COON RAPIDS, Minn. – (Sept. 1, 2016) – Nusrat Mosque is Coon Rapids is a newer addition in the community. It is a part of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, a community that is in 206 countries and has tens of millions of members.
“We got this Mosque last year, it was a pretty big feat for our community,”said secretary of the women’s chapter Ayeza Jamil. “This is the very first place we were able to come together under one roof and be able to support the community around us with different activities.”
Even with about 1/5 people worldwide identifying as Muslim, many Americans have very little knowledge Islam. Here in Minnesota where only 317 out of every 100,000 people practice Islam, there can be some confusion about their beliefs. This is where the True Islam campaign comes in.
“The purpose of this campaign is mainly to get Muslims and non-Muslims together,” said education director Imran Hayee. They have started an educational series that meets once a month to discuss a topic related to Islam.
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“We choose six topics. The first was basic tenants of Islam,” said Hayee.
They have also covered the true meaning of Jihad and the beliefs of Sharia Law. Their next session is called, “Does Islam Suppress Women?”
“I think that’s one of the biggest misconceptions here, especially in America; and I’m excited for it because I know growing up here in my community and with my religion that Islam is one of the religions that empowers women the most,” said Jamil.
They’ve had around 60 people at the recent classes, including about 20 from their community, and the results and the discussions have been encouraging.
“People do ask questions. I was first afraid that people would ask nasty questions but I’ve been very happy actually,” said Hayee. “I’ve asked them very clearly to ask whatever question is on your mind, no question can be offensive enough…If you ask that question it will help us clarify from our point of view,”
“We believe whomever out there who is a Jew, or Christian, or a Sabian, whomever believes and God and does good works has nothing to be worried about,” said Hayee.
Good works are a major topic at for Ahmadiyya Muslims. Coming up is their nationwide blood drive effort called Muslims for Life.
“What we do is demonstrate we are not here to take lives, rather to save lives. We donate blood, we collaborate with our fellow Americans, lets try to collectively give blood. I think every year we raise about 10,000 pints of blood which can potentially save 30,000 lives,” said Hayee.
Their youth also do community service projects year round.
“We’ll go and pack food at a homeless shelter, we’ll try to partner and we’ve partnered with the city of St. Paul and planted about 40 trees at local parks,” said director of youth Adeel Ahmad.
As they work to educate the community around them about their beliefs, they have enjoyed the response they’ve gotten.
“Anyone who hasn’t spoken to a Muslim before, I think come and talk to us because not only does this dialogue series tell us that we’re doing our part and we’re getting our resources out there; but that the community is willing to listen and that gives me and the rest of our community hope to that the right work or right message of Islam is being carried out,” said Jamil.
