Report by: Mirza Mashhood
“Islam Teaches Love, Respect, Harmony and tolerance in the society”, said Imam shamshad
Friday, May 6th, 2016: Imam Shamshad and few members from Ahmadiyya Mosque “Baitul Jaamay” in Glen Ellyn Chicago area, were invited by a local Synagogue in Lombard “Congregation ETZ Chaim” located at 1710 S. Highland Ave, to attend the farewell ceremony of their retiring Rabbi Steven M Bob and to welcome the newly promoted Rabbi Andrea Cosnowsky on the evening of May 6th 2016.
Rabbi Steven Bob retired after 35 years of service and there were almost 400 plus guests gathered in the Synagogue to say good bye to the retiring Rabbi. The entire prayer hall was completely filled up by the guests it was beautifully organized. The one and half hour long program started at 8.15 pm with the prayer service lead by new Rabbi Andrea Cosnowsky. Afterward there were different prayer segments including introduction and showing of Torah among the congregation. Many Pastors from Neighborhood churches and Chaplain from Wheaton and Almhurst Colleges expressed their views and thoughts at the moment and also Rabbi Bob’s former students and colleagues shared their stories and good memories with the Rabbi. Among the speakers there were:
Father James Dvorsack of St. Daniel the Prophet, formerly of Christ the King Parish.
Reverend Jay Moses of Hope Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Lynn Cohick, Professor at Wheaten College.
Reverend Scott Matheney, Chaplain at Elmhurst College.
and many other classmates and former students of Rabbi Steven.
They were all there to offer a warm farewell to Rabbi Steven Bob and they all did their best job including the new Rabbi Andrea who organized the event and managed every thing very skillfully.
In the last during offering his farewell remarks, Rabbi Steven Bob grasp the attention of the whole crowed when he announced that he want to invite one of his special guest to the podium who is the Imam of Ahmadiyya Muslim Mosque in the neighborhood.
Imam Shamshad thanked to Rabbi for the invitation and cheeered up the hall with his humarous attitude immediately. After presenting a gift to the Rabbi Imam shamshad deliver his message about the true Islam, Islam Ahmadiyya. He said Islam is the religion of peace, tolerance, and Love. Also how its basic teachings surrounds the man’s action and not only mere the verbal believes or rituals. And that if in a religion there is no day to day practical obligations, and set of rules to follow that religion is a dead religion.
Imam shamshad added that if No respect, Tolerance and harmony is adopted in the society then there will be NO PEACE., and Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Stands for Peace at all fronts and at all costs.
This unique address of Imam Shamshad was greatly applauded by the entire audience who seem sincerely interested in his speech.
At the end of the formal ceremony Rabbi Steven called all of the religious leaders and special guests to the stage to honor them and conveyed his Gratitude and thanks to all the guests and had a group photo.
After the program many guests and member of congregations stepped up to Imam Shamshad to convey their gratitude about his brief but influential speech. Almost everyone praised his address and they admitted open heartedly that his speech was the best one and his words were the most heartwarming.
The program was concluded with refreshments where every body mingled up and exchanged their views and conveyed their gratitude to Out going Rabbi Steven Bob as well as incoming Rabbi Andrea Cosnowsky and also to Imam Shamshad on his wonderful address. The Imam also gave the book of Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad “World Crisis and the pathway to PEACE” and copies of Muslim Sunrise to some dignitaries and Leaders.
Contact Imam Shamshad Nasir
Masjid Baet-ul-Jaamay
2 S 510 IL Rte 53
Glen Ellyn,IL. 60137
Phone: 630-790-4100 | Fax: 630-793-4100
Email: shamshadanasir@gmail.com