Peace Seminars in Surrey

2007 Seminars | Feedback | