The Ahmadi-Muslim Community bought its first mosque, Baitul Baqi, in Norcross in 2002. Since then, the community has grown so large that they bought a larger mosque called Baitul Ata late last year.
Source/Credit: Dallas-Hiram Patch
By A Knight Khan | December 16, 2015
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community honored the victims of the San Bernardino shootings with a multi-faith gathering on Saturday, December 12th, 2015 at 4 p.m. Each speaker contributed in a different way. Each of the speakers introduced themselves by explaining how they came to meet the Ahmadi- Muslim Community. This told a tale of interfaith co-operation that has spanned a decade.
The Ahmadi-Muslim Community bought its first mosque, Baitul Baqi, in Norcross in 2002. Since then, the community has grown so large that they bought a larger mosque called Baitul Ata late last year.
Over the last twelve years, the Ahmadi-Muslims have contributed to the greater Atlanta community by holding a free car wash, donating food to Atlanta food banks, serving hot lunches at women’s shelters, as well as handing out food and toiletries to the homeless.
The Bahai speaker, Gregory Meyjes, an Intercultural Consultant and Member of Bahai Community, read a poetic-prayer appealling to the Creator.
Diana Preston met the Community through her previous job, as Lilburn’s mayor. She spoke briefly and to the point:
“Growing up in WWII, I wondered how it could happen... As Christians, we have two commandments to believe in: one, to believe in the Lord; and two, to take care of your neighbors. Stand behind what is good and right and just.”
Julie Binney , who belongs to the United Church of Christ, in Marietta, spoke of how she met the Ahmadi-Muslim Community through Family Promise, an inter-faith outreach group who feed the homeless and house them in order to give them an opportunity to get a job and re-establish themselves. Through Mahmooda Rehman, they worked together so that each faith could take turns helping families re-establish themselves as working members of the community.
“Pray for an end to violence in our world,” Ms. Binney requested.
The Ahmadi-Muslim secretary for public education, Kaleem Bhatti, surprised us quoted a Christian source:
“Jesus said the righteous make justice by their works.”
The Promised Messiah, or the Second Coming of Jesus if you prefer, is the founding leader of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and he further elaborates on this idea:
“He [man] should behave towards his fellow beings with courtesy and sympathy and should cultivate true fidelity and sincerity towards god Almighty. He should constantly seek occasions of beneficent service. He who combines all these qualities in himself is along righteous.”
“Sorry to meet you this way,” apologized Audrey Galex began with comedic timing. She is the Interfaith Activist and Content Manager at Atlanta Interfaith Broadcasters. `
She explained that the Jewish community had also experienced prejudice that turned violent. The Klu Klux Klan knocked down one of the walls of their temple. Clearly, this abrogation of justice hurt the Jewish community deeply.
“Peace is why we are here--to make hatred and violence go away.”
Other prominent guests included: Jonathan Amsler, President of the Board of Trustees at The Temple in Atlanta; Reverend Corey Brown, Minister & Founder of BRIDGE Interfaith Ministries Atlanta; Reverend Jody Greenwood, Associate Rector at Christ Church Episcopal, Norcross; Reverend Jamie Stutler, Recotr at St. Clements Episcopal Church, Canton; and Manhar Valand, the Vice President of Chinmaya Mission Atlanta.
The meeting ended with a silent prayer which everyone could join in, if they wished. Afterwards, the Ahmadi-Muslims served their guests dinner. The loving-kindness of the guests made it a truly remarkable inter-faith.
Read original post here: USA: Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Norcross Remembers San Bernardino Victims
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