MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 30 /CNW/ - Thousands of Muslims and Non-Muslim guests as well as international delegates are attending the 31st annual convention of Canada's Ahmadiyya Muslim Community being held at the International Center in Mississauga (Derry and Airport Roads) from June 29th to July 1st, 2007, inclusive. Over 20,000 people are participating.

The three-day event presents a series of lectures by male and female scholars and educationists to promote and encourage the spiritual development of the participants as well as to address common misconceptions about Islam and its history.

On Saturday, June 30th, lectures on contemporary issues like gender equality and the wearing of the veil, the debate regarding creationism versus evolutionism, modern lessons to be derived from the life of the Prophet Muhammad and the services of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for humankind will be presented.

On Sunday, July 1st, topics like atheism, humankind's quest for God and establishing household peace will be discussed. Canada Day celebrations will also be an integral part of this day's agenda.

The inaugural address of the event on Friday, June 29th, 2007 discussed Islam's approach to safeguarding the environment. According to Naseem Mahdi, the President of Canada's Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, although the evidence of global warming is overwhelming and dire, the Holy Qur'an gives humankind assurance that it should never despair of God's mercy provided it turns to and prays earnestly to Him and endeavors to repair the damage done to His perfect creation. Actions must follow prayers. Canadians, regardless of their faith, must mend their ways and reduce their impact on the environment.

Additional presentations included God as protector of humanity and a textual study of the Holy Qur'an.

Canadians from all walks of life interested in learning more about Islam and overcoming misconceptions regarding Muslims are attending this event. They will obtain a greater understanding of the true Islamic teachings on a range of issues as well as an appreciation of their historical context. Participants are also presented with an ideal opportunity to meet and interact with their fellow citizens, both Muslim and non-Muslim.

Many dignitaries representing different levels of government and constituencies within Canada are attending. On Friday, June 29th, the Honourable Jason Kenney complimented the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's peaceful devotion to their faith and its continued contribution to the richness of Canada's culture. Other dignitaries included the Honourable Michael Ignatieff, who praised the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's commitment to fairness, peace and justice. With their motto, "Love for All, Hatred for None", the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is best suited deal with hatred in society. In addition, the Honourable Laurel Broten stated that she was inspired by the Holy Qur'an's approach to the environment.

Additional dignitaries who attended included the Honourable Maria Minna, and the Honourable Jean Augustine.

Confirmed to attend on Saturday, June 30th are the Honourable Jack Layton, the Honourable John Tory and Her Worship Mayor Hazel McCallion. On
Canada Day, the Honourable Premier Dalton McGuinty, the Honourable Greg Sorbara, Her Worship Mayor Susan Fennell and the Chief of York Regional Police, Armand LaBarge will also grace the event.

Each year, the primary purpose of the annual convention of Canada's Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is to provide participants with an opportunity to broaden and deepen their understanding of it and the religion of Islam. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is committed to contributing to the multicultural mosaic by helping to achieve a better Canada and by encouraging both Muslim and non-Muslim Canadians to come together and live according to their creed, "Love for All, Hatred for None."

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was established in 1889 by Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India. He claimed to be the Promised Messiah and Mahdi whose advent was foretold by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and whose purpose it was to revive the true teachings of Islam as contained in the Holy Qur'an and traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has millions of
members and is established in over 180 countries. Its members are dedicated to
practicing and professing the peaceful and moderate message of Islam to the world and serving humanity. Notable members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community are the late Sir Zafrulla Khan, President of the International Court of Justice (1954-61) and the late Dr. Abdus Salam, recipient of the Nobel Prize
for Physics (1979). The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Canada was established in 1969, and its first annual convention was held in 1976.

THE CONVENTION IS OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC AND ADMISSION IS FREE. PROGRAM BEGAN AT 10:30 A.M. ON June 30th AT THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER IN MISSISSAUGA (DERRY AND AIRPORT RD.) IN HALL No. 5.

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For more information contact

Mumtaz Butt, Manager Media Relations: (416) 616-0820;

10610 Jane St.
Maple, Ontario
L6A 3A2
Canada
Web: http://www.islamevents.ca/event/jalsa07

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