A free nationwide exhibit called Explore Islam is making a stop Saturday at the Bradford West Gwillimbury Public Library.
The campaign, which is led by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association Canada, aims to educate people on the religion and remove misconceptions of it by visiting 1,000 towns and cities throughout Canada. The local stop is being hosted by the Bradford chapter of the association.
Ahmadiyya Muslims believe that Mirza Ghulam Ahmad is the Messiah. He was based in India and founded a revival movement in Islam that focused on the essential teachings of peace, love, justice and serving mankind.
Salman Ahmad, regional director of faith outreach and regional vice-president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association, said the exhibit gives Canadians the opportunity to "learn more about Islam, to give them space and a comfortable environment to ask questions, clear misconceptions and know more about religion."
He said there have also been incidents of racism and Islamophobia in Canada and he hopes the Explore Islam exhibit will help combat that.
"This campaign is an attempt to break down barriers with a dialogue and present the true teachings of Islam," he said. "This will allow us to know about the perspective and opinion of fellow Canadians, what they think about Muslims and Islam."
On the day of the exhibit, community leaders, faith leaders and residents are invited to come out and see the literature and banners, interact with Muslims, and have that dialogue and ask questions. Ahmad said it is meant to be very interactive.
Explore Islam will be at the library from from 1 to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28.
Ultimately, Ahmad said the goal is "to promote a society where everyone can live in peace harmony, despite the religious and cultural differences."
