Offering Britons an unprecedented journey into Islam, the Muslim community in East Staffordshire is organizing a special exhibition for an in-depth look into the religion to help clear misconceptions about the faith.

“We have seen a real diverse mix of people, of all ages, faiths and walks of life, coming to have a look at the exhibition” Shaid Hussain, who organized the event with the Midlands Muslim Community and East Staffordshire Borough Council, told Burton Mail.
Themed “Exhibition Islam” the two-day event gives visitors the chance to get a better understanding of the Islamic faith.

The exhibition, which opened on Monday February 25, features discussions on a range of topics, film shows, food stalls, music and poetry.

Among the topics being discussed are the five pillars and the basic beliefs of Islam, the life of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the Noble Qur’an and the status of women in Islam.

Great achievements of Islamic architecture, art and the relationship between Islam and other faiths are also being discussed along with showing films about the Islamic religion.

Giving an in-depth look into Islamic cultures, the event also offers a wide selection of traditional food. Visitors are also able to experience Henna hand painting.

“The response has been fantastic and we couldn’t have hoped for any better after all the hard work and planning that has gone into the event,” Hussain said.

The exhibition is free for all visitors of different faiths.

“If anyone has not yet attended please come along, ask some questions and get involved,” Hussain, who owns Good News, in High Street, said.

“It doesn’t matter how old you are, or what religion you are part of – we just to forge better links across the town.”

The event is supported by a range of organizations, including Burton and South Derbyshire College, Burton Town Center Management and East Staffordshire Borough Council.

True Islam

Organizers hope the exhibition help would clear misconceptions about Islam.

“The idea is to expand on what Islam is and explain that to people – whether they know very little or want to expand on what they already know,” Hussain said.

“We want people to know that Islam is not an alien concept – it is here, has been here for a long time and is here to stay. So the more people that know about it, the better.”

Hussain hopes that the exhibition would help Britons understand ‘Islam is not the enemy’.

“This is not a mission to convert people – it’s a mission to better educate people so we can all get along and understand each other a lot better,” he said.

“We want people to know that Islam is not the enemy and we think this exhibition is the perfect way to get that message across.”

Britain is home to a sizable Muslim minority, estimated at nearly 2.5 million.

The majority of the multi-ethnic minority has Indian, Bengali and Pakistani backgrounds.

In 2011, think tank Demo found that Muslims in the United Kingdom are more patriotic than the rest of population.

Responding to the statement “I am proud to be a British citizen”, 83% of Muslims said they are proud of being British.
http://www.onislam.net/english/news/europe/461547-british-exhibition-offers-journey-to-islam.html

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