Report by Muhammad Ahmad Detroit Michigan
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Detroit participates in the 2020 International Day of Peace hosted by Troy Area Interfaith Group in collaboration with the KYND (Know Your Neighbor Daily) on September 17, 2020.
The Troy–area Interfaith Group exists to invite all faith communities to gather, grow and give for the sake of promoting the common values of love, peace, and justice among all religions locally and globally. The TIG believes that peace among peoples and nations requires peace among the religions.
The program was organized to share prayers and readings about peace from faith leaders of different traditions, officials, and members of our community. Imam Shamshad Nasir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was among the speakers. Mayor City of Troy also attended and spoke during the program.
Program moderator Edward Chezick of Shir Tikvah introduced the agenda for the program and briefly introduced the Interfaith leaders and public officials.
He then invited Rev. Christina Hallam of the North Minister to present and read prayers from the Bible. She read prayers from the Holy Bible and at the end thanked him for the invitation and the opportunity to present.
Following that, moderator invited Imam Shamshad Nasir of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Rochester Hills, Michigan to address and read prayers from the Holy Quran.
Imam Shamshad Nasir started off by thanking the organizers to put together such a needed program during these difficult times. He then introduced himself and the Ahamdiyya Muslim Community.
“Love for all, Hatred for None, is the motto of our community “said Imam Shamshad Nasir.
“Ahmadiyya Muslim Community believes in the finality of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). We believe in the five pillars of Islam and in the coming of the Messiah foretold by every major religion along with Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)” said Imam Shamshad.
We believe that the Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (pbuh) of Qadian is that Messiah and Mahdi. He laid the foundation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in 1889 and died in 1908. After the demise his successor ship started and now we are the time of His holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad.
“These kinds of programs are the only way to bridge the differences between communities and we welcome such efforts” said Imam Shamshad.
We all need to come together to bring peace in our homes, communities, and the world. Individually we can work to bring peace in our homes but collectively we can work together to bring peace in our society. We welcome everyone in our Mosque, in obeying the teachings that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) taught us to love and live in peace and harmony.
We must love people as only prayers will do nothing if we hate others on one hand and pray on the other. God does not like people who are cruel and usurp the rights of others. We must cleanse our hearts, respect each other as per the teachings of the Holy Quran.
Imam Shamshad Nasir then recited verses of the Surat Al-Fatiha which is the first chapter of the Holy Quran and verses of which describe praise of Almighty God and prayers for humanity. Imam Shamshad concluded his dissertation by providing the translation of the verses he recited from the chapter Al Fatiaha.
Edward Chezick invited Rabbi Menachem Caytak of the Jewish Center of Troy. Rabbi Menachem narrated a story on the Jewish inmates and the sufferings they went through and then urged for peace in our lives. He later prayed from his scriptures.
Padma Kuppa represented the Hindu Faith and read prayers from the Hindu Scriptures.
Mayor of the City of Troy, Ethan Baker then thanked all the organizers and the attendees for organizing such a wonderful program. He then presented a proclamation on behalf of the City of Troy. He mentioned that in 1984, the UN declared the 17th of September International Day of Peace. Mayor Baker declared September 17, 2020 as the “Day of Peace in the City of Troy”
Then Mr. Yunus, chairman of the Intercultural Association of Michigan was invited to say a few words. He highlighted that we need peace and harmony now more than any time due to so many things happening in the world, including the Covid-19. He also read verses of the Holy Quran.
At the conclusion, Edward Chezick thanked all the presenters, faith leaders, public officials and the attendees. Approximately 56 people attended the program.