Ahmadiyya&ndash;Jewish relations

Ahmadiyya–Jewish relations

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is an Islamic movement that was founded by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in the late 19th century. Judaism is another Abrahamic religious group. Ahmadis and Jews have not interacted much in the history.
Religious figures
Abraham
Both Ahmadis and Jews believe him as a prophet of God and show respect for him.
Jesus
Ahmadis believe Jesus Christ was the true Jewish messiah who had been prophesied by the earlier prophets. He came to guide Jews in the period of misguidance. Jews differ from this belief and they do not believe Jesus as their messiah. Contrary to the Jewish (as well as Christian) belief that Jesus died on the cross, Ahmadi Muslims believe that he was indeed put on the cross but survived crucifixion to die a natural death after having left Judea for the east to complete his mission to the remaining Israelite tribes residing beyond it.
Muhammad
Ahmadis consider Muhammad as the greatest prophet. They believe in the finality of prophethood with Sharia as final divine law. Prophets can come after Muhammad as his disciples from among his followers. Jews reject Muhammad's message.
Messiah
Ahmadis believes Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as the Messiah for whom all of the world is waiting. They believe him as a Messiah and Imam Mahdi however Jews are waiting for their Messiah.
Historical interaction
During the time period of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Ahmadis and Jews have not interacted directly. The first missionary was Jalal ud din Shams who was sent to Palestine in the early 1920s although his primary audience were Arabs. The second caliph of Ahmadiyya community had visited Palestine to meet a small community of Palestinian Ahmadis in 1924 before the establishment of the State of Israel. Ahmadis, like other Muslims, now live in Israel alongside Jews especially in the Kababir neighbourhood in Haifa.
Acceptance of Israel
The Ahmadis believe that the coming into existence of the State of Israel is in accord with the prophecies contained in the Bible and the Holy Quran.
Inferring from the words in 17:105: '...We shall bring you together out of the various peoples', at the time of the "Promise of the Later Days";. The Second Khalifa of Ahmadiyya Mirza Basheer-ud-Din Mahmood Ahmad in his ‘’Invitation to Ahmadiyyat’’ writes:
A similar interpretation of the Quranic verse 17:105, in the Ahmadiyya exegesis, The English Commentary of the Holy Quran:
The Ahmadiyya “ Muslim Sunrise (USA)” writes: Quoting the Quran 17:105, writes: “It was also under his (Mirza Ghulam Ahmad) Spiritual Reign that the Jews would return to the land of Palestine as was prophesied in the Holy Quran 17:105”. The ‘Ahmadiyya Times’ express similar views. The Ahmadiyya Times July 23, 2010.” ESTABLISHMENT OF ISRAEL ‘And after him We said to the Children of Israel, 'Dwell Ye in the promised land; and when the time of the promise of the Latter Days come, We shall bring you together out of various people." (17:105)”. Creation of Israel and gathering of Sephardic, Ashkenazi and the Jews of many other different races in Israel proves the authenticity of this prophecy and hence the Quran.
The Ahmadis refer to older Interpretations like the exegesis of Muhammad ibn Jarir al-Tabari, who has also interpreted verse 17:105 to indicate the ‘promise of the Latter Days’ pointing towards the time of the advent of the Messiah.
The Head of the Ahmadiyya Community at Kababir, Sheikh Muhammad Sharif Odeh invited President Shimon Peres to an Iftar Dinner in Ramadan, the President participated and spoke well of the Community at Kababir.
In February 2017 the Members of the Philadelphia branch of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA visited the desecrated St. Louis Jewish cemetery and helped in the cleanup efforts

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