Auckland Muslims invite fellow Kiwis to experience Ramadan

New Zealand’s Ahmadiyya Muslim community is once again inviting fellow Kiwis to experience Ramadan, the Muslims’ holy month of fasting. On the evening of 26th of May, the Baitul Muqeet Mosque in Manukau will be the venue for ‘iftari’, (or breaking of fast) event. A regular occurrence in the annual calendar of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, the evening allows non-Muslim guests to gain familiarity with the ritual of fasting, one of the cardinal pillars of the Islamic faith.

“The holy month of Ramadan is the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar. While Muslims all over the world celebrate this month by fasting and spending time in remembrance of their Creator, the rituals of fasting and the extra prayers can be a bit of an enigma for many non Muslims. This event is our way of reaching out to fellow New Zealanders, and provide them with an opportunity to share a unique experience with their fellow Muslim countrymen”, says Mr Bashir Khan, the President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in New Zealand.

“Ramadan is so much more than merely abstaining from having food and water for a few hours. Throughout this month, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (May Peace be upon him) was constantly involved in acts of charity, be it by giving alms or by performing service to his fellow human beings”, says Imam Shafique ur Rehman, the missionary in charge of the community. “We cannot therefore stress enough, how far the actions of a few extremist Muslims are from the true teachings of the Quran and Prophet Muhammad. Our hope is that by holding events like this, we can raise the awareness amongst the wider community about what true Islam really is.”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a dynamic, fast-growing international revival movement within Islam. Founded in 1889 by Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) in Punjab, India, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community spans over 210 countries with membership exceeding tens of millions. Its motto of ‘Love for all and hatred for none’ is evidenced through the peaceful actions of its millions of followers.
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