Meet a Muslim Family aims to create 'united front' against terrorism
By
Sheena Goodyear, QMI Agency First posted: Monday, March 02, 2015 06:18 PM EST | Updated: Monday, March 02, 2015 06:29 PM EST
Hundreds of Muslim families across Canada are opening their doors their neighbours in an effort to "dispel myths" and "stand united" against terrorism.
The program, called Meet A Muslim Family, is spearheaded by Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama mosques from coast to coast.
"This campaign comes at a unique time, especially here in Canada given everything we've seen in the past few months, the various terrorist-related activities and various international headlines that have turned a lot of heads towards the Muslim community," spokesman Safwan Choudhry said.
"Surely, our fellow Canadians must be scratching their heads and saying, 'What exactly is going on and where is this sudden rise in radicalization coming from?'"
Choudhry said terrorist organizations of all stripes have "one thing in common, which is to create fear, which leads to division."
"We can have a chance to all be united. That will be, I believe, the biggest counter-narrative we can provide against the teachings of these extremist violent terror groups," he said. "If we can stand united, we can debunk their entire ideology."
People who are interested can sign up at MeetAMuslimFamily.com to get in touch with participating family in their area. After that, Choudry said, they can set up a coffee date or a home visit, or just chat on the phone.
Requests, he said, are "literally pouring in by the minute, and we've so far received over 1,000 enquiries."
"Canadian Muslim families all the way to Newfoundland to British Columbia are welcoming their homes to their fellow Canadians with any questions or queries, or simply to watch an NHL game together," Choudry, whose family hosted three families to watch a cricket over the weekend, said.
"The conversation doesn't have to be religious in nature, but it can be should they have any questions."
Meet a Muslim Family aims to create 'united front' against terrorism | Canada |
