CHINO: ‘Muslims for Peace,’ the nationwide message by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community against extremism was taken to Upland Fire Station recently.
The ‘Muslims for Peace’ pamphlets were distributed at an event sponsored by Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). The event was attended by over 2000 Muslims from all over Southern California, where Imam Shamshad joined by two Ahmadi members were in attendance.
At the interfaith event held at a fire station in Upland, some 200 participants representing various faiths were present at the morning breakfast and seven Ahmadi Muslim members with Imam Shamshad also joined.
The Upland Interfaith Council (UIC), that Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a member of, had arranged its 15th annual ‘Prayer Breakfast’ at the same location as the last year – the Fire Station No. 1, located at the corner of Arrow Highway and 2nd Street in Upland, California.
With several dignitaries from Upland city government and the president of the UIC at the head table, prayer meeting opened when Imam Shamshad Nasir recited the opening chapter from the Muslim Holy Scriptures, the Holy Quran.
Imam Shamshad Nasir related sayings of the Holy Founder of Islam, the Prophet Mohammad that pertain to spreading of peace in the community – especially by the Muslims.
“We are Muslims who believe in the Messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani,” proclaimed Imam Shamshad. “And, our motto is Love for All, Hatred for None.”
The event was also attended by two other Muslim organizations, one of whom offered poetry of Moulana Jalal-ud Din Rumi, a Muslim Sufi Saint and poet from the 13th century. The other organization recited versus from the Holy Quran and offered translation and brief commentary.
At the end of the event Ahmadi Muslim members distributed Muslims for Peace pamphlets and many recipients were engaged in discussions about Ahmadiyya Community’s door-to-door peace message and its anti-terrorism efforts.
At the CAIR organized event in Anaheim, California, Imam Shamshad Nasir presented the renowned book, Philosophy of the Teaching of Islam by the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani, to Imam Siraj Vihhaj of At-Taqwa mosque of New York, who was one of the notable speakers at this fundraising event.
Hassam Aylosh, executive director and Fawad Yaqoob, president of CAIR – LA came over during dinner and each exchanged pleasantries and offered courtesies. The two organizers from CAIR thanked Imam Shamshad and fellow guest at the table for their presence at the event.
At the departure from the event, Imam Shamshad Nasir and Rehman Abdul Aleem of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community walked the lobby areas and distributed ‘Muslims for Peace’ pamphlets to the attendees.
Muslims for Peace, a national campaign of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is being promoted in Southern California through bus ads, door-to-door contacts, interfaith events and multiple radio programs.
India Post News Service
