The Technician Building a Greener—and More Spiritual—Future

Twenty years on construction sites can teach you a lot about structure — not just in buildings, but in life. For this seasoned technician, the hum of drills and the precision of design blueprints have always been more than a job; they’ve been a way to understand how small details shape the bigger picture.

But beyond the scaffolding and solar panels, he’s found something deeper — a spiritual framework that gives meaning to the pursuit of progress. As part of the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light and its growing community around Aba Al-Sadiq, he brings the same meticulous craftsmanship to both his profession and his faith: building systems that last, grounded in purpose.

What is your professional background, and how many years of experience do you have in this field?

My name is Hamza Kassem, and I am 41 years old. I was born and raised in Germany, although part of my roots lie in southern Lebanon. I have been working as a technician in the construction industry in Germany for over 20 years and during this time have gained a wide range of experience – from planning and execution to the technical development of modern building solutions. In recent years, my focus has increasingly shifted toward innovative technologies for building envelopes. My work mainly involves developing and implementing new materials and systems that significantly reduce a building’s energy demand while improving user comfort.

I am fascinated by how much construction methods have evolved through technological progress. Topics such as sustainability, energy efficiency, and intelligent control systems have become an integral part of my daily work. I collaborate closely with architects, engineers, and manufacturers to implement practical and future-oriented solutions. What I find particularly exciting is the combination of traditional craftsmanship with modern technology – for example, integrating photovoltaics into façades or using innovative insulation materials.

Can you tell us about your origins and childhood?

My father came to Germany with his family as a young man, hoping for a better life and safety. It was a flight from the terrible civil war that raged in Lebanon in the 70s and 80s, costing many lives. My mother is from Germany. At home, our life was shaped by Arab culture, family cohesion, and the religion of Shiite Islam. Yet, German values were always a part of my upbringing as well. I learned early on to stand between two worlds—but also that both sides could offer me something valuable: values that emphasize, above all, mutual respect for all people, never looking down on another culture, religion, or nation, and never falling into the trap of stereotypes. Even as a child, my home was a place where languages and traditions flowed into one another. This blend of two worlds gave me a deep understanding that identity is not something fixed, but is always shaped by encounters, experiences, and love. I carry these values with me to this day. I am infinitely fortunate that God placed me in the hands of my parents. I cannot thank God enough, for they have profoundly shaped who I am and where I am today.

How did you experience the balance between these two worlds?

As a child, it was often not easy. Growing up between two cultures often brings the question, usually posed from outside, of what you truly feel. A question that seems harmless but is, in reality, a call to commit to a particular culture or swear loyalty to a country. A division in a place that, supposedly, your parents had already overcome through their love. A separation I have never understood and probably never will. Sometimes I was on the edge of participation, silently observing, because my faith prevented me from joining in things that were natural for others. Despite this, I always tried to make the best of it and maintain contact with as many different people as possible, regardless of their origin. My circle of friends during my youth was very multicultural. This diversity was a beautiful aspect of my youth, yet it also sparked an inner search – for what connects us all, for truth, for God. Often I felt like a bridge between two worlds – sometimes standing in the middle, unsure of which side I belonged to more. Yet this feeling shaped me and gave me the ability to see the commonality in others, not division. I often asked myself why people build walls when bridges are so much more beautiful. Today, I know that this experience taught me to understand people without judgment. I learned that balance does not mean perfectly standing between two sides but rather combining the best of both.

When did you consciously begin exploring spirituality?

The desire to know the truth about God and myself has always been there, almost instinctively. The desire for justice and peaceful coexistence has also been deeply rooted in me. My relationship to this question was initially shaped by my Shiite background, particularly the belief in the Mahdi, who would free the world from all evil. However, I began my conscious search in my twenties. I had achieved much in life that is often called “success” – family, work, a good life. I married my wonderful wife and had two amazing sons with her. My work as a construction designer fulfilled me because I was part of creating something that originated from human thought and did not exist before. Being part of this creative process and constructing buildings that people could call home still brings me joy today. Yet, I began asking: what is my true purpose? And who is God for me, if He truly exists (even this question I critically examined) – not just in the religion I was born into?

During this time, I began deeply engaging with various scriptures, lectures, and religious traditions. I sought answers in philosophy, science, and the hearts of religions. Today, I recognize that this calling came from God, leading me step by step closer, even though I did not understand it at the time.

Was there a particular experience that led you deeper on this path?

No, it was not one single experience, but many insights that revealed themselves to me along my search. First was the birth of my children, through which I truly understood what it means to give your own life for another, should it be necessary. It was an experience I did not foresee, which dissolved a large part of my ego. Another experience was the realization that we live in an illusion, triggered by the series “The Arrivals,” which introduced me to Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq for the first time. This planted the thought that we might indeed be in the time of the Mahdi’s return. While my daily life still held me in its grip for a long time, my inner drive for understanding grew steadily. Every day brought small signs, encounters, and words that made me reflect. I began to understand that God often works in the hidden, in the unassuming moments. These insights taught me to be mindful – of what I think, speak, and do. I believe every person receives such impulses in life – the question is whether we recognize and embrace them.

How did you perceive the religion you were raised in?

