They cried for their neighbour Nathan Cirillo, they condemn all violence in the name of their religion, they support education for women and believe loving Canada is a part of their faith.

In short, the Ahmadi are nothing at all like the Muslims Donald Trump and others rant about on Fox News every night.

Formally called Ahmadiyyat Muslim Jama’at, the community marked its 50th anniversary in Canada Thursday with a special gathering at Hamilton city hall. It describes itself as a revivalist movement within Islam working to restore that religion to its true, non-violent form.

Hanan Sobhi, imam of the group’s Hamilton mosque, told about 100 supporters and local dignitaries Canada has been good to the group and they want to return the favour.

“For 50 years we have called Canada home and 50 great years they have been,” he said. “We carry a deep and genuine love in our hearts for this country and this city.”

To turn those words into action, the group and its 70 chapters across the country sponsor regular blood donor clinics, regularly issue press releases condemning the violent acts of Muslim terrorists, sponsor a national program preaching against ISIL and run the Meet a Muslim program that invites interested people into the homes of local families to learn about their faith and customs.

Of all the efforts, Sobhi said bringing people together in a comfortable setting may be the most important.

“We want to give people a chance to sit down with their fellow Canadians and build bridges,” he said. “Breaking bread together is the best way to dispel misconceptions we have about each other.”

The murder of army reservist Nathan Cirillo, a corporal in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, was an incident where the community made its feelings clear. Cirillo lived in the neighbourhood of their King Street East mosque.

The community issued a strong and clear statement rejecting the terrorism that claimed Cirillo’s life by staging a solidarity rally at city hall.

In other efforts, the community’s youth group at McMaster University joined with other groups across the country to raise one million pounds of food this year for… continue reading at thespec.com