At Annual Convention, Canadian Ahmadiyya Muslims Encouraged to be Loyal to Canada

July 10, 2006

Source: The London Free Press

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/CityandRegion/2006/07/10/1676617-sun.html

On July 10, 2006 The London Free Press reported, "Thousands of Muslims gathered in Mississauga yesterday to express their love for Canada and show they are not 'bloodthirsty terrorists.' 'Terrorism is against Islam,' said Naseem Madhi, president of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. 'Creating disorder is not acceptable in Islam.' At the 30th annual Ahmadiyya Muslim Community annual convention, Madhi encouraged Muslims in Canada to be loyal to this country. 'Loving your homeland is loving your faith,' he said. 'You cannot stay here and be loyal to somewhere else. If people say they cannot be loyal, they should go home.' But only this Islamic sect's love of Canada was evident yesterday at the International Centre as about 20,000 Muslims turned out to pray, hear Islamic teachings and profess their love for Canada. Canadian flags decorated the hall and every chair. 'As an Ahmadi Muslim my belief is loyalty to my country, my place of residence,' said Basat Khalifa, manager of media relations for the Ahmadiyya community."