Canada’s Travelling Exhibit Aims to Answer Questions about Islam

Qur’an exhibitions, question sessions, public talks, mosque open days and candid, open-minded discussions might be a perfect way to dispel misconceptions.

Yet, for many, meeting face to face and asking direct questions could be the best way to reach out to others and build bridges.

Towards that end, a group of Canadian Muslim youth have kicked off a nation-wide tour to give people a chance to ask any questions they have about Islam. 

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The initiative, called ‘Islam in Motion, I Am Muslim Ask Me Anything’ and led by members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association reached Saskatoon on Thursday afternoon.

Organizers are traveling across the country with a mobile exhibition, talking to Canadians about Islam and combating Islamophobia. 

“A lot of misconceptions are a result of a small group of people that don’t really follow Islam, but use Islam as a political tool,” said Shahrukh Abid, a representative with the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, CBC reported.

“A lot of questions are being asked like is Islam a violent religion? Do you guys force people to convert? Things like that. But we’re removing all those misconceptions and saying that no, we’re here in peace and that’s what Islam teaches us.”

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  Shahrukh Abid says the cross Canada tour is a chance to tackle Islamophobia. (Don Somers/CBC News)

Touring Canada

The next stop on the tour is Calgary.

“This trailer is going coast to coast. We’re travelling 16,000 kilometres throughout the country visiting downtowns and city centers to promote this,” Abid said.

“It’s just a way for us to tackle Islamophobia and let people know that we’re not dangerous. You know, that Islam means peace and that we’re here as Canadians, loyal citizens of this country,” he added.

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  Ahmadiyya Muslim youth are taking part in a national initiative called Islam in Motion: I Am a Muslim, Ask Me Anything. (Don Somers/CBC News)

There are also several organizations aiming to foster a better understanding of Muslims.

Among them are Islamic Networks Group and the Crescent Peace Society which formed after the Oklahoma City bombing.

In 2017, Muslim and former US Marine Mansoor Shams traveled across the country with a sign that read “I’m a Muslim and a US Marine, Ask Me Anything.”

In Cambridge, Massachusetts, Mona Haydar, and her husband set up a booth outside a library in 2015 with coffee, doughnuts and a sign that stated: “Ask a Muslim.” Other such events have taken place on US college campuses.

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