Source: http://www.woodstocksentinelreview.com/2017/03/03/woodstock-open-house-aims-to-dispel-myths-about-islam
Young Canadian Muslims are hoping to help the public understand their religion.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association (AMYA) will be holding an Islam Understood open house at the Woodstock Public Library on March 11.
In addition to the open house, Muslim youth will be canvassing 65 towns, including Norwich and Tillsonburg, answering any questions people may have about Islam.
According to a release from the AMYA, ‘Islam Understood’ is about helping others understand the religion by showing Canadians the true face of Islam and remove any misconceptions about the religion.
“Many people haven’t had the chance to meet a Muslim face-to-face,” Imam Attaul Manan, a spokesperson for the event said. “The idea is that they can come out and meet with Muslims, and talk about whatever doubts or questions that they have.”
The AMYA also said that recent shifts in the political climate and the increasing controversy surrounding Islam and Muslims in the west has created misunderstandings about the religion, as well as a growing apprehension of Muslims.
“While some Canadians have engaged their Muslim friends and neighbours, others have become distanced,” the AMYA wrote in a release on Wednesday. “In light of recent tragic events in Quebec and the recent controversy over anti-Islamophobia, the campaign (Islam Understood) comes at a time when curiosity about Islam is at its high and questions are numerous.”
Imam Manan said that it’s important to hold this campaign, especially with what is happening in the world right now.
“We feel that Islam is a religion that is misunderstood,” he said. “Every community you go into and every country you go into, there are political problems and there are social problems. That cannot be the entire representation of an entire community or an entire religion.”
The Islam Understood open house will take place at the Woodstock Public Library on March 11 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.