Religion is a very complex, and sometimes dangerous, topic. In a country as diverse as Canada, it is important that we, as a people, attempt to extinguish the danger and make it a topic we can all approach without any cause for concern. That is why October is Canadian Islamic History, a month that should be used to educate ourselves and others on not only the Islam faith, but religion and culture as a whole.
WHAT IS ISLAM?
Islam is the world’s second largest religion with an estimated 1.9 billion followers, known as Muslims, representing nearly 25% of the world’s population. Islam is also the fastest growing religion in Canada.
While those numbers are impressive, they still don’t answer the initial question. What is Islam?
In Islam, Imam is the title given to the worship leader of a mosque. Imam Aarij Anwer holds this role at the London Muslim Mosque. The Imam explained to me what the true core of Islam is.
“The core of our faith is you don’t need anyone to come between you and God,” says Anwer. “That’s the message we believe every prophet preached and lived.”
While this seems simple enough, a Muslim’s relationship with God is of the utmost importance. Although important, this is just the tip of the iceberg of the Islamic faith. Imam Aarij Anwer delved even deeper into the religion’s beliefs.
“The Muslim who believes and is part of the faith believes they are part of a tradition that goes all the way back to Adam,” expresses the Imam. “We see ourselves as a continuation of the legacy of Abraham and a fulfillment of the message of Jesus and Moses, peace be upon them all. The finality is, peace be upon him, Prophet Muhammad. He is like the final brick in the wall.”
These may seem as though they are complex beliefs, but they are no more complicated than any other religion and even have overlapping elements with faiths, such as christianity.
WHY THE DIVIDE?
There is no foul in following one religion over another, as long as their is no hostility that comes with it. In this day and age, there is no room for judgment, so why does there seem to be a strong and distinct divide between followers of different religions? Is it the lack of education or could it be sheer ignorance from hateful communities?
Dr. Munir El-Kassem is the Director of Religious Affairs at the Islamic Centre of Southwestern Ontario. A lifelong follower of the Islamic faith and native of Lebanon, Dr. El-Kassem does not see the need for judgment and believes human beings were made to love, not hate.
“Human beings should really love one another and respect each other,” he suggests. “If you approach God in a different way, we know that if I want to go to Toronto, I can take the 401 or Highway 2 or the 403. People go from different routes, but in the end, we all arrive in Toronto. [God] left it to us to seek unity.”
That analogy, while a simplistic concept, speaks volumes to how our world should get along compared to how it does. All believers and followers, while following a different set of beliefs, all have the same goal at the end of their religious journey. Peace.
Even while optimistic, Dr. Munir El-Kasssem understands the episodic lack of peace, but suggests ways to eliminate it.
“Some politicians went as far as calling Islam a cancer that needs to be excised and gotten rid of. So, I invite people to come forward and ask and meet. All of our places of worship are open to everybody.”
THE IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING
What better time to escape your comfort zone and learn than Islamic History Month. The cause of all judgment is a lack of education. If everyone just opens their minds for others, that judgment could be abolished.
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