadian for December, 2008. This gathering was to mark the end of celebrations of the centenary. However, due to the Mumbai bomb-blasts and the resulting security situation, Masroor Ahmad canceled his participation in the gathering at Qadian and returned to London.^[8]

Message of Peace to Pope Benedict XVI[link]

On December 6, 2011, Mirza Masroor Ahmad sent a direct message to Pope Benedict XVI calling for the Pope to use his influence to encourage religious tolerance and the establishment of human values throughout the world.^[9]

Advising Ahmadis of the harms of Facebook[link]

He in many of his sermons has cautioned Ahmadis against Facebook.^[10][11][12]

However in his own words, addressing a question by an Ahmadi girl about Facebook, he has stated that:

I have never forbidden Facebook for any Ahmadi. I have only stated that it should be utilized, if needed at all, with common sense and proper use that doesn't go against the teachings of Islam. It has more bad things in it than benefits. Those who want to hear my advice should act upon it as it is better for them, and those who choose to refuse it can refuse it if they wish.^[13]

— Mirza Masroor Ahmad

Warning of World War III and Message to Israel[link]

On March 5, 2012, Mirza Masroor Ahmad wrote letters to Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to avoid war between their countries and warning both the leaders that if this tension escalates it may turn toward World War III and involve nuclear weapons.^[14]

Discussion about a possible third world war is a repeated subject in his Friday Sermons of late 2011 and 2012, whereupon he went as far as to advise the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to stockpile food for a month because he feels the war is imminent.^[15][16]

He also said in his epistle to Pope Benedict XVI on December 6, 2011 that:

Many small wars are going on in the world today and there is a need to stop them otherwise these could lead to a world war which could bring untold destruction. It is with regret that if we now observe the current circumstances of the world closely, we find that the foundation for another world war has already been laid. As a consequence of so many countries having nuclear weapons, grudges and enmities are increasing and the world sits on the precipice of destruction.^[17][18]

— Mirza Masroor Ahmad

Warnings to Iran, USA and Canada[link]

He later sent messages to President Barack Obama of the USA, Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada, and President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad of Iran warning them of the destruction and ramifications of nuclear warfare, on March 25, 2012.^[19][20]

Condemning of Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia's Anti-Church Edict[link]

Khalifa of Islam condemning Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia's fatwa

On April 8, 2012, Mirza Masroor Ahmad condemned the fatwa (edict) of Abdul Aziz al-Shaikh, Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia calling for the destruction of all churches in Saudi Arabia and surrounding Arab states.

I was shocked and very saddened to learn that Saudi Arabia’s Grand Mufti has called for all Churches in the region to be destroyed. What he has said is completely against the teachings of Islam and must be condemned absolutely. We find that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) spent his entire life preaching peace, tolerance and justice. Thus there can be no other conclusion than to say that what the Grand Mufti has said is completely wrong and displays a complete lack of understanding of Islam on his part.^[21]

— Mirza Masroor Ahmad

He further quoted the Qur'an to justify his condemnation of the edict:

الَّذِينَ أُخْرِجُوا مِنْ دِيَارِهِمْ بِغَيْرِ حَقٍّ إِلَّا أَنْ يَقُولُوا رَبُّنَا اللَّهُ وَلَوْلَا دَفْعُ اللَّهِ النَّاسَ بَعْضَهُمْ بِبَعْضٍ لَهُدِّمَتْ صَوَامِعُ وَبِيَعٌ وَصَلَوَاتٌ وَمَسَاجِدُ يُذْكَرُ فِيهَا اسْمُ اللَّهِ كَثِيرًا وَلَيَنْصُرَنَّ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَنْصُرُهُ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ

Those who have been driven out from their homes unjustly only because they said, ‘Our Lord is God’ — And if Allah did not repel some men by means of others, there would surely have been pulled down monasteries and churches and synagogues and mosques, wherein the name of God is oft commemorated. And Allah will surely help one who helps Him. Allah is indeed Powerful, Mighty

— ^{[Quran 22:40]}

Inauguration of Darul Amaan Mosque (Abode of Peace) in Manchester, UK[link]

Darul Amaan Mosque, Manchester, UK

On 27th April, 2012, Mirza Masroor Ahmad inaugurated Darul Amaan mosque in Manchester, UK, with the full support of the Manchester City Council.

The mosque is reportedly the second largest in Western Europe and can accommodate up to 2,000 worshippers.^[22]

Controversies[link]

Pope Benedict XVI Islam controversy[link]

On September 12, 2006, while Pope Benedict XVI was lecturing at the University of Regensburg, he quoted the opinion of Byzantine Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos, "Show me just what Muhammad brought that was new and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached".^[23] The quotation drew criticism from a number of individual governmental representatives and Muslim religious leaders including Khalifatul Masih V Mirza Masroor Ahmad.

