UK: 'Thank you for coming,' say the Holy Quran Exhibition organizers

"The motto of our community is “Love for all, hatred for none.... this was demonstrated on Saturday when the doors of the exhibition were open to all to attend – even some of those who initially opposed the exhibition attended."

File photo: Watford, Hertfordshire Quran Exhibition - Courtesy Lutf Islam

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: Mirfield Reporter
By Imran Jattala | February 15, 2012

The Ahmadiyya Muslim organizers of a successful exhibition of the Holy Quran at Dewsbury Town Hall two weeks ago, thanked the visitors via an open letter written to the Mirfield Reporter.

"Thank you for coming," wrote Arif Ahmad, vice president of the Spen Valley branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (AMA).

"On behalf of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Spen Valley I wish to thank all those who attended the successful Holy Qur’an exhibition that was held two weeks ago," Ahmad further wrote.

The exhibition, which was once previously called off when a small extremist Muslims group had allegedly threatened violence towards the exhibition-goers, was re-organized with more vigor and hundreds attended the event and learned about the peaceful message of Islam.

Arif Ahmad, in his open letter, thanked the police for "a very efficient, discreet and well managed operation which made sure that there were no public order issues."

In the past, according to a report published in a local newspaper, Dewsbury Reporter, there were "actually threats" and the local police had received information that there might be problems created by other Muslim groups.

Again, at the reorganized event, some opponents showed up and passed out leaflets renouncing AMA's right to organize such an exhibition.

"The motto of our community is “Love for all, hatred for none”," wrote Arif Ahmad. "... this was demonstrated on Saturday when the doors of the exhibition were open to all to attend – even some of those who initially opposed the exhibition attended."

Arif Ahmad also expressed saying that "Britain affords all of us freedom of faith, so if people of any faith wish to hold an exhibition about their holy scripture then that is excellent and we welcome it."

Ahmad says such events help to break down barriers among faiths and communities.

"As Muslims, our Holy Book is the Holy Qur’an and we invite everyone to read and study it," Ahmad further wrote in his open letter.

Dr Basharat Nazir, national spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya community in the UK expressed satisfaction at the peaceful conclusion of the event.

"Islam promotes freedom of religion for all [and] Britain also values freedom of religion," says Dr Nazir. "So of all people Muslims in Britain should be foremost to uphold this great principle."

While speaking about the efforts of some extremist elements among Muslims trying to stop Ahmadi Muslims from organizing the Holy Quran Exhibitions, Dr Nazir said that by seeking to restrict the religious rights and freedoms of others, "Muslims would be doing a disfavour to both their faith and their country."

"We, Ahmadi Muslims, read the Holy Qu'ran every single day and ... we seek to live by its code, yet we are being targeted by [other] Muslims for promoting the Holy Quran," Dr Nazir said. " [H]ow does that fit with Islam’s teachings of peace?" Dr Nazir asks rhetorically.



Read Arif Ahmad's letter here: "Thank you for coming"