UK: Olympic gymnast Louis Smith finds forgiveness at Fazl Mosque after offensive video

---

“Louis did something wrong but he certainly does not need to be defined by that brief moment in his life. His apology and visit to London’s oldest mosque ... today to learn about Islam speak volumes." 

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: The Guardian
By Press Association | October 18, 2016

Excerpts

Olympic gymnast Louis Smith missed celebrations for Rio medallists in Trafalgar Square to visit mosques after saying sorry for the fact that he appeared to mock Islam in a video last week.

The four-time medallist said he apologised to people in the Muslim community for the footage that showed him pretending to pray to Allah while laughing.
...
He said he was “ignorant to people’s religion” and that it was his responsibility, as “someone of sporting influence”, to exercise his opinions in good taste. “We discussed my actions and they showed me what they learn and the true meaning behind their religion of peace.”
...
Farooq Aftab, national vice-president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, said: “The original video that gave rise to this whole incident has caused offence. However, at the heart of Islam, the holy Koran, and the example of the Prophet Mohammed is the need for Muslims to show continuous compassion and forgiveness.

“Louis did something wrong but he certainly does not need to be defined by that brief moment in his life. His apology and visit to London’s oldest mosque ... today to learn about Islam speak volumes.

“As practising Muslims, Ahmadi Muslims will always seek to build bridges; will always seek to be peacemakers. This is the true Islam and we hope that Louis visits many more times.”

Thanks for coming to the Fazl & Baitul Futuh Mosques today @louissmith1989. A genuinely lovely chap who we look forward to seeing again soon pic.twitter.com/WI79a49KD1

— Farooq Aftab (@FarooqAMYA) October 18, 2016

Read original post here: UK: Olympic gymnast Louis Smith find forgiveness after offensive video 


This content-post is archived for backup and to keep archived records of any news Islam Ahmadiyya. The views expressed by the author and source of this news archive do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of Times of Ahmad. Times of Ahmad is not an organ of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, nor in any way associated with any of the community's official websites.