The European
Union was created to unify European countries, regardless
of their differences; this was a great step towards peace
in formerly war-torn Europe. I believe the European Union
represents the endless pursuit of harmonious relations
between countries, and serves as a microcosm of the international
organization known as the United Nations.
The EU’s
motto, “Unity in diversity”, and the European
Union itself represent acceptance of diverse cultures
and nations, creating a united region, and a more peaceful
world. This motto shows that first, we are all human beings.
Once our basic human rights are acknowledged, respected,
and protected, then it will be easier to bring about unification
of a diverse world, because there will be no separation
based on economic, ethnic, or religious differences. I
am an Ahmadi Muslim, part of a minority sect in Islam,
and Ahmadis are persecuted because non-Ahmadis believe
that we have a different doctrine; however, we really
have the same basic teachings with minor differences.
If the countries of Europe have recognized themselves
as part of a greater whole, making them a step closer
to achieving “Unity in diversity”, then why
cannot the sects of Islam?
The goals of
the European Union are similar to those of the United
Nations, and the UN is an organization that is very near
and dear to my heart as an Ahmadi, because we are not
openly accepted by other Muslim groups. This violence
against Ahmadis upsets me, and the fact that the members
of the EU are part of the UN means a lot to me, since
it shows the European Union’s true dedication to
achieving unity and peace by demonstrating that when everyone
works together, the world can be a better place, one continent
at a time. If an organization like the EU can demonstrate
that Europe can come together as one entity despite the
differences between countries, then why cannot our world?
The European Union represents several ideals to me, but
by far, the most important one is a representation of
hope – hope that someday, the world will be able
to join together, as the members of the EU have, to solve
the crises of the world, and put an end to violence, such
as the persecution of Ahmadis by instilling open-mindedness
in others. Europe has been a wonderful asset in assisting
Ahmadiyyat, because in 1984, the caliph – Supreme
Head – of Ahmadiyyat was threatened with persecution
in Pakistan, and had to emigrate to London. Europe has
been incredibly welcoming to the Ahmadiyya Community,
and this open-mindedness is fostered by the EU.
The EU brings
unity to a diverse world by exposing people of different
countries to a multitude of cultures, engendering an awareness
of the various people and cultures in our world today.
I hope that someday I am blessed with the opportunity
to work closely with the EU to achieve these goals, because
the world will be a better place to live in, and I will
rest assured knowing that the European Union was the catalyst
that brought about these results.
