Tahira Khan, Samin Khan and the rest of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community want to make sure everyone knows the truth about Islam.
People don’t realize that Islam means peace and that’s what we stand for, said Tahira Khan, president of the Women’s Auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association in Albany. `Our slogan is love for all, hatred for none.`
Tahira Khan is part of several local organizations that have banded together to host a program at Temple Sinai at 509 Broadway in Saratoga Springs on Saturday, Jan. 9, where they hope to dispel common misconceptions by encouraging people to come and ask questions.
`We want people to ask any question at all, really what they have on their hearts, put it out there so we can discuss it,` said Samin Khan. `Even if it’s politically incorrect, we’re not going to be adverse to it.`
Programs like this, which promote discussion, education and, most important of all, peace, are events both women said are necessary and that they try to offer as often as they can.
`We are reclaiming our religion back; giving people the truth and reality of Islam,` said Tahira Khan. `We want to create harmony and love in the world because there’s so much trouble and angst and so many misconceptions among faiths.`
Common `facts` that people frequently get very wrong are that Muslim women are downtrodden and that they’re forced into arranged marriages with no rights of their own.
`Islam is the only religion that gives women rights. If a woman goes to work, the money she earns is her own money to do as she sees fit. The husband, on the other hand, is the one that has to earn money for the family. That’s his responsibility,` said Tahira Khan. `Women are given the freedom to choose whoever they want to marry. If they’re given the name of someone and they say ‘no,’ there is no way, according to Islamic law, that marriage is allowed to go ahead.`
Perhaps the most critical and dangerous misconception is that all Muslims are terrorists.
`There are 73-plus denominations in Islam and terrorists are a fraction. People muddy the waters; no religion will propagate hatred, it’s not godly. Our religion is literally being hijacked by people trying to gain control and be politically maneuvering and use religion as an excuse,` said Tahira Khan. `Those people who dare say [they murder] in the name of Islam we are reclaiming our faith and saying this is not going to be tolerated.`
Tahira Khan said she hopes that people will come to the event and either realize or reaffirm their belief that `we are all brothers and sisters.`
`We have so much in common with one another and there’s very little that actually divides us; themes and mottos are really running in all the same direction,` said Tahira Khan. `The main brushstrokes of every religion is the same we’re all part of the same community and that’s what makes America such a beautiful place to live in. We’re all part of the same canvas, all intertwined with each other.`
Both women know how false information turned into the broad misconceptions they seek to address.
`2001 was the first time that America was under attack by a foreign force since the second World War. It was something so horrific, not only to Americans but everyone around the world, and as an American Muslim to witness that was so dreadful that even now I have goose bumps thinking about it,` said Tahira Khan. `I hope the silver lining is to reclaim this evil, get rid of it and get goodness and purity back in the world. That’s not Islam, it’s Islam being blackened by these evil people. It’s not part of our faith, it’s against it.`
And though the fallacies most certainly exist, Tahira Khan said she rarely finds herself in volatile or insulting situations.
`Truthfully, American people are wonderful; very loving and open and that’s one reason I’m proud to be an American. You rarely come up against somebody that’s belligerent,` said Tahira Khan. `In the few instances we have trouble, most American people would stand shoulder to shoulder with us and try to help us with it.`
The event on Jan. 9 is at 5:30 p.m. at Temple Sinai at 509 Broadway. After the questions and discussion there will be a vegetarian potluck supper. Space is limited and pre-registration can be made by calling Linda LeTendre at 533-4781 or e-mailing [email protected]. Other peace and faith groups sponsoring the program are The Saratoga Peace Alliance, Temple Sinai, the Kairos Community, the Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church, Saratoga Quakers and Unitarians.
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