USA: Muslim sect seeks link with Pittsburgh community

Rizwan Alladin, national president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, said sustaining a marriage and the use of social media have been among the topics of discussion at the conference.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH
By Michael Aubele | July 17, 2011

For Omar Shaheed, having more than 1,000 Muslim Americans visit the Pittsburgh area this weekend amounts to a blessing.

"Things are going great," Shaheed said on Saturday at Pittsburgh Indoor Sports Arena, where the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA Youth Auxiliary's 33rd national conference is being held. The conference concludes today.

As president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Shaheed worked to bring the event to the region. "I wanted them to see Pittsburgh," he said.

The roughly 1,200 men and boys -- who range in age from 7 to 40 -- attending the conference are doing so to build fellowship within their own faith community, grow spiritually and raise awareness among others about their faith.


Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a movement within Islam. Followers believe the Messiah came in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, who lived from 1835 to 1908. The community believes God sent him to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute peace.

Rizwan Alladin, national president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, said sustaining a marriage and the use of social media have been among the topics of discussion at the conference.

Alladin, who denounced violence and extremism, said he placed special importance on reminding those at the event that they shouldn't feel any type of contradiction in saying, "I am a Muslim and an American, too."

"This gives me a chance to meet with my brothers who I haven't seen all year long," said Ahmad Chaudhry, 35, of New York City.

He said it also serves as a spiritual purpose, reminding him the role of God is "at the forefront of our lives."

Aqeel Akbar, 21, of Bristow, Va., described the conference's effect on his faith as "enriching."

Mubarak Bashir, 29, of Rochester, N.Y., said he ranks the chance to build fellowship among his brothers in the faith as a chief reason why he attends. "Unity is always the most important to me," he said.

Qasim Rashid, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA spokesman, estimated about 15,000 Ahmadiyya Muslims live in America.



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