Germany: Ahmadiyya Muslims want to promote dialogue

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Before the Riedels continue to the flea market, a community member presents a small gift: a linen bag with infomaterial about the Ahmadiyya community and a biography about the Prophet Muhammad.

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | UK Desk
Source/Credit: Frankfurter-Rundschau
By Jan Klauth | October 10, 2017

Muslims want to promote dialogue
On the day of the open mosque, it is primarily about dismantling prejudices, says the municipal board of the Nuur-Moschee.

Actually the Riedels from Dietzenbach only wanted to visit the flea market at the Konstablerwache. "The poster on the street has been right in our eye," says Sabine Riedel.

"Day of the Open Mosque" stands on the red banner in front of the Nuur Mosque in southern Saxonyhausen. On the nationwide day of action, the Ahmadiyya Muslim community invited all those interested in the oldest Muslim prayer house in Hesse.

The visitors will be welcomed by local councilman Mansoor Ahmad. "Everyone is welcome in the Nuur Mosque," he emphasizes. The day of the open mosque is about reducing prejudice and promoting dialogue in the neighborhood. The municipality has considered a lot. In the prayer room there is an exhibition on the history of the movement with roots in India and Pakistan. A team from Ahmadiyya (MTA) TV station is interviewing a young visitor who sees a mosque for the first time. At the buffet there are cakes and samosas, in the courtyard the smallest guests can let off steam at the bouncy castle.

"There are many people who are interested in the conversation with us or simply want to inform us," says Ahmad. For some in the neighborhood, the annual day of the open mosque is already a compulsory visit. "Despite the competition in Mainz, we have high visitor numbers," says Ahmad and laughs. About 50 visitors listen to the lecture by Imam Imtiaz Ahmad Shaheen. Born in Hamburg, he studied theology in London and previously worked as an imam in Mannheim. In his speech, the 29-year-old also addresses serious issues - such as Islamic terrorism.

"At the moment, the reputation of Islam has been damaged," says Ahmad. This is precisely why it is important to enlighten and not to shut down. The 59-year-old's gaze falls on a brochure in the bookshelf. "The Islamic Jihad - The True Concept" is their title. "A very charged term," emphasizes Ahmad. However, he was misinterpreted and abused by extremists. "Actually, jihad is only an effort directed toward a particular goal," Ahmad says. "For example, the fight against your own weaknesses and mistakes."

"There are many exciting topics - that the community is so open," says Sabine Riedel after the public lunch prayer. Before the Riedels continue to the flea market, a community member presents a small gift: a linen bag with infomaterial about the Ahmadiyya community and a biography about the Prophet Muhammad. The inscription "Love for all, hatred for none."

Communities do not know anything about action

Change of location: the Frankfurt station district, Munich street, second backyard. Passing empty fruit crates, overflowing garbage cans and damp Europaletten leads the way to the backyard mosque Baitul Hamdh. The prayer room on the second floor of the old building is empty. In the stairwell, a commune member from Bangladesh declares that the day of the open mosque had not been noticed. In general, however, interested parties are always welcome to look at the prayer house and get in touch with Iman.

Similarly, the situation is a house number. In the passage to the backyard, a homeless man sleeps, the floor smelling of urine. A sign with an Arabic inscription and Kaaba photo shows the way to the prayer room. The entrance hall and the prayer room on the second floor are open, but members of the community or Iman are not present.

More lucky visitors have come to the Shiite Pak Dar ul Islam community in the next building. Imam Muhammad Siddique is leaning against the wall of the house and observes the bustle on the Munich street. "On the day of the open mosque we participated a few years ago," remembers the preacher. The response was good. The municipality, which originated in Pakistan, did not notice this year's orientation. Visitors are always welcome in the mosque. "Best for a Friday prayer - there's always a full house," says Siddique, laughing.

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Jan Klauth, Author, Editor Frankfurt / Rhein-Main


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