USA: Ahmadi Muslims participate in 21st Annual Philadelphia Islamic Heritage Festival & Parade

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Ahmadiyya Muslim Community also had the opportunity to be part of the festival by having a time slot on the stage which was utilized by reciting of Qaseeda in praise of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: AMC Philadelphia
By Maudood Bhatti | June 10, 2013

Philadelphia, known as the city of brotherly love, has a unique standing in both the American history as well as the Ahmadiyya Muslim history.  United States of America was born in Philadelphia when the former British colonies declared independence by signing the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776.  Less than 150 years later on February 15 in 1920 Mufti Muhammad Sadiq, the first missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (AMC), arrived via ship on the port of this historic city from Qadian, India bringing Ahmadiyyat to the United States.

Islamic Heritage Festival & Parade is an occasion in which Muslims of different denominations in the city come together to celebrate their heritage in the city.  It has just recently begun inviting AMC to be a part of it.  AMC has been organizing a book stall at the concluding location of the parade but this was the second time AMC joined the parade.  Prior to the festival, the community was involved in meeting with the organizers of the parade and festival and provided guidance in running the event.

This year the community participated in the parade with two large banners, one with the Kalima (Muslim creed) and the second with the motto of the community, “Love for All Hatred for None.”  Both banners were the attraction to the public as well as to other participating Muslims.  In fact, many non-Ahmadi Muslims liked getting their picture taken with the banners.  AMC was the only community in the parade which carried the Kalima banner.

The AMC also used a trailer as a float in the parade.  In addition, a lot of members joined in including men, women and children.  Riding a set of two paddle bicycle with small banners attached to it was another unique attraction in the parade.

The parade started around 1:15 PM from 6th & Market Streets and passed in front of the historic “Liberty Bell” pavilion making left onto Chestnut Street and passing in front of the historic building of Independence Hall.  The Islamic slogans raised by the Ahmadis could be heard soon after the parade started as it passed in front of the Liberty Bell pavilion and the Independence Hall.  The side roads were all blocked by the police as the parade made its way to Penn’s Landing just before 2:00 PM.  It was here where AMC had established a book stall and distributed free balloons to kids.

The festival concluded in the afternoon at Penn’s Landing which is a famous river front on Delaware river and a spot not too far from the location where Mufti Muhammad Sadiq had set his foot on the American soil nearly a hundred years ago, bringing Islam Ahmadiyyat into the shores of the United States.

Ahmadi presenters also had the opportunity to be part of the festival by having a time slot on the stage which was utilized by reciting of Qaseeda in praise of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw).  Mujeebullah Chaudhry, president of the local AMC chapter gave the introduction to Ahmadiyyat in Philadelphia. Bilal Abdus Salaam gave an overview of Ahmadiyya history in the area and Naseem Mahdi, National Vice President, talked about the unification of Muslim Umma and condemned terrorism in the name of Islam.  Among others, Hussain Abdul Aziz, one of the early converts to Ahmadiyyat, was also present.

A group photo of the participants in the parade was taken at conclusion.  Kids loved getting free balloons from the Ahmadiyya book stall.

The weather was great and everyone enjoyed the outing very much.

  --  USA: Ahmadi Muslims participate in 21st Annual Philadelphia Islamic Heritage Festival & Parade
  --  Ahmadiyya Times
  --  Maudood Bhatti. Follow on Twitter: @maudoodbhatti


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