“Ahmadiyya Muslim community is a progressive, peaceful and inclusive community and believes the long-awaited Messiah of the later days has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian”, said Imam Shamshad A. Nasir of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Rochester Hills.

Report by Muhammed Ahmad Detroit

CARO, MI area District library hosted “Meet a Muslim” event on January 22nd where more than 30 residents from CARO and surrounding communities joined and attended the event.

Erin Schmändt, Director Caro Area District Library, Melissa Armstrong, Assistant Director Caro Area District Library, and Hon. Amy Grace Gierhart, Chief Judge/Circuit Court Judge were among the dignitaries present at the event.​

Caro is located northeast of Flint and east of Saginaw in Michigan’s Thumb region in Tuscola County, with approximately 4000+ residents. Caro is the home to Pioneer Sugar Company facility and is famous for its sugar beet crop.

​Erin Schmändt, Director Caro Area District Library, kicked off the program at 6:00 PM by thanking all attendees who came in the evening to attend the program.

She welcomed and introduced Imam Shamshad Nasir and Muhammad Ahmad, Director Outreach of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community who traveled almost two hours to join for the event and answer questions from the audience.

Director, Erin Schmadt then invited Imam Shamshad Nasir, regional Imam of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for the Mid-West region to the podium for his presentation.

The Imam provided an introduction to the basic Islamic teachings and the five pillars of Islam. He gave a brief synopsis of the Islamic belief systems. He then differentiated Ahmadiyya Muslim Community as the progressive Muslim Community who believe that the long-awaited Messiah of the latter days has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian.

Imam Shamshad Nasir then touched on many topics where there has been a lot of misunderstanding including Jihad, status of women in Islam and violence, etc.

At the end, Imam Shamshad Nasir answered questions from the audience. One of the attendees asked how the life of the Holy Prophet was different while he was in Makkah compared to when he migrated to Medina. The person was of the view that Prophet Muhammad (saw) had a peaceful life in Makkah compared to his life in Medina where he fought many wars.

Imam Shamshad Nasir explained that as a matter of fact, Holy Prophet’s life in Makkah was not peaceful at all. He and his companions were severely persecuted, tortured and beaten on a regular basis. So much so that the Makkans would put them with unclothed back on hot burning stones and burning coal where they will suffer great pain at the hand of the Makkans. The persecution became so severe that they have to migrate for the sake of their lives. When they migrated to Medina, even then the Makkans wouldn’t let them live in peace and planned many attacks on Holy Prophet and his companions who were in very small number. Makkans would come and attack them. Holy Prophet and his companions were left with no choice but to defend themselves. This was when the first verse of fighting was revealed, that too in defense only.

Later, another audience member asked if Muslims have a different God, which they call Allah. Imam Shamshad said that Muslims believe only in the ONE God who created the heavens and the earth and everything in between them. Muslims believe in the God who created this universe and who is the creator of Moses, Jesus, Prophet Muhammad (saw) and all other great prophets.​

Then question-related to the status of women were asked as to why women are considered inferior in Islam. Imam responded, “Islam is the only religion that gives women the highest status so much so that according to one of the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), “Heavens lies under the feet of your mother”.

Islam gave inheritance rights to women fourteen hundred years ago when this was unheard of.

The Imam clarified that many times, the cultural norms creep into these countries where Islam is practiced and they get mixed up with Islamic teachings while they have no remote connection with the Islamic teachings.

The program concluded with the Q&A.

At the end, Imam Shamshad Nasir presented a copy of the Holy Quran and The philosophy of the teachings of Islam to Erin Schmändt, Director Caro Area District Library.

Erin thanked Imam and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for accepting her invitation to come to attend the program and take questions and provide candid answers to the questions from the audience.

Later many attendees met and asked questions informally and had conversations with the Imam and members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Muhammad Ahmad
Director of Outreach – Detroit Chapter | Ahmadiyya Muslim Community ,USA
1730 W. Auburn Road, Rochester Hills, MI 48309
P: 248.677.1316 | Website: trueislam.comp
Muslims who believe in the Messiah, Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian