Monroe Muslim community hosting Interfaith Conference

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community near Monroe is inviting Sky Valley residents to attend its first Interfaith Conference, which will be based on the ideas presented in the book, "Pathways to Peace,GÇ¥ written by Islamic leader Mirza Masroor Ahmad.

Organized by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Seattle, the conference takes place from 5-7 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15, at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community mosque at 23515 Old Owen Road in Monroe. The event features speakers representing the major religions of Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam, all exploring and discussing the quest for universal peace.

The teachings of Moses, Jesus, Muhammad and Sikhism founder Guru Nanak will all be presented at the conference. The goal is to have a discussion on how to best facilitate worldwide peace in today's world of increasing technological advancement, by exploring the teachings of these religious founders. A complimentary dinner will be provided to all guests.

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Imam Zafar Sarwar is hoping the event will help convey the message that Islam is a religion based on peace. Sarwar serves as the Ahmadiyya's Muslim Community's regional missionary, and goes by the title "Imam,GÇ¥ which is typically used to describe the prayer leader of a mosque.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community recently purchased property in the Monroe area, and is currently transitioning there from its Lynnwood mosque and working to become integrated in the community. Members have spent time communicating with mosque neighbors to help dispel negative rumors about Islam.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a peaceful Islamic sect founded more than 125 years ago by Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. An Ahmadiyya missionary brought the community to the United States in the 1920s, establishing Ahmadiyya as the oldest Muslim organization in the country. Community members spread across Ahmadiyya's 73 U.S. chapters study the word of the Holy Quran, and believe in both the new and old testaments of the Bible.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is established in 207 countries worldwide.

"All over the world, by the grace of God, the missionaries ' they are working and they are spreading Islam, not by force, with love and affection,GÇ¥ Sarwar said. "Our slogan is "love for all, hatred for none.' GÇ¥

Currently, the community is still holding services at its Lynnwood mosque, but hopes to be completely moved in to its Monroe location in the near future. A portion of the former Eastlake Community Church campus is planned to be remodeled to fulfill the community's need for formal prayer halls.

The community worships based on the five pillars of Islam that guide the foundation of Muslim life. The five pillars are belief, worship, fasting, almsgiving and pilgrimage. -á -á

Ahmadiyya Muslim Community vice president Wakas Malik said members of the community believe the source of all religion is the same God, meaning they believe the god of Muslims is the same as the god of the Jews or Christians.

"We believe that at the source of all these religions is the same God,GÇ¥ Malik said. "So because we believe in the source, therefore we must believe in all his messengers and his books, so that's the philosophy behind it.GÇ¥

Malik said that, so far, they have had wonderful experiences connecting with Monroe residents, including Mayor Geoffrey Thomas, who has welcomed the community with open arms.

"He's a wonderful person and wonderful friend of the community,GÇ¥ Malik said. "He actually helped us get a speaker for this upcoming event.GÇ¥

Ahmadiyya community members have occasionally received candid responses while out touring neighborhoods in the area, Malik said, adding they welcome the opportunity to change negative perceptions about the Islamic religion. Media coverage of conflict and turmoil in the Middle East has furthered an erroneous assumption that all Muslims are violent, he said.

"People have the notion that perhaps all Muslims are like that. But when they speak to us, when we tell them about our message, when we tell them about our motto, "love for all hatred for none,' there's little doubt left that we're perhaps different than what they've seen of Muslims in the media,GÇ¥ Malik said.

Malik said the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's goal is to revive the peaceful state of Muslims by furthering the real teachings of Islam. All are invited to visit the mosque and use the facility as a community center.

"We, as a community, are open. They're welcome. If they have any inhibitions or any reservations about Muslims and Islam, the best way is to go speak to one ' connect with someone,GÇ¥ Malik said. "That personal connection takes away a lot of misunderstanding.GÇ¥

According to basic Islamic teachings, Sarwar said there is no compulsion in religion. The Ahmadiyya community is a humanity first organization, said Sarwar, and in serving Islam, community members focus on taking care of humanity. A key part of the Islamic teachings is that worshipers must worship their God while at the same time caring for humanity.

It is this basic practice of Islam that inspired the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's Muslims for Life program, through which the community hosts blood drives. In the last four years, the community has hosted a total of 1,074 blood drives and collected more than 39,477 pints of blood; enough to save more than 118,000 lives.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's first Monroe blood drive was held at the mosque on Sept. 12.-á -á -á -á

For more information about the event, visit www.eventbrite.com/e/pathways-to-peace-tickets-18982106993?aff=es2. For more information on the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, visit www.ahmadiyya.us.