Amen Aqeel Haider, Mexico Correspondent
Lajna Imaillah Mexico has recently been established in accordance with the guidance of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa and consists of 92% of members being Mexican converts to Islam. The goal of the event was to show an image of Islam unknown to Mexicans.
Lajna Imaillah Mexico held its first “Interreligious Dialogue for Peace” event at the Baitul Afiyat Mosque in Mexico City on 3 March 2024.
The programme began with the recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by a brief introduction of the importance of Lajna Imaillah, as an auxiliary within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The theme of the event was “Rights of Women according to my Holy Book.”
Three speakers represented their respective faiths and spoke on the topic according to their Holy Book. Nālikavāra Martha Pichardo of the Mar de Lotos Zen Temple of Mexico represented the Buddhist faith. Catalina Echevarría Navarro, a professor of theology at the Panamericana University in Mexico City, represented the Catholic faith. My humble self, as Sadr Lajna Imaillah Mexico, represented Islam Ahmadiyyat. After the speeches of the guest speakers, there was a question-and-answer session for all participants. At the end, there were final observations from government officials and university educators, after which everyone joined in a silent prayer.
As guests enjoyed refreshments, they also had the opportunity to look at different exhibitions. Copies of the Holy Quran with Spanish translation and many other languages were available, as well as Jamaat literature. There was an exhibition about the Islamic purdah (veil) that guests especially enjoyed. Many guests enjoyed the “Try on a Hijab” booth and wore the veil throughout the socialisation period of the programme.
We had many positive comments from guests in attendance. A social worker stated “I had no idea the Quran is filled with so many verses about women’s rights. The news always misleads us about Islam.” Another guest who was from the Catholic monastery close to the mosque stated “I feel so empowered to be here today among women who are so passionate about their faith yet respectful and welcoming of everyone, the environment is filled with love and respect for each other.”
In the past five years, a neighbour of the mosque, an elderly lady, has never attended any programmes at the mosque despite living two houses down from it, but Allah changed her heart this time. When she was approached with the invitation, she was adamant that she was 100% Catholic and not interested in learning about other religions. After respectfully starting a discussion with her, she accepted the invitation, and to our surprise, she not only assisted the whole programme but also took part in the refreshments and left very mesmerised.