Russia, the West & global catastrophe: We are at “doom’s doorstep” warns Doomsday Clock

It’s no surprise – for Ahmadi Muslims at least – that the world is on the edge of a looming global war following tensions between Russia, Ukraine and NATO. 

Two weeks ago, during a meeting of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the foreign minister of Poland, Zbigniew Rau said Europe faced the greatest risk of war in 30 years. Maybe sensing this danger, earlier this month, five of the world’s most powerful nations – the USA, Russia, China, the UK and France – agreed that “a nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought” in a (rare) joint pledge.

France, Spain, Denmark and the Netherlands have deployed additional warships and aircraft to the Baltics and Eastern Europe due to tensions with Russia. The UK and USA have begun withdrawing diplomats and embassy staff from Kyiv, Ukraine. 

Distressing standoffs between Russia and the West aren’t the only concerns; there’s plenty to worry about in 2022. 

Our world faces a crippling and evolving coronavirus, tensions in the East China Sea, civil unrests in countries like Kazakhstan, territorial disputes in Taiwan, conflicts causing severe humanitarian disasters as in Yemen, extremists rising to power in Afghanistan, conflicts across Africa, real and dangerous consequences of climate change and natural disasters, the steady rise of right-wing populism from Europe to India, sectarian and racial hate, poverty and inequality and blocks of superpowers locking horns. 

All of these catastrophes (and more) trigger sirens that something is deeply wrong with the direction humanity is headed. 

In its editorial statement on 20 January 2022, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists’ Science and Security Board (SASB) (in consultation with its Board of sponsors which includes 11 Nobel laureates) held the Doomsday Clock – “a universally recognized indicator of the world’s vulnerability to catastrophe” – to 100 seconds from midnight; meaning we are in “a stone’s throw of apocalypse.”

Their statement noted:

“[…] the members of the Science and Security Board find the world to be no safer than it was last year [2021] at this time and therefore decide to set the Doomsday Clock once again at 100 seconds to midnight. This decision does not, by any means, suggest that the international security situation has stabilized. On the contrary, the Clock remains the closest it has ever been to civilization-ending apocalypse because the world remains stuck in an extremely dangerous moment. In 2019 we called it the new abnormal, and it has unfortunately persisted.” (At doom’s doorstep: It is 100 seconds to midnight, 2022 Doomsday Clock Statement, John Mecklin, 20 January 2022)

“Global leaders and the public are not moving with anywhere near the speed or unity needed to prevent disaster”, the editorial said. 

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V^aa, for almost two decades, has been warning the world of its “dark and bleak future” if it continues with injustices and veracious vested interests. Countless times, he pinpointed a possible global war that would include nuclear warfare – but, to some, his words may have seemed far-fetched back then. Not anymore though.

Ahmadi Muslims are well aware of these past cautions, and social media posts about Hazrat Khalifatul Masih’s^aa concerns are increasing, especially with new political conditions. 

This awareness is not limited to Ahmadis. Global leaders and those who have political and social influence were warned too. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih^aa personally wrote to heads of states – twice – and has delivered speeches across the world in government headquarters to raise the alarms and urge humanity to change its ways. 

Absolute justice being the path for global peace has been his core message, inspired by the Holy Quran. To come back to our Creator and to recognise His rights and the rights of His creation have always been emphasised by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V^aa. 

But his warnings have fallen on deaf ears – at least in terms of positive action – and the situation continues to deteriorate. 

At the start of 2021, in our editorial, we asked if humanity would finally recognise its Creator. Unfortunately – and maybe not surprisingly – 2021 fared no better than previous years. 

In 2022, we sit at “doom’s doorstep”. 

No matter the situation though, Ahmadis continue to pray, following the guidance of their Khalifa, for the world to come to its senses before it’s too late. 

---