Source: simcoereformer.ca

We have to separate extremist ideology from religion,” he said. “We are mad too about what is going on in the name of Islam.

Hanan Sobhi, Imam of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Hamilton, played host to an open house at the Port Dover library on the weekend. The purpose of the visit was to spread understanding of the Muslim faith at a time when Islamic extremists are dominating the headlines. (MONTE SONNENBERG Simcoe Reformer)

PORT DOVER – A group of Muslims came to Port Dover this weekend hoping to spread understanding about their faith. Joseph Beattie of Port Dover, an ex-member of the Canadian Armed Forces, was waiting to speak to them.

For a couple hours Saturday afternoon, Beattie engaged Hanan Sobhi, Imam of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Hamilton, in a debate at the Port Dover Library about Islam and what he sees as its shortcomings. The discussion was civilized, but Beattie didn’t mince words about his position.

“If there are 1.6 billion Muslims in the world, why aren’t they demonstrating in the street because their religion has been hijacked?” he said. “Why aren’t they demonstrating every day? They demonstrate every time something happens with the Palestinians. Why don’t they protest like that when it comes to terrorism?”

It bothers Beattie that Muslims erupt with emotion when someone produces a cartoon of the prophet Mohammed but have nothing to say when Islamic extremists behead foreign hostages and post it on the Internet.

Beattie also criticized sharia law – a civil code based on Muslim teachings – as oppressive to women and non-believers. Beattie added that Islam’s hostility to publications that mock or criticize religion contradicts western tenets of free speech.

Sobhi responded to all comments and questions calmly and thoughtfully. He explained that Islam is a religion of many beliefs, with as many as 73 distinct sects world-wide. The Ahmadiyya denomination he represents, he said, is anti-violence, anti-extremism and anti-terrorism.

“We targeted these communities where there are not many Muslims so we can talk to people about real Muslims,” Sobhi said of his visit. “We want to show people that Muslims are a peaceful people and that we too condemn acts of terrorism.”

Sobhi was born in Pakistan and came to Canada at age 4. He subscribes to the view that violent terrorists come to religion with pre-existing mental problems. He said distorted interpretations of Islam that emphasize martyrdom, violence toward others and disrespect for women and non-believers are simply an excuse for lashing out.

Beattie doesn’t buy it. Even if a small percentage of Muslims are sympathetic to extremism, he said that represents millions of… read more at simcoereformer.ca