As the leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Masroor Ahmad disapproved of the Pope's view on Islam, stating that the Pope had been irresponsible and lacked knowledge of Islam. He explicated the 'inherent peaceful teachings of Islam' and the Qur'an and sought to remove misconceptions regarding Jihad and the Islamic Prophet Muhammad, in light of references made by European writers in his Friday Sermon on September 15, 2006.^[24]

2010 Quran-burning controversy[link]

The plan to burn the Qur'an by the Dove World Outreach Center on the 9th anniversary of 9/11 attacks was highly condemned by Masroor Ahmad at the Baitul Futuh mosque in London, England. He stated that "religious extremism, be it Christian extremism, Muslim extremism or any other kind, is never a true reflection of the religion".^[25][26] The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community also held a "Faith Day" with representatives of other faiths as a response to the Qur'an burning.

2010 Ground Zero mosque controversy[link]

In 2010, plans were being made to build a 13-story Muslim community center located two blocks from the World Trade Center site in Lower Manhattan, New York. Although the Park51 building would not be visible from the World Trade Center site,^[27] opponents of the project have said that establishing a mosque so close to Ground Zero would be offensive since the hijackers in the September 11, 2001 attacks were Islamic terrorists.

Mirza Masroor Ahmad commented on the plan to build a mosque near ground zero where he stated:

If a mosque is built at the proposed site, then the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community would like to see churches, synagogues, Hindu places of worship and places of worship of all other religions also built near Ground Zero. That would be a good example of how from an act of evil and terror has emerged unity and peace.^[28][29]

— Mirza Masroor Ahmad

Geert Wilders controversy[link]

Addressing Wilders directly, Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

Listen carefully – You, your party and every other person like you will ultimately be destroyed. But the religion of Islam and the message of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) will remain forever. No worldly power, no matter how powerful and no matter how much hatred they bear towards Islam, will ever succeed in erasing our religion.^[30]

— Mirza Masroor Ahmad

In reply to the statement, Wilders asked Piet Hein Donner, Interior Minister of Holland if the government considered this a threat and if they would take any action against Ahmad. Donner replied that he saw no threat as Ahmad only threatened the destruction of Wilders through peaceful prayer and not violence, and that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community worldwide are known to be peaceful.^[31]

Response to persecution[link]

Lahore Massacre[link]

On May 28, 2010, two Ahmadi mosques in Lahore, Pakistan came under attack from the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan Punjab wing. The attacks were carried out nearly simultaneously at Darul Al Zikr Mosque in Garhi Shahu and Bait Al Noor Mosque in Model Town, both 15 km apart. Ninety-four people were killed^[32] in the incident (including one attacker) with 108 injured.^[33] Another attacker was captured by the worshippers.

Mirza Masroor Ahmad issued two press releases urging members of the Community to exercise patience and prayers and that in response, 'no inappropriate action would be shown by any Ahmadi'.^[34] He subsequently delivered a Sermon giving details of the two attacks followed by a series of sermons^[35] in which he paid tribute to each of the martyrs, detailing their services to the Community.

Muslim Television Ahmadiyya[link]

Following the achievements of his predecessor Khalifatul Masih IV, Mirza Masroor Ahmad launched an additional two channels on Muslim Television Ahmadiyya: MTA 2 directs special programmes in European languages such as English and German while MTA Al Arabiya broadcasts to the Arabic speaking communities in Middle East, North Africa and North America.^[36]

Writings and speeches[link]

Several speeches delivered by Mirza Masroor Ahmad in the form of Friday Sermons or speeches given at Jalsa Salanas or other conferences have been compiled into book format. One such book is the "Conditions of Bai'at and Responsibilities of an Ahmadi" which details the importance of the Ten Conditions of Bai'at in reference to the teachings of the Qur'an and the practices of Islamic Prophet Muhammad.^[37]

Family, marriage and children[link]

Masroor Ahmad is the son of Mirza Mansoor Ahmad and the grandson of Mirza Shareef Ahmad, the son of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. His mother is Sahibzadi Nasira Begum, the eldest daughter of Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad, the second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Masroor Ahmad has two brothers: Mirza Idrees Ahmad (deceased) and Mirza Maghfoor Ahmad and two sisters: Amatul Qudoos and Amatul Raoof.

He married Sahibzadi Amatul Sabooh Begum, the daughter of Syed Daud Muzaffar Shah and Amtul Hakeem Begum (daughter of Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad) on January 31, 1977. He has a daughter Amtul Waris Fateh and a son Mirza Waqas Ahmad.

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mirza Masroor Ahmad

• Preaching peace and tolerance in the face of persecution
• Ahmadiyya Muslim Community International

Published sermons[link]

The following is a list of sermons of Khaliftul Masih V that have been published in book form:

• The Conditions of Bay'ah and the Responsibilities of an Ahmadi
• A Response to the Pope's Remarks about Islam
• The Blessed Model of Prophet Muhammad and the Caricatures
• Islam - A Peaceful Religion
• Exemplary Compassion of Prophet Muhammad
• Speeches and Articles in the Review of Religions

v t e Ahmadiyya topics Beliefs and practices Five Pillars of Islam Six articles of faith Qur'an Hadith Sunnah Distinct views Prophethood Jesus Jihad Evolution Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Prophecies Claims Writings Death Literature Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam Jesus in India Noor-ul-Haq Victory of Islam Malfoozat Tafseer-e-Kabeer Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Successors of the Messiah: I II III IV V Jalsa Salana Mosques MTA International Miscellaneous Persecution Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement Category:Ahmadiyya Portal:Ahmadiyya