The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has held another awareness event in Lloydminster.
On Sunday, January 17th, the group held an Islam Open House, in a walk-in setup, at the Servus Sports Centre. They had information resources for interested attendees and representatives available to answer questions.
Tariq Azeem, a missionary and Imam with the group explained the event is part of a national campaign called Demystify Islam, with the aim of removing misconceptions about Islam. The group is traveling town to town to spread their message of what the religion actually teaches.
Mayor Rob Saunders attended the event and says he wasn’t aware there was such a large Muslim community in Lloydminster.
He also said, “It’s just a good way for our community as a whole to be introduced …and better educated as to what it is that they represent. I think the message was that some of the things we hear and see in the media on a daily basis, does not represent the total population of that demographic of people. They’re a peaceful people; they are caring people and they are great citizens in our community.”
Both the Mayor and Azeem encourage Lloydminster residents to get out and attend the next meeting in town.
Azeem says the group feels these events are especially important because “to have a harmonious and peaceful society it is important that we know and respect one another.”
There were several similar events throughout Prairie region over the weekend, not just in Lloydminster, and this coming Saturday, the group has an event taking place in North Battleford.