Source/Credit: West Hartford News
By Saima Sheikh | May 5, 2011
Connecticut Muslims belonging to the oldest Muslim-American organization in the U.S. and the first ever Mosque in Meriden, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, addressed the public about the death of Osama bin Laden and responded to the statement of President Barack Obama on Sunday night, May 3, at the Hartford Hilton Hotel regarding the notorious perpetrator of 9/11.
“We completely agree with President Obama that bin Laden was in no way a representative of Islam,” remarked Dr. Mahmood Qureshi, President of the AMC Connecticut and physician at Backus Hospital. “On 9/11, he hijacked not just a few planes but the entire religion of a billion Muslims,” lamented Qureshi. “Well, we are taking our faith back one meeting at a time and showing our fellow Americans that Islam instructs loyalty to country and service to humanity, not the mayhem that bin Laden preached.”
The venue for the questions and answers session with Connecticut Muslims about bin Laden’s message and what Islam actually instructs took place during an interfaith symposium entitled, “Sanctity of the Holy Books.” The keynote speaker from the Muslim side was an internationally recognized Imam, Mr. Naseem Mahdi, Vice-President of the National Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
"There is no doubt that the backbone of Al-Qaeda has been broken," exclaimed Mr. Mahdi. "It would be naive to think that this problem of terrorism is over...unfortunately there are breeding grounds for many more terrorists...until and unless that problem is tackled the problem of terrorism is not going to go away...we hope and pray that day will dawn upon us and we will be able to live in peace and then there will be an end to exploitation of Islam or for that matter any religion."
There were addresses also from a PhD Rabbi Dr. Seth Reimer of Temple Beth Torah in Wethersfield and Pastor Norm Erlendson of the First Congregation Church in Middletown. “We are here to show respect for all of the Holy Books. We organized an exhibition on various scriptures during the symposium,” said Qureshi about the exhibition which displayed a 200 year-old Bible and Qurans translated into multiple languages.
It was an informative and bridge-building event for everyone. Over 80 people attended the event including 40 guests. Other highlights of the meeting included a Holy Books poster exhibition on topics such as the concept of the Veil in the Quran and in the Scriptures of other faiths.
About the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community: The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, fast growing international revival movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community spans more than 195 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is the oldest American-Muslim organization.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long-awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.
Read original post here: Connecticut Muslims Respond in Public Meeting to bin Laden demise
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