Source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20170730/muslim-blessings-uk-religious-and-cultural-diversity-good-jamaica | Corey Robinson

Corey Robinson
Dub poet Mutabaruka (left) and Umair Khan, missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Jamaica, discuss religion during the opening day of the annual Muslim convention in London, England.

Umair Khan, missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Jamaica, is convinced that the island stands to benefit from cultural and religious diversity, and that is what his group is trying to bring to the island.

“When we came into Jamaica and our mosque was built in 2011, we noticed a lot of hesitation, and we realised that one of the reasons for that was a lack of understanding,” said Khan.

“As Muslims, we have two responsibilities. One is to worship God and also to treat and service His creation with kindness and love regardless of skin colour and race. People are starting to see that and we are seeing the hesitation slowly going down,” Khan told The Sunday Gleaner

ISLAM’S MESSAGE IS FOR JA

Khan said that Islam teaches messages of peace, love, patience, and humility, which he believes can assist in turning Jamaican youngsters away from crime and aid in remedying many social ills on the island.

But he accepts that it will take lots of time and effort.

“Nations cannot be reformed without the youth, and we are seeing where the young people of Jamaica need more attention. They are coming from broken homes, without father figures and need role models,” said Khan.

He added that strong values are what the Muslims are trying to instil in youngsters in Old Harbour, St Catherine, where their mosque is located.

Local dub-poet and artiste Mutabaruka, the first … read more at source mentioned above.