Report by Muhammad Ahmad, Detroit MI USA
Murabbi Shamshad Nasir sahib of Detroit Jama’at attended the 8th Congressional District Interfaith Roundtable with Rep. Slotkin on Thursday, June 11th.
The interfaith was organized by the Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin of Michigan’s 8th district to discuss the current situation on the COVID-19 pandemic and get feedback from the interfaith communities of the area.
Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin of Michigan’s 8th district
The program was kicked off by the congresswoman where she provided an update about the status of the COVID-19 in the state of Michigan. She provided a summary of the various actions she has taken as the representative from Michigan’s 8th district.
After the initial remarks, the forum was opened for questions from the attendees.
Representative of a local Hindu Temple
A representative of a local Hindu Temple inquired about how we can protect our communities from the pandemic and what would be her recommendations. To that Rep. Elissa Slotkins detailed about the actions she has taken including the legislation push regarding the COVID-19.
Ahmadiyya Muslim missionary Imam Shamshad Nasir
Regional missionary respected Shamshad Nasir sahib in his comments thanked the representative for holding such a talk on the important issue of COVID-19 via a virtual forum and also thanked her for participating Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Detroit’s centennial celebrations held on the 9th May, 2020.
Shamshad Nasir sahib then gave details of the activities of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Detroit regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We have distributed food, homeopathic medicine, donated blood for the needy as part of our centennial celebration”, said Imam Shamshad Nasir.
We have been busy doing our part in serving humanity in this region and across the country by reaching out to people, providing them with essential items. Our youth auxiliary especially has been engaged and helping neighbors and communities as well.
Imam shamshad joined the virtual conference from Masjid Mahmood where the mosque mehrab showed the background with the Kalima that was seen by the approx. 30 attendees.
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 about how to go about opening safely our community buildings, community centers, and schools During the election 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 to what Imam has said about saying the call to prayer in the Mosque and offering the prayers alone, he has been doing a similar way in his synagogue.
In response to another question regarding the brutal murder of George Floyd at the hands of police, Rep.Elissa Slotkins said that we are working very diligently to reform police and a lot progress is being made via the new legislation so that police can discharge their responsibilities without any discrimination of race and color.
Another Muslim attendee Sr. Nishat of IAGD said that we should be involved as to how we can help our Afro-American people in our communities.
At the end Imam Shamshad Nasir thanked the Congresswomen for inviting and holding such a wonderful conference and led the prayers to end meeting. He read verses of the Surah Fatiha and other Quranic prayers and prayers of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) for the difficult times.
There were approx. 30 representatives of various interfaith communities joined and attended this conference and by the Grace of Allah the message of Islam Ahmadiyya was delivered during the conference.
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