DAR AL HARB - CANADA: CONFERENCE RECONCILES ISLAM WITH CONTEMPORARY ISSUES

Conference reconciles Islam with contemporary issues - 20,000 Muslims to celebrate Canada day at Conference on July 1st, 2007

Thousands of Muslims and Non-Muslim guests as well as international delegates are attending the 31st annual convention of Canada's Ahmadiyya Muslim Community being held at the
International Center in Mississauga (Derry and Airport Roads) from June 29th
to July 1st, 2007, inclusive. Over 20,000 people are participating.

The three-day event presents a series of lectures by male and female scholars and educationists to promote and encourage the spiritual development of the participants as well as to address common misconceptions about Islam and its history.

On Sunday, July 1st, topics like atheism, humankind's quest for God and establishing household peace will be discussed. Canada Day celebrations will also be an integral part of this day's agenda.

The Saturday, June 30th session consisted of a lecture dispelling the common misconception that Islamic law is misogynistic by demonstrating that it promotes equality between Muslim men and women and noted that the Muslim practice of wearing of the veil is inspired by and in honor of Mary, the mother of Jesus. A lecture highlighting the debate between evolutionists,
creationists and the proponents of intelligent design, while not denying that human evolved, argued that the fossil record of paleontologists provides evidence of Divine design, was also presented.

The General Secretary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community spoke of its members' commitment to serving humanity and the needs of the poor and needy, and asserted that this commitment is a duty imposed upon all Muslims by the Holy Qur'an.

Other lectures were of a theological nature, including a discussion on the wisdom of the use of metaphor in the Holy Bible and the Holy Qur'an as well as modern interpretations of key events in Islamic history.

Canadians from all walks of life interested in learning more about Islam and overcoming misconceptions regarding Muslims are attending this event. They will obtain a greater understanding of the true Islamic teachings on a range of issues as well as an appreciation of their historical context. Participants are also presented with an ideal opportunity to meet and interact with their fellow citizens, both Muslim and non-Muslim.

Many dignitaries representing different levels of government and constituencies within Canada are attending. On Saturday, June 30th, Her Worship Hazel McCallion received an award of appreciation from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for her long and dedicated service to the citizens of and to the city of Mississauga, the host city of this event. The Honourable Jack
Layton praised the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's ethic of tolerance and inclusion of other faiths in their events and their efforts to eradicate all forms of hatred. The Honourable John Tory congratulated the event's organizers for, once again, fostering and encouraging topical and important discussion. On Canada Day, the Honourable Premier Dalton McGuinty, the Honourable Greg Sorbara, Her Worship Mayor Susan Fennell and the Chief of York Regional
Police, Armand LaBarge will grace the event.

Each year, the primary purpose of the annual convention of Canada's Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is to provide participants with an opportunity to broaden and deepen their understanding of it and the religion of Islam. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is committed to contributing to the multicultural mosaic by helping to achieve a better Canada and by encouraging both Muslim and non-Muslim Canadians to come together and live according to their creed, "Love for All, Hatred for None."

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was established in 1889 by Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. He claimed to be the Promised Messiah and Mahdi whose advent was foretold by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and whose purpose it was to revive the true teachings of Islam as contained in the Holy Qur'an and traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has millions of
members and is established in over 180 countries. Its members are dedicated to practicing and professing the peaceful and moderate message of Islam to the world and serving humanity. Notable members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are the late Sir Zafrulla Khan, President of the International Court of Justice (1954-61) and the late Dr. Abdus Salam, recipient of the Nobel Prize for Physics (1979). The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Canada was established in 1969, and its first annual convention was held in 1976.

THE CONVENTION IS OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND ADMISSION IS FREE.
PROGRAM BEGINS AT 10:30 A.M. ON JULY 1st AT THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER IN
MISSISSAUGA (DERRY AND AIRPORT RD.) IN HALL No. 5.



Pertinent Links:

1) Conference reconciles Islam with contemporary issues - 20,000 Muslims to celebrate Canada day at Conference on July 1st, 2007