July 17, 2021
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Letter to the vandal:
Peace be upon you! Or you can also say Asalamoalikum!
Today, I came to find out that our mosque Baitul ul Kareem (this means House of the Generous) in Cambridge was vandalized due to hate. So, I decided instead of writing a letter to the editor of a newspaper or government offices, I would write this letter to you.
Let me tell you a bit about us. This building is a property of Ahmadiyya Muslim Organization. We have used this building to pray and hold community events that are open to guests. In these events, we usually discuss how we can become a better human being. How we can help others in crisis. No matter where the crises are, we usually have Humanity First stalls to help out in any way we can.
I remember decorating the mosque before the events and cleaning it after events. It was always pleasing and relaxing to me as what I was enjoying then was not always the case.
Ahmaddiya Muslim Organization has not seen vandalism or been persecuted for the first time. Many such events come to my mind that destroyed much more than just property. Some took lives that can never be replaced. However, with our aching hearts we have answered with two things … patience and prayer. Because our motto is “Love for All, Hatred for None”, emphasizing its essential teachings of peace, love, justice, and sanctity of life.
Ahmadi Muslims are in front of the line whenever humanity needs to be served. That is building hospitals, schools, providing care to the needy throughout the world.
Despite facing bitter faith-based persecution in numerous Muslim majority nations, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community continues to advocate for universal human rights for all religious and other persecuted minorities.
It likewise invests heavily in women’s equality, education, and empowerment programs. Its members are among the most law-abiding, educated, and engaged Muslims in the world.
There might be many differences between us, but I believe that if you just come to any of our mosques and give us a chance to answer your questions over a cup of coffee, you will realize that we are not what you are thinking of us.
STORIES
‘This hatred has no place in our community’: Mosque in Cambridge vandalized in ‘act of hate’
Maybe just by talking we can resolve the hate that leads to such an act.
Though it hurts to see a house of worship vandalized, no matter if it’s a mosque or church or synagogue or a Mandir, I pray that this act of vandalism opens your heart to peace.
Mubarika Ahmed
Categories: Ahmadis, Ahmadiyyat: True Islam, America, Americas, Anti-Islam Attitude, Canada, Diversity in Islam, Islam, Muslims
