TagInterfaith

Working Together

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Originally Published in My Record Journal (March 10, 2017) On March 6, The local chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community received the “Spirit of Meriden Award” from the mayor and his office. This chapter of the International Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is located in South Meriden and has been there for the past 10 years. In these ten years in Meriden, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has...

I decry hatred against any religion

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Originally Published in Sentinel & Enterprise Hundreds of tombstones were vandalized in a Jewish cemetery in Philadelphia over the weekend. Hearing about this was both shocking and upsetting. As a Muslim American, I condemn this cowardly act and pray that the culprits be brought to justice. With the wave of bomb threats to Jewish centers and this recent horrific act, we will stand by our...

Interfaith Prayer Service for America & the World at Ahmadiyya House of Peace Mosque Meriden as part of National Prayer Week

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“And keep thyself attached to those who call on their Lord, morning and evening, seeking His pleasure; and let not thy eyes pass beyond them, seeking the adornment of the life of the world; and obey not him whose heart We have made heedless of Our remembrance and who follows his evil inclinations, and his case exceeds all bounds” (Holy Quran, Chapter of the Cave [18]: Verse 29). The Ahmadiyya...

Baltimore Interfaith

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Originally Published in Beliefnet Last month, I heard hope, felt peace, and saw love. These emotions were quite contrary to what  I had the morning after this year’s election. I remember feeling really confused and insecure about what the future held for me, a young Muslim living in America. About a month ago, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community here in Baltimore decided to have an...

What Pamela Geller Advocates Is Not Free Speech

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Originally Published in Time There’s an important history behind America’s free speech laws to which the anti-Islam hate group behind the “Draw Muhammad Contest,” is wholly ignorant. While the Islamophobe leading this hate group believes she’s a free speech champion,remarkably comparing herself to Rosa Parks, in reality America’s current free speech model developed as an attempt to protect — not...

Interfaith dialogue

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Originally published in Northwest Herald   “It is the duty of all believers, to whichever religion they belong, to proclaim that we can never be happy pitted one against the other, the future of humanity will never be able to be secured by terrorism and by the logic of war.” Pope John Paul II made this powerful statement back in 2003. Today, I am reminded of this same sentiment as I hear...

FRANCIS: Pray for interfaith peace and understanding

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Originally Published in The News Tribune I want to congratulate the Catholic Church and Pope Francis on his election to the office of pope. I pray that he can bring about interfaith peace and understanding through his leadership. As a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, we understand the importance of leadership and its role in bringing about peace between the various faith communities...

Why (and How) Should Muslim Americans ‘Celebrate’ Christmas?

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Originally Published in The Huffington Post and The Washington Post   Every December, Muslim youth, parents and converts in the Western countries face a familiar dilemma: Why (or how) should they “celebrate” Christmas? On this issue, Muslim scholars are divided. Integrators like the British Cabinet Minister, Baroness Warsiadmonish immigrant Muslims to “celebrate Christmas...

Connecticut Muslims aide New York storm victims

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Originally Posted on The Hartford FAVS “Labbayk” or “Here I am and ready to serve” was what we exclaimed when Hurricane Sandy made her devastation known. Four of us from the Meriden- based Connecticut chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community energetically left for New York on Saturday (Nov. 3) for a three hour trip to provide assistance to those in need. On the way we filled...