Local Shia Muslims organize peace walk

March to dispel myths, honour local veterans

WATERLOO REGION — About 100 local Muslims gathered in Waterloo to walk for peace Saturday.

It’s the fifth annual walk organized by members of the Islamic Humanitarian Service in Kitchener as a commemoration to Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, a historical figure for Shia Muslims.

This year’s peace walk coincided with annual Remembrance Day services with many walkers wearing poppies.

They marched from the plaza at University Avenue and Bridge Street to the Islamic Humanitarian Service on Hollinger Crescent.

“We are here working for unity and peace,” said Duaa Alaghar.

Alaghar said Imam Hussain stood up against racism, injustice and oppression and each year the Islamic Humanitarian Service marks his passing.

Shia Muslims commemorate Imam Hussain during the month of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar, which is a lunar calendar.

And this year, with Remembrance Day, “we remember our veterans who fought for our country,” she said.

Alaghar said it’s important to demonstrate peace by walking to show the community that “our God teaches us nothing but love.”

“Our prophet never tells us to kill people or run them over in the streets,” she said.

“Whoever kills is like killing mankind.

“Our religion teaches us peace, mercy and compassion,” Alaghar said.

Organizers gave out single roses with phrases said by Imam Hussain attached to the flower.

Mehdiya Walji, 26, who works as a family outreach worker at the House of Friendship, was distributing roses to customers pumping gas nearby.

“They were a little resistant at first but in the end they smiled,” she said.

Aethar Marhon, 13, has been walking in the peace march for three years and says she hopes the peace walk dispels myths about Muslims and their religion.

When one person who is Muslim commits a crime “it makes the whole religion look really bad,” said the Grade 8 student at Northlake Woods Public School.

“We want to spread the message that this is not true,” she said. “We are a peaceful religion.”

MATHEW MCCARTHY, RECORD STAFF Many people took part in a peace walk on Bridge Street that ended at the Islamic Humanitarian Service in Kitchener on Saturday.