Canada: Ahmadiyya Muslim Community celebrates 50 years of religious freedoms in Canada

---

“At the end of the day, if you don’t agree with us, that’s okay; still have coffee. That’s how all religions should be.”

Sherjeel Butt speaks with John Singharti at the Mobile Muslims stop in
Lloydminster last week. (Phoro: Meridian Booster)

Times of Ahmad | News Watch |
Source/Credit: Meridian Booster
By Phil McLachlan | August 14, 2016

The Muslim faith is the fastest growing religion in the world, and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the fastest growing Muslim sect in the world. This community was started in 1889, which they believe to be the second coming of Jesus. Since that small-town start in India, they have multiplied in million, stretching to 207 countries. Within Canada, there are 40 chapters, and 40,000 members.

This year marks the 50 year anniversary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Canada. To celebrate this year, there are many campaigns that have been launched in communities throughout Canada.

One of these initiatives is called “Mobile Muslims”, which is a travelling trailer that started on the East Coast, and in 10 days time, it will land on the West Coast. They are promoting their message, ‘Love for all, hatred for none.’

“The intent behind launching this initiative is to thank the Canadians and this beautiful country we are living in, which has allowed religious freedom to all the people living here,” said Tariq Azeem, Missionary (Emam) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

    AMJ Canada has launched a Nationwide Campaign called #MobileMuslims.Spreading #TrueIslam coast-to-coast. pic.twitter.com/eYkwJCFCHG
    — Mobile Muslims (@OutreachAMC) July 13, 2016

In addition to thanking Canada for 50 years of religious freedoms, another purpose for this Mobile Muslims campaign is to dismiss some misconceptions in relation to the Muslim faith.

“There are many misconceptions spread regarding Islam,” said Azeem. “We want to remove those misconceptions. Sometimes people falsely associate ISIS or other terrorists with Islam. But we want to bring the actual picture of Islam forward. Islam is a religion of peace, and it teaches nothing but kindness and service towards humanity.”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has a significant presence in Lloydminster, but there are other Muslim communities in the city as well. What sets them apart, is their belief and view of the Messiah. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believes that the Messiah promised by the prophet Muhammad for this age has appeared in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908). Another distinction that sets them apart from other communities is their singular, unified international leadership in London, U.K. Under his command, they launch campaigns throughout the world to remove misconceptions and keep their message true.

“The word Islam, means peace and submission,” said Azeem. “The basic concept of Islam is to worship God, serve humanity and show kindness to each other. There is no violence included in our faith.”

During the fires in Fort McMurray, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community donated $100,000 towards relief.

Another significant assistance from the hands of the Muslim Community was called “Million Pounds of Food”, which is a nationwide initiative started by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, the largest organized Muslim youth group of its kind in Canada. The objective of this campaign is to work with Muslim youth across the country to raise one million pounds of food to feed the needy in Canada.

“We are living in a country with many luxuries, but even then there are people here who need help,” said Azeem.

Omer Ahmed, a volunteer from Ancaster, Ontario, always wanted to become more involved in the Ahmadiyya community. Through the Moble Muslims initiative, he has been able to do so by answering questions to clear some misconceptions that he believes are creating a bad name for all Muslims.

“I would say the response has been overwhelmingly better that we thought it would be; people are saying ‘Thank you for doing this!’,” said Ahmed. “I love Canada, and I must say that people are so amazingly good with them. They have been wonderful in terms of listening to our answers, understanding and trying to learn more.”

Another initiative that Ahmed became involved in was called “Meet a Muslim Family,” in which Muslim families from the Ahmadiyya community in Canada found a family who had never been inside a Muslim home, and welcomed them in for a meal and a two-way conversation.

“The biggest misconception is, ‘All Muslims are like ISIS,’” said Ahmed. “The people who believe this misconception are generally those who have never had any interaction with Muslims. This was an opportunity for us to go and meet them.”

In the current, ‘Mobile Muslims’ campaign, there are 10 people involved. Starting in Toronto, they continue to stop in each major town for an estimated total campaign time of three weeks. The final destination for them is Victoria, British Columbia.

“At the end of the day, if you don’t agree with us, that’s okay; still have coffee. That’s how all religions should be,” said Ahmed.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community eagerly welcomes anyone with questions to contact them directly, or go online for more information.

“Please at least read the book before you start making assumptions,” said Ahmed. “Don’t just listen to people who are talking to you, go through the scripture and find out, what do you believe in?”



Read original post here: Ahmadiyya Muslim Community celebrates 50 years of religious freedoms in Canada


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.