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

The three-day event will showcase 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. Lectures and presentations will include discussions on
Islam's perspective on the environment, gender equality and the wearing of the veil, the debate regarding creationism versus evolutionism, the use of metaphor in the Holy Qur'an (Islam's holy scripture), establishing peace at home, as well as humankind's quest for God.

On July 1, 2007, Canada Day celebrations will also be an integral part of the event's agenda.

Canadians from all walks of life interested in learning more about Islam and overcoming misconceptions regarding Muslims will attend 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 will also be 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 expected to attend, including the Right Honourable Premier Dalton McGuinty, the Honourable John Tory, as well as many other Members of Federal and Provincial Parliament, Mayors and Councillors.

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 BEGINS AT 5:00 P.M. ON June 29th AT THE INTERNATIONAL CENTER IN MISSISSAUGA (DERRY AND AIRPORT RD.) IN HALL No. 5.

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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