"This is a beautiful platform that we have arranged in Saskatoon to show people what the core teachings of Islam are. Islam means peace."
Source/Credit: NewsTalk 650 KCOM
By Bryn Levy | November 6, 2014
Saskatoon's Ahmadiyya Muslim community is inviting people to learn about Islam in a presentation at the University of Saskatchewan.
Titled Muhammad - The Astonishing Story of The Prophet, the program is one that's been run in cities across Canada.
Noman Hassan, a U of S student who is part of the organizing committee, said previous efforts like lectures and multi-faith symposiums haven't always kept audiences engaged. He said the show uses video alongside live performance and audience interaction to change that.
"It's something that will keep (people) busy, keep them interested and get our point across because it's very important, especially nowadays," he said ahead of a dress rehearsal held Wednesday night.
Hassan said the group has planned the show for some time, but he got a personal reminder of how important the outreach effort is on Oct. 22, the day of the Ottawa shootings. He said that day he was in Place Riel at the U of S, manning an information booth and handing out flyers promoting the event, when he was approached by two women.
"They said 'we know the kind of Muslims you guys are,' I just was shocked, totally astonished by what she just said. Then she said: 'haven't you read the news yet?'"
Hassan said the incident made him more determined than ever to do a good job organizing the event.
"This is a beautiful platform that we have arranged in Saskatoon to show people what the core teachings of Islam are. Islam means peace," he said.
Imam Zahid Abid said that first and foremost, the show is about highlighting the community's dedication to peace.
"Those who do violence in the name of Islam ... they themselves are not educated and they are not truly following the teachings of the Prophet," he said.
On top of that, he said having young people from the community participating also provides them with an educational opportunity.
"It develops their own comfort in speaking in public and addressing any questions that may arise in their public life or in their school or whaterver field they may choose to follow later on," he said.
Attir Khan, a high school student who has a monologue in the performance said he's nervous with the date of the show approaching, but feels compelled to do what he can to help dispel the misconception that Islam promotes violence.
"We have a great responsibility as Muslims. The best way to tell people about Islam is through your own actions. If you act peacefully, if you talk about peace ... then people will have a good image of Islam," he said.
Muhammad - The Astonishing Story of The Prophet runs Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. in Room 1150 in the E Wing of the U of S Health Science Building. Admission and parking is free. More information is available online.
-- blevy@rawlco.com
-- Follow on Twitter: @BrynLevy
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