A Muslim community group is being proactive in trying to dispel the misconceptions about Islam and it is bringing its message to Okotoks.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which has one of Canada’s largest mosques in Calgary, will be hosting a seminar at the Foothills Centennial Centre in Okotoks on March 19 to address the stereotypes associated with Islam.
Imtiaz Chaudhary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community said it has been hosting similar seminars across Canada for years, but the message of peace has never been more timely.
“We have taken it upon ourselves to reach out to the communities across Canada to talk about the misconceptions with Islam,” said Chaudhary. “We have gone from coast to coast. We have taken the initiative to get our message out there.”
Chaudhary, who is opening a fitness centre in Okotoks, said it is imperative the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community spreads its message of non-violence especially with the turmoil occurring in the Middle East.
“We need to focus on our commonality, not our differences,” he said.
Fittingly, the motto for Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is “Love for All and Hatred for None.”
“Our purpose is to create and spread love,” said Chaudhary.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is an Islamic organization that was formed in 1889 by Mirza Ghulam Ahmad who his followers believe was the second coming of Jesus.
According to The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Ahmad was sent to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. He opposed fanatical beliefs and championed Islam’s essential teachings. He emphatically declared an aggressive “jihad by the sword” has no place in Islam. Rather, he taught his followers to wage a bloodless, intellectual “jihad of the pen” to defend Islam.
As a result, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the leading Islamic organization to reject terrorism in any form.
Similarly, it is the only Islamic organization to endorse a separation of mosque and state.
In addition, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community advocates for universal human rights, protection of religious beliefs and the empowerment and education of women.
Salman Khalid, the honourary regional president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, will be the keynote speaker in Okotoks.
Khalid said his organization is often persecuted by conservative Muslims, but he said it is important to advocate peace over religious war and terrorism.
He said anyone who has questions about Islam and Jihad are encouraged to attend.
The seminar will be at the Foothills Centennial Centre on March 19 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For more information visit the group’s website at www.alislam.org
