It is a part of a nationwide try by the non secular group Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at to quell a wave of Islamophobia
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B.C.’s largest mosque is inviting members of the general public who’ve questions on Islam previous its gates and contained in the constructing for espresso this weekend.
It’s a part of a nationwide try by the non secular group Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at to quell a wave of Islamophobia it says is rising on account of political tensions from the Israel-Hamas battle abroad.
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Starting on Sunday afternoon, imam Umran Bhatti and others from Delta’s Baitur Rahman mosque will invite folks inside, providing them a cup of espresso, some cake, and an opportunity to ask any questions they’ve concerning the faith.
“There’s a dangerous false impression that the Islamic faith promotes extremism, however that’s in opposition to the teachings of our holy prophet that are to advertise love and peace for all,” mentioned Bhatti.
“We imagine that by this dialogue, and finally friendship, we are able to win this battle in opposition to division and extremism.”
The initiative comes as police in Vancouver report a rise in hate crimes since Hamas launched its assault on Israel in October. Workers Sgt. Astrid Bonter mentioned at a latest information convention the incidents included graffiti written on a group centre that learn, “All Muslims ought to die.”
B.C.’s Human Rights Commissioner Kasari Govender has urged the province to ascertain a community-led reporting system for hate crimes to assist inform future public coverage responses, akin to obligatory hate-incident coaching for police.
“I’m deeply involved concerning the surging numbers of hate incidents impacting Jewish and Muslim communities right here in B.C., and I’m calling for instant and sustained motion to handle and forestall hate in our communities,” Govender mentioned in November.
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The unfairness is nothing new, mentioned Bhatti. “We’ve seen it over the previous decade following the actions of ISIS, Taliban, and Boko Haram … we wish folks to really feel snug coming to us, have some espresso, snacks, and talk about what they really feel.”
Haroon Khan has participated in comparable outreach initiatives through the years as a trustee of Vancouver’s Al-Jamia Masjid mosque.
“For lots of people, the thought of stepping right into a mosque is other-worldly, however as soon as they arrive in they see it’s a giant room with a carpet, 4 partitions, and a ceiling … like anyplace else.”
For many years, members of the general public are usually invited to take a seat subsequent to worshippers whereas they pray, ask questions, and are supplied an English translation of the Qur’an.
Whereas the end result of the excursions has different, Khan mentioned most contributors come out with a new-found understanding of the faith. “We’ve had some folks even take a occupation of religion and change into Muslim themselves.”
Khan mentioned Vancouver police are anticipated to offer safety this week on the Al-Jamia Masjid mosque given the nationwide Day of Remembrance of the Quebec Metropolis Mosque Assault and Motion Towards Islamophobia on Jan. 29.
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Seven years in the past, a gunman opened hearth throughout night prayers at a Quebec mosque, killing six worshippers and injuring 19. Alexandre Bissonnette, who pled responsible, is serving a life sentence in jail.
Khan, who grew up working towards Islam within the metropolis, mentioned what stays undocumented by present crime charges is the psychological toll the bias is having on members of his Muslim group.
“Ladies who’re seen sporting a hijab on the bus or public transit and are subjected to insults, threatening language, and in some instances bodily assault.”
Personally, Khan admitted to grappling with a depressive episode partly due to the bias he has seen within the wake of the Israel-Hamas battle. “It breaks our hearts, angers, and exhausts us. We simply need to have the ability to reside our lives within the open.”
Members of the general public from Metro Vancouver who’re thinking about participating in Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at’s “Espresso and Islam” initiative can enrol at coffeeandislam.ca.
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