Commencing on 20th February 2013 in Schaffhausen City Library Jamaat Ahmadiyya Switzerland held a very informative Islam and Koran exhibition which ran for five weeks until 28 March 2013. The exhibition included 30 roll up banners on a number of themes about the teaching of Islam as well as an introduction to Jamaat Ahmadiyya, the Koran in several languages as well as numerous books and brochures in German language. In order to publicize the exhibition 2000 flyer’s were distributed by Jamaat in the major conurbations of Schaffhausen Canton. The library administration also published 500 flyer’s which were distributed to the public. To further promote the exhibition advertising was carried in 120 buses in the Schaffhausen Canton as well as on 15 advertising boards in the city of Schaffhausen itself. Jamaat Ahmadiyya Switzerland in conjunction with the library authorities issued official invitations to important personalities and organisations to attend the opening evening of the exhibition.

It was a very difficult and challenging task to persuade the library and other public authorities to hold the exhibition and the effort took over a year before the idea of holding an exhibition in the city library was approved by the authorities. In this regard Mazufar Shah sahib who resides in this city was blessed to provide extraordinary service in this matter.

The opening ceremony took place on 20th February 2013 and the welcoming address was delivered by Claudia Clavadetscher the Deputy Head of Libraries, this was followed by a brief introduction of Jamaat Ahmadiyya by the Cantons most authoritative religious personality Priest Markus Sieber who emphasised the peaceful and tolerant nature of the Jamaat. After this City Councilor for Education and Culture Urs Hunziker addressed the gathering, he admired the idea of holding such an exhibition in the library and said it should help to alleviate misunderstandings about Islam as well as helping to gain a meaningful understanding of the religion of Islam. After this Imam Sadaqat sahib, in charge Murrabi Switzerland delivered a speech on the topic of “Islam a peaceful religion”. The final speech was delivered by Amir Jamaat Switzerland Walid Tariq Tarnutzer sahib on the topic “An introduction to Islam Ahmadiyyat, the true Islam”. After the speeches were concluded half an hour was devoted to a question and answer session with the guests and public. The opening evening of the exhibition was attended by a cross section of society including forty five educated men and women. The President of schools for the canton of Schaffhausen expressed her delight of the exhibition to in charge Murrabi sahib and confirmed her commitment to write to the schools and educational institutes recommending that they arrange to attend the exhibition.

After this City Councilor Urs Hunziker cut the ribbon, thus officially declaring the exhibition open. The exhibition remained open to the public and was the center of attention for five weeks during which time thousands of people were able to visit and benefit from the exhibition. School classes arranged to visit the exhibition and gave positive feedback. The majority of attendees spontaneously expressed that the exhibition had dramatically changed their viewpoint, for the better, about Islam. The public also took a particularly keen interest in the literature available during the course of the exhibition.

The most popular books were the “Holy Koran” as well as “The Life of Muhammad (pbuh)”. The regions most well read newspaper the Schaffhausen Nachrichten twice published detailed news about the exhibition as well as giving information about Islam Ahmadiyya beliefs. In this way by grace of Allah the message of Islam Ahmadiyya reached thousands of people Alhamdolillah.

This event can also be considered for Literature distribution,

· probably thousands would have read one or more of the 30 posters, on various themes, which have been on display over the past four weeks

· over 250 books have been taken

· over 300 brochures and mini books have been taken

· hundreds of leaflets have been taken

· approx 45 non Ahmadis attended the opening evening

· approx 100 school children have visitied the exhibition and learned about a tolerant and peaceful Islam.

· those that have acquired some knowledge may then have imparted this to some of their social networks also

· The Schaffhausen Nachrichten carried very positive comments in relation to tolerance and “Love for all Hatred for none” in two separate articles on 22 Feb and 12 March.

· 120 busses in Schaffhausen carried the unifying Motto “Love for all Hatred for none” advertising the exhibition for two consecutive weeks.

· The unifying Motto was also displayed on 15 advertising boards in Schaffhausen city for two weeks this time including the following quotes:

– Muslime fuer Loyalitaet Freiheit und Toleranz
(Muslims for loyality, freedom and tolerance)

– Der Beste unter euch ist derenige,der seine Frau am besten behandelt (muhammed)
(The best among you is the one who treats his wife best (Mohammad s.a.w.s)

– Es soll Kein Zwang sein im Glauben (Koran 2:257)
(There is no compulsion in religion (Qur’an 2:257)

Similar activities are planned for other locations in Switzerland.