Source: abc27.com
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) – About 8,000 people have come out to the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg, all to spread a message of both faith and peace at the 68th annual Ahmadiyya Muslim Convention .
“It’s spiritually uplifting and rejuvenating.” said Ahsan Khan.
Khan has come to the convention in Harrisburg every year. This weekend, he spoke to a crowd of thousands. “Kind of focus on our faith and on the peaceful message of Islam.”
That message of peace is what Khan hopes is the major takeaway from this weekend. “If you look at the extremes, there’s Islamophobia and than there’s extremists, but, there’s this huge middle area that we all belong to.”, said Khan
Harris Zafar is the national spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, which is the largest and oldest Muslim community in the U.S. “There’s been this rise of radicalization and extremism in some Muslim circles, while there’s also a rise in Islamophobia and attacks against Muslims, or fear of Muslims. and so, we want to address that.”
This is the fifth year the convention has been held in Harrisburg. Zafar sees it as the perfect time to address problems in the Muslim community…
and find answers. “We’re not burying our head in the sand. we know there are Muslims doing bad things out there. but, we’re trying to say, how Islam can be the solution for them.”
Since it’s a campaign year, and his faith has been lightning rod for candidates, Zafar hopes the convention can be a step toward unity. “We’re in this together. and I think it’s very important for Americans to know that we’re not adversaries.”
Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community hope to continue holding their convention in Harrisburg for the foreseeable future.