Source: http://www.ganderbeacon.ca/community/ahmadiyya-muslim-community-qalipu-first-nation-building-friendship-bridge-159317/ | Samantha Gardiner

Brendan Mitchell, Qalipu First Nation Band chief; Dr. Mohamed Boodhun; Lal Khan Malik, national president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community; and Andy Barker. – Samantha Gardiner

GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, NL – Two communities living in Grand Falls-Windsor came together on Saturday, Nov. 4 to build a friendship bridge.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and Qalipu First Nation Band came together to celebrate both cultures with prayers and passages from the Quran, as well as the Qalipu’s honouring song, drumming circle and travelling song.

The event was hosted by Dr. Mohamed Boodhun at the request of Lal Khan Malik, national president of the Ahmadiyya Community, who was travelling across Canada to meet with Indigenous people.

“We are a persecuted community and whenever we come to know of another community that is facing similar treatment at the hand of people, we feel a natural affinity for them,” said Malik. “In addition to the other reasons that we have to interconnect with every other community to build bridges, we feel special feelings for the Indigenous people of Canada.”

The groups’ leaders say they have a lot in common at the root of their belief systems. The motto of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is “love for all, hatred for none.”

Qalipu chief Brendan Mitchell says this is similar to the seven sacred teaching of the Mi’kmaq people: humility, honesty, respect, truth, courage, wisdom and love.

“I think we have a lot in common tonight as these two groups come togethe… read more at source.