USA: Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Dayton Observes MLK Day in Interfaith Program

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'All religions echo the message of equality that Dr. King fought so hard for. Therefore, it is our responsibility to practice those aspects to uplift humanity.' -- Dr. Abdul Qudoos Shahid

Times of Ahmad | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: AMC - Dayton Ohio
By Dr Abdul Qudoos | February 13, 2019

"Holy Prophet Muhammad peace be on him is example for all, Martin Luther King's dream was dream of Islam," said Imam Shamshad A. Nasir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

In accordance with MLK activities in February the Ahmadiyya Muslim community (AMC) in Dayton celebrated its annual interfaith Martin Luther King event with four faith communities involved: they were the Jewish, the Mormon, the Presbyterian, and the Ahmadiyya Muslim communities. The event was moderated by Honorable Walter Rice, Federal Judge.

The AMC had started doing this annual event in 2017 hence, this was the third successive event.

As in previous years, the guest turnout was around 100 people from all faiths and ethnic backgrounds. The program was focused on the theme of Unity and Understanding of God’s people in the background of Dr. King’s vision for unity for all mankind. In this regard speakers from the four faith communities spoke on how their respective faith echoes the very vision of equality and brotherhood that Dr. King taught his whole life.

The program started with recitation of the Holy Quran. After that, the President of Dayton Jamaat, Dr. Abdul Qudoos Shahid, welcomed the audience and gave a brief background of this annual event. He explained that all religions echo the message of equality that Dr. King fought so hard for, therefore, he stated that it is our responsibility to practice those aspects to uplift humanity.

Imam Shamshad A. Nasir from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, spoke at length commemorating Dr Martin Luther King with reference to the Holy Founder of Islam, the Prophet Muhammad’s (sas) farewell address and the message of respect, tolerance, unity, brotherhood, justice, and love it embodies. He further stated the message of Dr. King is, in fact, the very message of Islam.

Imam Shamshad talked of the different social service projects the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, is involved in locally and globally and thus explained to the audience how Islam is a practical embodiment of the qualities of love, brotherhood, and equality.

Rev Denise of the Presbyterian Church said that the grace of God is seen in the good things her Church is involved in. She expressed firm faith and belief in God and talked about how it had enriched her life she further elaborated that the message of compassion given by Dr king is found in Christianity.

Me Tracy Williams of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter day told the audience of the thousands of missionaries working to spread the message of Jesus Christ.

Rabbi Ari Ballaban of the Jewish Community said that God’s grace is like a vessel that shines through all godly people.

The program ended with various questions from the audience which were answered by the panelists.

Some guest comments are below:

Greta Wagner.

"I was blessed to attend the Wednesday evening program honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s dream! In a time such as this, our interfaith unity is deeply essential and a rich gift to engage.

"I valued my first opportunity to participate in this annual program at the mosque. I write with anticipation of future events in which to share. I am a clergy member of Harmony Creek Church in Kettering, a United Church of Christ and Alliance of Baptist Progressive Christian faith community. Five of us from our congregation who attended Wednesday evening were wonderfully enriched."


Bonnie Beaman Rice:

"I thought it was a wonderful evening and each and every panelist was informative and moving."


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