Imam Sadaqat Ahmad

The Mahmud Mosque invites on the weekend Swiss of any belief to discover Islam at a lecture at the Zurich Volkshaus. Imam Sadaqat Ahmed explains why this enlightement is necessary.

Tagblatt of the City of Zurich: Sadaqat Ahmed, what do you want to achieve with this function?

Sadaqat Ahmed : In Switzerland prevail a lot of misunderstandings as far as Islam is concerned. In the media debates elements are taken out of context so that they do not relate to the true knowledge. That leads to misconceptions. Our duty as Muslims it is to pass on correct information. In the Volkshaus we are offering the possibility to find out more about the Koran and we are putting at the disposal of the visitors more literature, so that the Swiss can inform themselves.

Which misconseptions do you address?

Ahmed: That Islam is supposed to be a militant belief, which contains hate and enemity to women. Some people see a terrorist in every Muslim. This image is for us at the same time sad and embarrassing. Also the behaviour of the Muslims are judged differently by the Swiss. A Christian who commits a mistake is just a human being who has erred. The weaknesses of Muslims however are always related to Islam. The religion of Islam is therefore made guilty for all faults of Muslims.

Which faults do Muslims make?

Ahmed: The moral behavior of some Muslims not only in Muslim countries but also in Switzerland is catastrophic. Honesty is definately in the background. Some Muslims lie, are corrupt and steal. But this behavior has nothing to do with the Koran. Reasons for this are poverty and lack of education. Another mistake is that in the treatment of others tolerence and openness is missing. I do not understand thjat as the Prophet Mohammad (peace be on him) permitted a group of Christian to pray in his mosque. Whether we call Him Allah or God, we pray to the same identiy. The difference is only by language and culture.

In Pakistan, your home country, your tolerant vision of Islam is not so appreciated.

Ahmed: The Ahmadiyya movement, which I represent, is reverting to the original Islam as preached by Mohammad (peace be on him). We liberate Islam from the additions which have come upon it over the centuries. These changes to the true Islam have demeaned it. Since 1974 the Government of Pakistan has declared us non-Muslim and persecuted us.

Then there is a reason to be afraid of Islam?

Ahmed: These atrocities have nothing to do with Islam. Intolerant Muslims have distanced themselves from the true Islam, they do no longer see the light. When these people come to power then is does look bleak. Dictators such as Ghadafi are far away from the thoughts of Islam.

How do you explain the ‘unwellfeeling’ of some Swiss?

Ahmed: 8 years ago a survey showed that 80 percent of the Swiss are not afraid of Islam. Today some people get up when a lady with hijab sits besides them in the tram. This bad feeling has been created since the anti-minaret initiative. It was an organized movement to split the society. That worries us. I find that the Muslim society in Switzerland should hold more information sessions in order to reduce the fright of some Swiss.

Are Muslims feeling comfortable in Zurich?

Ahmed : Where Muslims come into contact with the Swiss, such as in large towns like Zurich, the (anti-minaret) initiative was rejected. In the country side the mistaken information worked. This means that Muslims in Zurich are well accepted and integrated. The town is tolerant.

How do Muslims have to adjust themselves in order to live in Switzerland?

Ahmed : Every foreigner who arrives in another country is obligated to adjust himself to the new rules and regulations. One has to learn the language and follow the laws. Foreigners should stand on their own feet and not live on the host country’s expense. These basic rules apply also to Muslims. Integration however is not equal to assimilation. The own identity noone should have to give up. Every one defines integration differently. Some look for optical signs and then see in a scarf (hijab) a missing will to integrate.

Is Islam still up to date?

Ahmed : Yes, Islam does not need a reform, but the Muslims need to be reformed. The true belief of Mohammad (peace be on him) is totally in line with the progress and the speed of the current times. When corrupt governments move further away from its teachings then the development of muslims countries is difficult. There must be a will to confront the western world. After the financial crises the world’s attention was drawn to the Islamic Banking system, which prohibits interest. Due to the current critizism on the whole interest system we have become competative.

Will the Arab spring change Islam?

Ahmed : How should it? The Arab spring relates to a political system, democracy. Islam does not exclude democracy. In the Koran it is stated that we should entrust the most able person irrespective of his/her religion. That is a democratic thought. A democratic just like a real islamic Government guarantees freedom of religion. In this regard Western Governments are closer to the real thoughts of Islam.

How does the Mahmud Mosque support the understanding between the religions?

Ahmed : Dialogue is essential. With dialogue we can solve problems and find ideas in order to improve the life among the communities in the town. We are seeking to find common ground with different communities in order to build bridges for a harmonious society. With interreligious activities we want to take away the hesitations that Christians might have to come to the mosque. And finally we tell all Muslims: Loyality to your own town is a Must.

Source: Tagblatt Zurich