Source: Sentinel and Enterprise

By SABAHAT AHMED

member of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Fitchburg Chapter

Currently, I identify as a Muslim, but have to wonder, if I were to convert to Christianity, would my fellow Americans be less apprehensive toward me?

If the answer you are thinking is “Yes!,” then does that mean the issue really does not lie with me as an individual but with the faith I choose to follow?

After the recent GOP debate, whether or not any of the questions regarding the best way to combat terrorism were answered to the satisfaction of Americans, one thing that can be blatantly concluded is that neither do the candidates running for the GOP nomination nor does the radical terrorist group Daesh (ISIS) know anything about Islam.

The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, stood for peace, equality and justice. Even in the time of war, his followers were prohibited from harming women, children, the elderly, members of religious clergy, as well as places of worships, including churches and synagogues. They had strict orders not to even cut trees down. The true Khalifa of Islam, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim community, stated: “All forms of terrorism and extremism are completely against the true teachings of Islam … those who seek to justify their hateful acts in the name of Islam are serving only to defame it in the worst possible way.”

Because of Prophet Muhammad’s message that loyalty to country one resides in is a part of his or her faith, I cannot suppress my pride in being an American Muslim.

Read more