Ahmadiyya Muslim Community member Nasir Ahmad Soodhun stands ready to answer the questions of local residents in downtown Fitchburg on Saturday morning. SENTINEL & ENTERPRISE / PETER JASINSKI

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FITCHBURG — Just a few months ago, Nasir Admad Soodhun was traveling through the countries of India and Bangladesh. His visit to downtown Fitchburg Saturday morning was comparatively colder.

Bundled in winter clothes, Sooddhun braved the below-freezing temperatures, along with a handful of other the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, to stand along Main Street in case anyone wanted to take the opportunity to meet a Muslim. He carried with him a sign that read: “I Am A Muslim Ask Me Anything.”

Soodhun was chatting about his recent travels when a woman in an SUV slowed down as she drove past. First she honked her horn. Then she rolled down her window, letting the frigid air spill in. She pointed to Soodhun’s signed, and shouted “I love it!” before driving off.

That was the general reaction Saturday morning. The air felt cold, but the reception was warm.

“I had one man come up to me and he was in tears,” Soodhun said. “He was just saying how much he hopes we feel welcome here.”

This was the first time that members of Fitchburg’s chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community held a “meet a Muslim” day. Local Muslims were on hand, holding signs and waving to passing cars, ready to introduce themselves and answer any question other local residents might have for them.

“We’ve had a couple people come up, but a majority will honk and smile to us,” Furqan Mehmud said.

One of the more notable encounters of the day had been with a man who approached the group when they were… read more at source.