The Ahmadiyya, a heavily persecuted Islamic sect officially opened its largest mosque in B.C. this week underlining the need for all religions to promote peace, condemn violence, and fight for universal freedom of conscience.

The inauguration of the Baitur Rahman mosque (House of the Gracious God) at  9570 River Road in Delta, BC was led by the worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at, Mirza Masroor Ahmad.

Ahmad, the Ahmaidiya pope, who lives in exile in London is the spiritual leader the Ahmadi Muslims, a small sect of Islam with followers spread across the globe and concentrated in Pakistan, Southeast Asia and West Africa.

Most Muslims say Ahmadis are not Muslim.

The sect, founded in India more than 100 years ago, is viewed as heretical among much of the Muslim world because of a theological dispute that started with their founder, who claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus Christ, sent to reform the practice of Islam and press for nonviolence. That contradicts a central tenet of Islam that says Muhammad was the last prophet, said the Wall Street Journal.

In Pakistan, the estimated four million Ahmadis aren’t allowed to identify themselves as Muslim or vote as Muslims. Attacks on the community there has left hundreds dead. In some countries they are banned from making the Haj, or pilgrimage to Mecca, in Saudi Arabia.

But that hasn’t slowed their efforts in the U.S., where in recent years they have ramped up their profile by hosting community blood drives and making television appearances defending Islam, the WSJ said.

Unlike the larger Muslim world, which has many local and regional leaders but no singular hierarchy, the Ahmadis are organized under a clear structure that allows them to quickly mobilize public campaigns and lobbying efforts, their leaders said

Founded in 1889, the Community spans more than 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long- awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. The community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings

Ahmadiyya Muslim  fifth and current spiritual head, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, resides in the United Kingdom.

Under the leadership of its spiritual successors, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at has now built over 15,000 mosques, over 500 schools, and over 30 hospitals. It has translated the Holy Quran into over 60 languages.

 It propagates the true teachings of Islam and the message of peace and tolerance through a twenty-four hour satellite television channel (MTA), the Internet (alislam.org) and print (Islam International Publications). It has been at the forefront of disaster relief in the United States and worldwide through an independent charitable organization, Humanity First.

The  Baitur Rahman mosque will be the Ahmadiyya’s largest mosques in British Columbia and a place of worship for all.

The main building of 33,419 square feet sits on 3.8 acres. Th mosque has a 76 foot minaret and and 47foot dome.