To mark the the feast of Eid al-Fitr Pope Francis called for “mutual respect” between Christianity and Islam and an end to “unfair criticism.”
“We are called to respect the religion of the other, its teachings, its symbols, its values,” he said.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community hopes that an exhibition it is putting on will create an improved understanding of Islam.
“If more was known about the religion the number of incidents like the recent abuse of Muslim taxi driver Tariq Humayun in Invercargill would decline,” says Ahmadiyya Muslim Community missionary, Shafiq Ur Rehman.
He says, “One country or a small minority who are going along the path of radicalism do not represent the true Islam, they are bringing a bad name to Islam.”
Shafiq thinks the main misconception people have is that the Koran teaches violence, but, “There is nothing of that kind in the holy book. It teaches tolerance, harmony, mutual respect, freedom of faith and freedom of conscience,” he says.
The free exhibition will be held in the Glen Innes Community Centre on August 24.
The exhibition will be a New Zealand first. Event organisers plan to hold similar exhibitions in other Auckland locations.
To mark the the feast of Eid al-Fitr Pope Francis called for “mutual respect” between Christianity and Islam and an end to “unfair criticism” in a personal message on Friday congratulating Muslims on the feast of Eid al-Fitr.
“We are called to respect the religion of the other, its teachings, its symbols, its values,” he said in a statement distributed by the Vatican press office.
“I have decided to sign this traditional message myself and to send it to you, dear friends, as an expression of esteem and friendship for all Muslims, especially those who are religious leaders.
“We all know that mutual respect is fundamental in any human relationship, especially among people who profess religious belief,” he said.
Source
- Global Post
- Stuff.co.nz
- Image: New York Times
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