Muslim cleric: Rising antisemitism is a threat to humanity

Cleric from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community takes part in interfaith summit in Washington, warns that antisemitism part of a broader intolerance which threatens “all societies.”

By World Israel News Staff

A senior leader from the Ahmadiyya Muslim community on Monday lamented the rise in antisemitism around the world, and warned that it represented a broader trend in intolerance which threatens “global humanity.”

Khalid Hussain, a cleric from the Ahmadiyya movement, addressed the International Religious Freedom (IRF) summit in Washington DC, joining a mostly Orthodox Jewish delegation organized by the Ohr Torah Interfaith Center (OTIC).

During the event, representatives from eight persecuted faith communities, including Rohingya Muslims, Yazidis, Falun Gong practitioners, Ahmadi Muslims, Christians, Jews, and Uyghur Muslims, addressed the gathering and highlighted developments in religious persecution.

Rabbi Aharon Ariel Lavi, Managing Director of the OTIC, spoke on behalf of the Falun Gong community, while Khalid Hussain spoke on behalf of the Jewish community.

“Bringing together Khalid Hussain and our fellows demonstrates the power of interfaith dialogue to not only defend persecuted communities, but to build bridges of understanding that can transform societies,” said Lavi.

“When faith leaders unite across traditions, we show that religion can be a force for peace, justice, and mutual respect.”

In his speech, Hussain said the world “cannot look away” from the global rise in antisemitism.

Citing global statistics and recent attacks, Hussain highlighted the ongoing threats faced by Jewish communities in the US, UK, and Australia.

“Hatred and division anywhere threaten the shared humanity of all societies,” Hussain said.

“In the United States, antisemitism remains one of the most common forms of religious hate crimes, with synagogues, schools, and Jewish organizations facing threats and intimidation on a regular basis. Jewish Americans continue to live with the fear of being targeted simply because of their identity.”

Quoting the late Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel, Hussain added that “Antisemitism always starts with the Jews, but it never ends with the Jews.”

As an Ahmadiyya Muslim, he emphasized, “Rising antisemitism is not just a danger to Jewish people—it is a warning sign for the whole world. It tells us that hate is growing, that societies are dividing, and that our shared humanity is at risk. We must not look away.”