What if we could stomp out Islamophobia in the West by helping people become friends? A new campaign is giving it a shot.
As part of a national campaign called Meet a Muslim Family, a Muslim Community is inviting all Canadians to visit their homes in efforts to remove misconceptions about Islam and Muslims.
The campaign, which is an initiative of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, begins March 1st and lasts through March 14th.
Although the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has led similar initiatives in the past, this is the first official national campaign launched with the purpose of showing that Canadian values are similar to Islamic values.
There is an increase of misconceptions concerning Islam and Muslims with an increase in international headlines involving Muslim extremists committing atrocities in the name of Islam.
According to the spokesperson for the Meet a Muslim Family initiative, Safwan chaoudhry, this campaign can help rid the fear and misconceptions around Islam and Muslims.
He says “we feel this is a timely opportunity for us to showcase the true teaching of Islam. The un-Islamic actions of so-called Muslims are picked up by the media and are taken to be reflection of the entire Muslim population. This is a complete misrepresentation and this is why we are holding this campaign to show the world how peaceful and loyal Ahmadi Muslims are.
“Just days into the campaign, and the response has been phenomenal as we are receiving an overwhelming response from all across Canada, with countless inquiries.”
So what can one expect on a visit? The day will consist of a nice meal and a discussion on the commonalities between the non-Muslim and Ahmadi Canadian family. “There are no agendas or predetermined topics of discuss, rather an opportunity to discuss any topic, question or share comments,” says Chaoudhry.
Following the meeting, the Ahmadiyya community hopes the families will develop a positive relationship and friendship. Choudhry says, “We hope that families take this as an opportunity to better understand each other’s cultures, values and traditions.”
Considering the large number of inquiries since the start of this campaign, the organizers are expecting such meetings between families to continue for months past the official deadline of March 14th.
The Ahmadiyya Community has a history of launching similar campaigns such as: Stop the Crisis campaign, Astonishing Story of the Prophet, Muslims for Remembrance Day, and national blood drives. Choudhry says, “We are sure to hold many in the future in order to continue to promote peace, unity and harmony amongst all Canadians.”
–
Learn more about Meet a Muslim Family.
Exdellet effort.I do not see the method of contacting Muslim families. Does anyone coordinate the meetings?
You may contact the local branch of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community or register on the following site to set up a meeting with a Muslim family. http://www.meetamuslimfamily.com/