“We shouldn’t shy away from these topics because it’s really genuine questions people all over the world have. We had people who thought Muslims were all one, but there are sects, and we are divided because of political reasons … all other reasons besides religion.”

-Imam Azam Akram, the regional director for the Midwest cluster

Source: theoaklandpress.com | By John Turk, The Oakland Press

Ahmadiyya Imam Azam Akram takes questions during a symposium about the Muslim faith and stopping youth radicalization at the Rochester Hills Public Library Monday, April 27, 2015. John Turk-The Oakland Press.

Rochester Hills residents recently joined the conversation involving the religion of Islam and its differences from the radical views of terrorist groups such as ISIS at a forum at the community’s library.

“These guys are Ahmadiyya Muslims. Before today, I didn’t know anything about this organization,” said Dick Manasseri, who came to the forum.

“Now I understand that when push comes to shove, they’re on my side against ISIS.”

Three speakers from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association of Metro Detroit, or AMYA, on Monday presented during a symposium called “Stop the CrISIS,” which aimed to create dialogue about the differences between ISIS and Islam and promote solutions to the problem of youth radicalization.

The AMYA is a nationwide youth group that works with young Muslim men and boys teaching community involvement and interfaith dialogue and cooperation.

Manasseri said the forum was informative because Ahmadiyya Muslims are different from other sects, such as Sunni and Shiite Muslims — a fact he didn’t know.

“They seem to be seriously committed to America and seem to understand that in these other countries, they don’t have freedom of speech; here they have freedom of speech,” said Mansseri, 71, a former IBM employee.

“I think they acknowledge and they understand that there are… read more at theoaklandpress.com

Website Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association: muslimyouth.org
Ahmadiyya Youth on Twitter at: twitter.com/stop_crisis_usa
AYMA’s “Stop the CrISIS” symposiums: stopthecrisis.us