Ahmadiyya conference tasks humanity on digital addiction

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat has expressed concern over the obsessive use of digital devices and platforms, advising people to exploit the technologies for righteous endeavours that would benefit the human race.

Speaking during the Ahmadiyya Jalsa Salana (2024) held in the United Kingdom, the National President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Association, U.K, Rafik Ahmed Hayat, said modern technology has pushed several people to deviate from the rules of humanity and the commandments of God.

Hayat who spoke on the topic: “Guiding against the negative trends of the contemporary age”, said rather than exploiting the gains of social media for growth and development that would benefit humanity, many are using it for dangerous acts that are detrimental to human existence.

Leader of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Worldwide, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih, had earlier expressed concern over the distractions and potential moral pitfalls presented by modern technologies such as the internet and television.

Hayat’s emphasis was on utilising these technologies in ways that are beneficial and morally aligned with Islamic values. He canvassed good relationships among neighbours, saying that using technology appropriately would make the world better and keep people away from imitating bad habits.
 
Hayat said selfish interest has overridden national interest across the world today, as many failed to cooperate to create a good environment, but rather considered amazing wealth to themselves .
 
He urged parents to be upright and strict in monitoring their children on when and how they use their phones, he quoted the co-founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates and the co-founder of Snapchat, Evan Spiegel, as saying that children should be guided against using social media.  

Hayat stressed that people must reduce the time they spend on phones while moderating the activities on the platforms, and explore the gains. He said: “We can explore educational information on sciences and technology to improve human well-being.”

Meanwhile, Huzoor had earlier called for vigilant parental oversight to safeguard children from harmful influences that are pervasive online and in the media.  
 
He said: “By purifying the environment of your home, you will ensure that the frivolities and innovations of the times do not influence your household. These are the things that undermine efforts for pure transformation and consume them like a pest.  
 
He said: “This modern-day society is considered civilised, but not everything in these developed countries is truly civilised. Some things are taught under the guise of freedom that lead away from civilisation, morals, but promote lewdness and corruption.
 
“Those who are regarded as highly developed are often engrossed in frivolities and evil, considering these as freedoms. Under the names of freedom of thought and freedom of conscience, obscene behaviours are displayed in streets, alleys, and markets. Some among us, due to a sense of inferiority, consider these behaviours as civilised and try to adopt them. They try to learn these behaviours under the name of freedom. If our homes have a religious environment and we focus on prayers, we will avoid these pitfalls.  

“In today’s environment, pay special attention to the fact that these frivolities have entered our homes through the internet and TV. Now, everyone has an iPhone, iPad, or tablet, through which they can watch indecent films and see inappropriate pictures. These are the deceitful tactics of the Dajjal that lead people away from God and religion,” Huzoor stated.