U of S Muslim group hopes to combat Islamophobia with campus discussion

A student group at the University of Saskatchewan is hoping to build more understanding among cultures and help steer the world toward a message of love.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Students’ Association (AMSA) is hosting a discussion on “Islam and the New World Order” at the university Wednesday evening.

The session is meant to educate “fellow Canadians on the true teachings of Islam” and to “remove misconceptions and create peace and harmony,” according to the event description.

“The new world order we are heading towards, it’s horrific,” said AMSA President Wajahat Ahmad. “What we want to do is present a new picture … very peaceful, very just.”

He said there is a lot of Islamophobia in the world and across the country, pointing to President Donald Trump’s immigration ban and the shooting at a mosque in Quebec City.

“People are obviously scared,” he said. “But Islam is not what is being presented in the media. It has a very different face.”

Ahmad noted the main message of Islam is “love for all, hate for none” and that’s the message Ahmadiyya Muslims practice.

The discussion at the U of S is the launch of a national campaign also titled “Islam and the New World Order.”

Ahmad noted similar events are planned at 10 campuses across the country, including at Toronto’s York University and the University of Calgary.

The event takes places in the U of S Arts building, and begins at 6 p.m. on Feb. 1.