NEWS Milton group aims to inform Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at holds informal O&A event NATHAN HOWES The path to knowing true Islam begins with under- standing. .. That was one of the key messages delivered by the Milton Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at congregation at its inaugural bimonthly forum, including a question-and- answer, June 27 at St. Paul's United Church. Titled, I'm a Muslim- Ask me anything, the goal of the seminar is to break down barriers in the community and inform residents about Islam. i hy jah . ¥ +, metrolandmedia Commrcton tn yew come----y' community about Islam AHMADIYYA MUSLIM JAMA'AT Canada Ahamadiyya Muslim Jama'at photo Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at The congregation re- viewed 11 truths about the faith, showcasing videos from an Islam website https://trueislam.today/), and hosted a near 50-minute Q-and-A session with theau- dience. Magbool Sheikh, Ahma- diyya Muslim Jama'atdirec- tor of advocacy and public relations, MC'd the forum, while Imam Muhammad Af- zal Mirza, also with the con- gregation, was the main "panellist. "The idea of this whole program was really to reach out tothe community and of- fer an opportunity for fellow Miltonians to come and ask questions on Muslims, as op- posed to extremists. Thereis a lot of misinformation out there in the world," said Sheikh. "We're hoping it is a safe, friendly environment where (residents) feel comfortable enough to ask any ques- tions." Mirza addressed a num- ber of topics and issues, from misinterpretations of the Qur'an to justify terrorism, current political turmoil in the United States and the welcoming and friendly na- ture of Canadians, among others. Regarding misinterpret- ing religious text, Mirza said every faith has experienced aphase whereits words have been hijacked and twisted for personal gain or beliefs. According to the True Is- ° lam website, thefirst truth of Islam is that it wholly rejects all forms of terrorism. "ISIS is extremist against its own people because it thinks if a Muslim does not cater to its ideology we are (enemies), even though we call ourselves Muslim: Then those who are not Muslims, always be there for us. the Lord. periods of my life Why, when | have needed you most, You have not been there for me?" fred set of footprints Is when [carried you" New Life Church - ey SHEER In 1936, a fourteen-year-old girl, Mary Stevenson, wrote the classic poem, Footprints in the Sand, claiming that God gave her the words while she just pushed the | pencil. From that day on, Mary gave hand-written copies of her poem to friends, relatives and strangers. Although her authorship is disputed in some literary circles, this inspirational .narrative has brought a reassuring sense of comfort in deep anguish and private pain. It reminds hurting individuals that there is one who knows our sorrow, who cares, who loves and who will FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND One night, | dreamed | was walking along the beach with j Many scenes from my life flashed across. the sky. "| In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints. Other times theré were one set of footprints. This bothered me because | noticed that during the low When | was suffering from anguish, sorrow, or defeat, | could see only one set of footprints. So | said to the Lord, "You promised me, Lord, That if | followed you, you would walk with me always. i But | noticed that during the most trying periods of my life 81 - There have only been one set of prints in the sand. 'The Lord replied, "The times when you have seen Submitted by Pastor Dan Rogge of Milton's ' The idea of this whole program was really to reach out to the community and offer an opportunity for fellow Miltonians to come and ask » questions on Muslims, as opposed to extremists. There is a lot of misinformation out there in the world. -- Magqgbool Skeikh, Milton Ahamdiyya Muslim Jama'at Director of Advocacy and Public are already on the hit list anyway," said Mirza. Those who believe in the "true spirit of fai cater to violence because re- ligion begins with human beings, Mirza explained. "Fighting is not the solution to anything. Dialogue, sit- RE RT rE " do not-- a. rR I NEW LIFE CHURCH FOR GENERATIONS TO COME Everybody's Welcome Two Sunday Morning Services 9am & 10am Revelation Sermon Series Eagle's Wings Children's & Youth Centre Pastor Dan Rogge 824 Thom 905 878 3358 TT Relations ting down, listening to each RL0Z '61 Ane 'Aepsuny) | vordweyd vepeued vou | IS other, taking care of each_ . other and sharing the good- ness we have in ourselves is," said Mirza. "I believe religion has proven thatitdelivers much- ©® See IMAM, page 35 cYe Road South ewlifemilton.com 103°U0}|BYIpPIS UI -