‘Mobile Muslim’ exhibit rolls into Winnipeg to fight Islamophobia

WINNIPEG — A nation-wide campaign to dispel misconceptions of Islam and Muslim Canadians, has made a stop in Winnipeg.

The caravan, which is in the midst of a cross-country trip from St. John’s to Vancouver, is aiming to combat misconceptions of their faith and Islamophobia that has begun to fester on Canadian soil.

“We need to get out and give the message – the real message of Islam,” said Zuliqar Ali, an Imam for the Winnipeg branch of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama faith.

“We stand for the message of ‘love for all, hatred of none.'”

According to Statistics Canada, reported hate crimes from

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Omer Ahmed, a volunteer for Mobile Muslims said he believes a healthy dialogue has between members of Canada’s Muslim community and those who are unfamiliar with the religion, even if it makes for – at times – difficult conversations.

“When we do have those difficult conversations, we welcome that because that”s the only way we can dispel those misconceptions,” Ahmed said.

Passersby who visited the exhibit outside of the Manitoba Legislative Building said they’re learning and focusing on similarities shared rather than differences.

“I’m a Christian and we’ve got our own crazies. So I don’t like people assuming every Christian is homophobic or persecuting people,” said Barb Janes, a visitor to the mobile exhibit.

“So I have a certain sympathy for these folks who want to put out that Islam is not all one thing.”