Source: bradfordtimes.ca

Team sports not only build unity, team spirit and co-operation, but are fun – here, Human Foosball, at the National Islamic Youth Camp held at the AMJ property on 10 Sideroad in Bradford, Ont. on Friday July 24, 2015. Submitted

Bradford – From July 24 to 26, thousands of Ahmadiyya Muslim youth from across Canada attended the 28th annual Ijtima – a youth camp designed to teach youth about Islam, dispel misconceptions, and promote a sense of unity and brotherhood.

It is a difficult time to be young and a Muslim. There are negative images in the media, and pressures from groups seeking to radicalize youth.

“Many Muslim youth feel they are at a crossroad between Islamic values and living in the west,” said Tahir Ahmed, President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association. “We at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association are practically showing that Islam and the West can coexist.”

The camp included seminars, interactive workshops, educational competitions, poetry contests in English, French and Urdu; sports activities, and prayer, said local spokesperson Hassaan Shahid.

Over 2,300 young men over the age of 15, from as far away as British Columbia and Alberta, and from Detroit, Michigan, came to camp out on the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at property on 10 Sideroad, attending activities on the grounds and in a tented city established for the 3-day event.

“We realize there’s a couple of thousand people, with all different interests,” said National spokesperson Safwan Choudhry, explaining the range of topics and activities, and the focus on sports. “Sports bring out the best of us. The perfect example is the Pan Am Games.”

Choudry explained that the basketball games, volleyball and other sports are designed not only to “show the excellence of your fitness,” but to demonstrate “the brotherhood that comes from sports.”

Rockwall climbing, Human Foosball, team wrestling were balanced by activities that included the “Smartest Man” competition, public speaking, and a Jeopardy-style quiz that challenged teams from York University and McGill. “It’s designed to be well-rounded,” Choudhry said.

“The camp will promote brotherhood and unity among youth and give them a sense of community – the most powerful counter-narrative to terrorist groups and radicalization.”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim community, founded in 1889, now has tens of millions of members, in over 200 countries. Their motto is Love for All, Hatred for None.