Ahmadiyya Muslim leader denounces extremism, promotes tolerance

Muslim leaders are not doing enough to denounce extremism, says the head of the world's Ahmadiyya Muslims.

"We need the message of love and harmony," Ahmadiyya Caliph Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said Monday at Saskatoon's Prairieland Park.

"The Ahmadiyya community is doing this thing. There should have been more communities to spread this message, but they are not discharging their duties. We feel our responsibility that we should spread the true message of Islam."

The Caliph is expected to open a Regina mosque later this week as part of his western Canadian tour. He also met recently with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

The Caliph also implored the media to think about how they report on terrorism and other violence.

"If a Muslim does something wrong, you say it is the teaching of Islam. If a Christian or any other person does something, you say he's a madman," The Caliph said.

The Ahmadiyya movement was formed in India in the 19th century and now has between 10 to 20 million followers worldwide. The Caliph is visiting hundreds of Ahmadi Muslims and government officials during his visit to Saskatoon.