By: Naila Mubashir

Dr. Sheikh Ejaz Ahmad, addressing the audience at “Muhammad: messenger of peace” conference in A.D Bruce Religion Center, University of Houston

On Thursday, March 21, the Cypress Houston chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA hosted a very successful “Muhammad (pbuh): messenger of peace” conference at the A.D. Bruce Religion Center of University of Houston (Main campus). The purpose of the conference was to respond to the allegations against history’s most peace-loving person Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It was an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to learn about Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) from practicing American Muslims. Over the past several years Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) character has been maligned on numerous occasions, including a hateful video and cartoons. This event provided an educational and civil response, and demonstrated why over 1 billion Muslims revere Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), and served to build bridges of understanding. The event was a part of the first ever nationwide “Muhammad (pbuh) – Messenger of Peace” campaign launched by Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (AMC) USA.

This campaign rebukes terrorism and Islam phobia, and is designed to build bridges within the society. The campaign focuses on civility, respect, interfaith dialogue and is an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to learn about the Prophet Muhammad from practicing American Muslims.

Around 150 people attended the conference including 85 guests from other communities and faiths.

The conference started with the recitation of few verses of the Holy Quran with English translation, followed by a short video on the introduction of AMC. The moderator Ehsaan Ahmad Nasir welcomed the guests and  explained that the purpose of the conference is to give a somewhat brief insight into the life and personality of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), a description that is free from the taint of the mainstream media’s bias, free from the prejudice of caricaturists and free from the ignorance ridden portrayals of film makers. Afterwards, Dr. Ejaz Ahmed Sheikh, M.D delivered an informative speech on “Muhammad (pbuh): messenger of peace”. Dr. Ahmed gave numerous examples from the life of Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in which he practically demonstrated to promote peace, love, and brotherhood in the society. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was even persecuted physically but never retaliated. Later on, a short but interesting video presentation was shown titles “Why I love Muhammad (pbuh)”. This was followed by a speech by the guest speaker

Dr. Lynn Mitchell (Director of Religious Studies, UofH) who shared his views on Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as a peace loving man, and that stated that his fellow Christians who thought otherwise are in the wrong.

Professors from University of Houston and Texas Southern university were among the conference attendees.

Dr. Lynn Mitchell (Director of Religious Studies, University of Houston

A Q/A session was held at the end, to answer the allegations against Islam and Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) by a panel including Imam Mohammad Zafarullah Hanjra, Dr Ejaz Ahmed Sheikh and Iftikhar Ahmed Sheikh of AMC. The event ended with a silent prayer and lunch.

Imam Mohammad Zafarullah Hanjra answering question from the audience Audience enjoyed the event, showed by their rapturous applause after the speech and presentation and was given gifts including the book “Life of Muhammad”.

About Ahmadiyya Muslim Community: The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans more than 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is among the first American-Muslim organizations. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long- awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad. The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and reinstitute morality, justice and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.