Mosque Opens Doors to Public
After a recent video released by extremist group al-Shabab listed West Edmonton Mall as a possible target, Muslims at the Hadi Mosque thought it was important to show Edmontonians that Islam is a religion of peace, not violence, Global News reported.
“The purpose of this open house is to come and see Muslims are like human beings. If you cut me, my blood is the same colour as yours. I suffer the same way as you suffer,” said Mohyuddin Mirza. “We just want to promote the idea we are living in your community, come and see us, you won’t see any violence.”
Edmontonians of all faiths were invited to Sunday’s open house at the Ottewell-area mosque. Mirza said the main goal of the information session, which the mosque frequently holds, was to dispel any myths that Muslims are linked to extremism.
“What Islamic State is doing has nothing to do with Islam. It’s just a power hungry type thing they are doing,” he explained. “Islam doesn’t teach these kind of things which happened in France, for example … Islam is a religion or faith which literally means peace; total submission to the will of the Creator.”
