Students make unexpected discoveries in Israel
by Brian Moskowitz, Special to The CJN,
SASKATOON — A new program at the University of Saskatchewan is introducing aspiring business leaders to the international stage and creating connections with entrepreneurs and universities in Israel and Jordan………………
The 10-day tour held in May exposed students to the economic and cultural growth of the Jewish state and the importance of potash mining to Jordan’s development.
After passing through security, the first-time visitors were anxious to begin the tour, but one student had other reasons for feeling nervous.
With the Islamic Republic of Pakistan’s seal stamped on his Canadian passport, finance major Qamar Ahmed attracted the attention of Israel’s border authorities, provoking a barrage of questions about family, friends and religion.
“After the officer asked me if I was Muslim, I told her I belonged to the Ahmadiyya Islamic Community and came to visit our Haifa mosque. Once I mentioned that, she began to relax,” Ahmed recalled.
Ahmed’s great-grandfather, Mirza Bashir Ahmed – son of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908), believed by Ahmadis to be the Islamic messiah – travelled to Israel in the 1950s and established a community in Haifa.
“This experience at the Mahmood Mosque was unbelievable and humbling,” Ahmed said, referring to the mosque built by the Israeli Ahmadi community in the 1970s………
“It’s never a surprise to me when people find meaningful connections to Israel, whether because of religion, family background, etc.,” said Dylan Hanley, director of Canadian Academics for Peace in the Middle East, which donated $20,000 and co-ordinated the trip………
Despite the suspicious reception at Ben-Gurion airport, Ahmed’s experience of the ancient and modern aspects of Israel – including test-driving an electric car at Better Place – changed his views about the country.
“Before I visited Israel, I had a negative opinion of it. But travelling really opens your eyes, and it’s important to experience things first hand. Otherwise you’re doing the country an injustice,” Ahmed said.