Editorial

We live in turbulent times with the world at large facing a number of unprecedented crises; but can we identify a root cause to these problems? With most countries facing their worst economic depression in living memory, many have partly attributed the downturn to the unfair ‘bonus culture’ and malpractice of certain companies and individuals. Similarly the atrocious Mumbai attacks emanated from the actions of decadent terrorists with no sense of what is right, and Israel’s invasion into Palestine and merciless massacre of civilians, and the unwillingness of Muslim states to help the Palestinians, all demonstrate how divided we stand in our global village. These perturbing incidents and predicaments are united by one overarching aspect, namely that a lack of justice is involved.

The election of Barack Hussein Obama, the first black President in the history of the United States of America, brought hope for change. People from all over the world celebrated his victory because they felt that amongst other things, he would restore justice to an unjust world. Although his approach to governance has been admirable, for example he has vowed to close down Guantanamo Bay, the question arises that can changes in policies develop justice in the hearts of people, or does it simply force justice on them?

This month we include an illustration on the observance of proper justice by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, who says that real justice can only be achieved by worshipping the Creator, Who has instructed us to discharge the rights due to mankind and to put the interests of others before our own.

But does worshipping a Creator require us to adopt a religion, and if it does then which religion is the correct one? In answer to these questions Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^(as), the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi, expounds the issue of religious choice. Whereas all religions claim they are truthful, only Islam has benefitted from a reformer in these days, to infuse spiritual life into people who have otherwise forgotten the essence of faith.