Report by Muhammad Ahmad, Detroit

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community holds Real Talk About Islam at the Detroit Public Library in the State of Michigan

The Detroit Public Library held a program titled Real Talk about Islam on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at their main branch located at the Woodward Ave. This is one of the oldest libraries in the State of Michigan that was opened for service on March 25, 1865. The library is situated in a large historical building within walking distance to the Wayne State University campus.

Library Director, Meghan McGowan welcomed the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to the library and then after a brief introduction, she invited Imam Shamshad Nasir to present on the subject of “Real Talk about Islam”

Imam Shamshad Nasir along with Sec. Tabligh Muhammad Ahmad and Sec. Publication Ahsan Aziz represented Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Detroit.

Imam Nasir thanked the library administration and especially Meghan McGowan, the library director for hosting such an event at the main branch of the Detroit Public Library. He then welcomed and thanked the attendees as well for coming to attend the event and understand the basic teachings of Islam.

Imam Nasir started by providing a brief summary of the fundamental Islamic beliefs and the five pillars of Islam. “Islam means peace, when we greet each other, we say Assalam-o-Alaikum, which means peace be on you”

“Every aspect of Islamic teaching revolves around unity of God Almighty, His worship, prayers and peace. Peace with oneself, peace with fellow human beings and peace in a home as a family and in the society.”, said Imam Shamshad Nasir

“Islam is a religion of nature, every aspect of the religion, may it be the prayers, fasting, relationships, all are based on nature”, he continued to elaborate.

Islam preaches absolute justice and universal brotherhood. All the unrest and turmoil we see today in the world is exactly due to the lack of these two elements. World and especially the United States is the most powerful country in the world, however if we don’t use this power judiciously and justly then peace can’t be established in the world. Islam teaches to deal with other nations and countries with justice and don’t allow to usurp the rights and resources of others.

At the end of Imam Shamshad’s formal presentation, the forum was opened up for questions and answers. Attendees asked questions regarding some of the rituals done during the Pilgrimage to Makkah.

One attendee asked specifically regarding women and their treatment and rights in Islam. Yet another attendee wanted to know more about what humanitarian activities Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is doing. Imam Shamshad answered both questions in detail.

At the end of the question answer sessions, Imam Shamshad Naisr thanked all attendees once again for taking the time to come and attend the event despite severe weather conditions. Library Director was then came to the podium to receive gift of the book “Life of Muhammad (pbuh)” along with four other books on Islam and Ahmadiyyat.

Attendees took books and flyers that included “Life of Muhammad(pbuh)”, “Islam’s Response to Contemporary Issues”, “Pathway to World Peace” and flyers on the introduction of Islam , Ahmadiyya, Jihad and other information leaflets.

After the formal proceedings, attendees had an informal conversation with Imam Shamshad Nasir and other members of the Ahamdiyya Muslim Community where they continued to ask questions on varied topics and removed many of their misunderstandings.

Below is the event advertisement screenshot that the library had on the website many weeks ahead of the event date.

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