Detroit Jama’at Participates in an Interfaith Round-table

The Michigan Chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community participated in the 8th Congressional District Interfaith Round-table with Rep. Slotkin on Thursday, June 11th at 4:30 p. Mid-west regional Missionary Shamshad Nasir represented the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's Michigan Chapter.

The interfaith Round-table was organized by Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin of the Michigan’s 8th district to discuss the current situation on the COVID-19 pandemic and gather feedback from the interfaith communities of the area.

The program was kicked off by the congresswoman by welcoming the interfaith leaders to join hands and come together to get through the pandemic as a community. Rep. Slotkin provided an update on the status of the COVID-19 in Michigan. She also mentioned various actions that has been taken by her office of the Michigan’s 8th district.

After the initial remarks, the forum was opened for questions from the Interfaith leaders. A representative of a local Hindu Temple inquired as to how can we protect our communities from the pandemic and what would be her recommendations. To that Rep. Slotkin detailed the actions she has taken to provide help to the communities of her congressional district regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Regional missionary, Shamshad Nasir of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Rochester Hills in his comments thanked the Rep. Slotkin for holding such a talk on the important issue of COVID-19 via a virtual forum and also thanked her for her participation in Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Detroit’s centennial celebrations held on the 9th May, 2020.

Imam Shamshad Nasir provided summary of the various activities of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Detroit in relation to the pandemic, COVID-19. “We have distributed food, homeopathic medicines, donated blood for the needy as part of our centennial celebration” said Imam Shamshad Nasir.

We have been busy doing our part in serving the humanity in this region and across the country by reaching out to people, providing them with essential items. Our youth auxiliary has been engaged especially in helping neighbors and communities.

Imam joined the virtual conference from Masjid (Mosque) Mahmood’s prayer hall which generally would be filled with people but due to the pandemic conditions and the restrictions, there were not any member present.

Muneera Farooqi, a Muslim representative of IAGD commented that as Imam Shamshad has mentioned earlier, they have been helping people in the community as well during the pandemic.

Another participant asked a question as to how to go about opening up our places of worship, community centers, and schools. Rep. Elissa Slotkin responded that we are going to wait and follow the directions from the Federal as well state authorities.

One of the participating Rabbi commented that we should protect people of our congregations during the time of the pandemic of COVID-19 which is the need of the time. He referred that the what Imam has said about saying the call to prayer in the Mosque and offering the prayers alone, he has been doing a same thing in his synagogue.

In response to another question regarding the brutal murder of George Floyd at the hands of police, Rep. Elissa Slotkin said "We are working very diligently to reform police and a lot of progress is being made and discussions have started to bring new legislation so that police can discharge their responsibilities without the regard of race and color".

Another Muslim representative of the IAGD, Sr. Nishat said that we should be involved as to how we can help our Afro-American people in our communities to bring about the racial parity.

At the end Imam Shamshad Nasir thanked the Rep. Slotkin for inviting and holding such a wonderful Interfaith Round-table and led with the silent prayers. He also read out the pareyrs from the first chapter of the Holy Quran along with other Quranic prayers to cope with the difficult times the entire country is facing.

There were approx. 30 representatives of various interfaith communities joined and attended this conference.

For more information please contact : 248-677-1316 or email:tabligh.det@ahmadiyya.us

1730 W. Auburn Rd, Rochester Hills MI 48309

About Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, reformist and fast-growing international movement within Islam. Founded in 1889, the Community spans over 200 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA, established in 1920, is among the oldest American-Muslim organizations.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is the only Islamic organization to believe that the long- awaited messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. Ahmad claimed to be the metaphorical second coming of Jesus of Nazareth and the divine guide, whose advent was foretold by the Prophet of Islam, Muhammad.

The Community believes that God sent Ahmad, like Jesus, to end religious wars, condemn bloodshed and re institute morality, justice, and peace. Ahmad’s advent has brought about an unprecedented era of Islamic revival and moderation. He divested Muslims of fanatical beliefs and practices by vigorously championing Islam’s true and essential teachings.