Mosque’s Christian-Muslim events bringing communities together
A local mosque hopes to promote multiculturalism and inclusiveness through monthly Christian-Muslim events.
Held at the Windsor Mosque, Imam Shaikh Mohamed Mahmoud said the events are something this community needs.
“It’s more to build a bridge and bring the communities together,” said Mahmoud before the third monthly event began Sunday night.
The events are hosted by the Windsor Islamic Association.
In October, when the monthly gatherings kicked off, it held an open house for the two communities — Christian and Muslim — to come together.
Last month there was a discussion on the Exodus, as described in both the Bible and the Qur’an.
Sunday’s event was a symposium to discuss lessons from the life of Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus.
“Mary is a unique human chosen by God and is revered by both Christians and Muslims,” said Mahmoud. “She demonstrated true devotion to God, the epitome of motherhood and extraordinary forbearance.”
Mahmoud said finding similarities in the beliefs of Christians and Muslims is a good icebreaker.
“It’s not a debate or something — like who’s right or who’s wrong — it’s an interfaith dialogue,” said Mahmoud. “This is a step for us to work together for something common.”
Mahmoud said this is also an opportunity to break stereo- types about Muslims and for people to learn about a faith other than their own.
“Sometimes Muslims are depicted differently, like they are terrorists or something like that,” said Mahmoud. “So some people come here with fear, but they leave with love.”
Sunday’s guest speaker was Rev. Kevin George from St. Aidan’s Anglican Church in London. About 300 people attended, which is a similar turnout to last month, said Mahmoud.
Mahmoud said since the events began, he has had nothing but positive feedback through surveys he distributes.
But he said the idea to bring the communities together wasn’t always supported.
“From our community, we have some people who always object to something new — they have a resistance,” said Mahmoud. “So for example, they would wonder why we would bring a priest to give a lecture or preach in our mosque. “But it’s those same people who say they were mistaken and believe this is a good idea, he said.