Ahmadiyyas believe the prevalent definition of Jihad is wrong. The Qur'an is a document of peace and its teachings are merely being subverted by groups such as the Islamic State (ISIS) in eastern countries.
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| From left to right: Jalees Khokhar, Umar Shabooti and Shawaiz Hamayun Photo: The Orillia Packet & Times |
Source/Credit: The Orillia Packet & Times
By Patrick Bales | December 6, 2015
MIDLAND - If someone in Jalees Khokhar's adopted hometown of Bradford told him to “go back to where he came from,” it would be disheartening to the 23-year-old York University student.
“This is my nation, this is the nation I defend,” he said. “When I sing the national anthem, that I will defend this country, stand on guard for thee, I literally mean it with my heart and soul. But these people, they don't understand what love for nation is.”
Such a slur wouldn't have the desired effect either. After all, Khokhar is a first generation Canadian, born and raised in Maple, where his refugee parents settled when they arrived in Canada some 25 years ago, after they were forced from their homeland, persecuted for their religious beliefs.
His family is part of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Canada, a worldwide sect that features between 10 million and 20 million followers. Khokhar was in Midland Saturday hosting an open house on The Holy Qur'an, as part of an ongoing initiative to stop the spread of misinformation about both the Qur'an and the concept of Jihad.
Ahmadiyyas believe the prevalent definition of Jihad is wrong. The Qur'an is a document of peace, Khokhar explained, and its teachings are merely being subverted by groups such as the Islamic State (ISIS) in eastern countries.
“The struggle between good and evil, or the ego, in man - that's the real Jihad of our society,” he said. “The Jihad they're portraying over there, that is complete nonsense I would say. It is not portrayed in the Qur'an and is never supported by the Qur'an.”
Rather than see Jihad translated as “holy war,” the Ahmadiyyas feel “holy struggle” is a better fit. As well, the difference between the greater Jihad and lesser Jihad. The lesser Jihad, where blood is shed and peace is disrupted, go against the teachings of Islam, Ahmadiyyas argue, yet is the one more people are likely aware of.
And for all the wrong reasons, Khokhar said.
“Look at what ISIS is doing: they're actually destroying the mosques and the churches. They're going completely against the Qur'an,” he said. “It's not affiliated with Qur'an in any way, or Islam, which actually means 'peace and submission.'.... You can not possibly be submissive to God unless you are peaceful to mankind and the people that surround you.”
Saturday's open house in Midland was the latest in many gatherings organized by the Ahmadiyaa Muslim Community. Khokhar said the group looks to spread its message through small towns, as he feels the residents of those communities are more open minded and less consumed with materialistic pursuits.
Hopeful to speak to more than 100 people Saturday, Khokhar has seen the results in the community where he lives, by speaking with those Muslims who lived in Bradford before him.
The result of the Ahmadiyyas coming to Bradford was overwhelmingly positive, Khokhar said. But life wasn't always easy for Muslims in the south Simcoe community.
“People who were living there before, who are Muslims, they reached out to us.... 'You guys have changed my life and changed the way people are talking to me now,'” Khokhar recalled. “They've gotten better picture, a better understanding of Islam.”
Whether its Midland, Bradford, or points in between – there are still people who treat Islam with disdain and those who practice the religion as second-class citizens, who should “go back to where they came from.”
Khokhar said it is up to all us – Muslim and non-Muslim – to be more knowledgeable and avoid negativity.
“People, Muslims especially, who do not have any knowledge of this, first off they should gain knowledge,” he said. “(The) number one things with Islam (are) justice, peace and tolerance. We have to abide by those. If don't abide by those, then we're basically falling into the trap of the eastern countries.”
patrick.bales@sunmedia.ca
@patrickbales
Read original post here: Spreading message of peace and love
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