I deeply respect my roots. Shiite Islam, as I learned it from my family, taught me discipline, morality, and love for God. But at some point, I began to feel that what I sought went beyond traditions. Too many questions remained unanswered. I wanted to see the light behind the words, not just the words themselves. This was not a break from the true Islam of the Prophet Muhammad and his family – rather, it was a deepening of the longing for the essence, but a break from the institution. A break that all followers of past prophets and messengers have undertaken when questioning societal norms that were taken as absolute. Whenever I could not find guidance on my own, I knew I could always return to the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and his family. They have always been my anchor. They taught me to serve God not out of fear, but out of love. I believe every religion carries a divine core, yet many see only the external shell. My search was for this core, which transcends all forms.

How did you come into contact with the Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light?

As I mentioned, I first heard of Abdullah Hashem Aba Al-Sadiq in 2008 through the series “The Arrivals.” A few years later, I learned about the message of Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan, and at that time, there was a brief exchange between Shiites active in Germany and followers of this message from Egypt. It was about the Prophet Muhammad’s testament, which Imam Ahmad Al-Hassan claimed for himself, asserting that he is the Yamani. This happened in 2011. I could not find much more about the message beyond these discussions, and in the same year, I became a father for the first time, which shifted my focus. Ten years later, this message returned to me, this time with Aba Al-Sadiq claiming to be the Qaim, also basing his leadership on the Prophet Muhammad’s testament. At that time, it felt as if a circle was closing. I sensed that all the years of my inner search had led me precisely to this point. I began reading, listening, and questioning more intensively. What fascinated me further was the clarity with which God, creation, and the meaning of life were spoken about. It was not about dogma, but about awakening consciousness – rediscovering the light within ourselves.

What convinced you that this is your path?

It was not a single sermon or teaching, but the consistent message that God always speaks to people and has always spoken. Not in a miraculous way that everyone could immediately recognize, but as He always did – through a human being, very much like us, chosen to maintain, first and foremost, a connection with people. This is the true miracle: someone who, like previous prophets and messengers, proved to be the rightful mediator between humanity and God, and that loyalty to God is only possible through his recognition. These objective traits have always been: A testament, divine knowledge, and a call to loyalty to the one God. Moreover, the state of this world drove me to act – words alone were never enough. A “just go on” attitude was out of the question. It was not only about dreaming of change in this world, but about being part of it myself, starting with me. What I always admired in the holy figures of the past was not only reading their stories as ancient tales but embracing them as part of the present. Otherwise, I would be among those who, when Imam Al-Hussein called for support against the tyrant of his time, would abandon him at the last moment, turning instead to a world that offers nothing but fleeting, luxurious days. The Ahmadi Religion of Peace and Light spoke precisely about God speaking to humanity today, that He has not abandoned us. This truth touched the core of my being. I felt this is it – what I have been seeking for so long.

How has your life changed since joining Aba Al-Sadiq’s community?

My heart has become calmer. I used to be constantly searching – for security for myself and my family, for answers. My last years were marked by restlessness and haste, which I could not explain for a long time. Today, I know I had been suppressing something, and now I feel that everything I need lies in the connection with God. I have learned to meet people with more compassion, even those who do not understand me. It is as if I have rediscovered a very primal light within me. For me, it means that God speaks alive in this world again. He shapes the world around us through Aba Al-Sadiq and his followers. He guides us when we sincerely seek Him. It is not about labels or dogma, but about light – divine light that transforms people. In this religion, I have found what my heart has always sought: a living relationship with God. I have learned to let go – of things, people, expectations. My encounters have become more honest. Life itself is now a continuous revelation.

How does your environment react to your spiritual path?

Some understand it, others don’t – and that is fine. I have not faced classic hostility from my surroundings. In the beginning, there were questions, skepticism, and criticism. But I have learned that truth is not always recognized immediately. I try to live my life in a way that speaks for itself – through love, patience, and peace. It was not unexpected, given history. Divine messages often gain most followers only after their founders are no longer among the people, a sad but true fact. People love their dead prophets, yet fight against them during their lives, without regard for losses – neither within their ranks nor outside. It is a form of madness that is very difficult to escape. Over time, I realized that many hearts open when they sense that you do not want to lecture them but approach them with honesty and love. That is, for me, the true path. 

What would you say to people today who feel lost or are seeking truth?

I would say: Do not give up the search. Speak to God honestly. He hears you. He sees you. There is nothing to hide, even if you bury it deep in your heart. He will guide you – perhaps not immediately, but in a way your heart understands. Open yourself to the light He wants to send. God is not far – He is closer than you think. He is closer than your own carotid artery. I know the fears you struggle with – fear of loss in any form, material possessions, loved ones, or even your own supposed identity. Fear of the unknown? Every day begins in uncertainty. So fight these fears, for you are already doing it daily. Then awaits true freedom – freedom from the self.

I thank God for guiding me on this path. My life in Germany, my roots, my trials – all were part of a journey to Him. Today, I know: peace begins in the heart when touched by God’s light. Let the light of God touch you, wherever you are in the world, in whatever situation you are in. He leaves no one behind.

So, let no one be left behind. Unite with one another. As God is one, so should we be one. Stand firmly against war, poverty, and oppression. Help your fellow human beings, and you will be helped. Everything returns to its origin. Let us work together to create paradise on Earth and not enter it alone. Because what value would paradise have if no one were there?

Imagine the person you love most. Close your eyes and see them vividly. With that gaze, look upon everyone else.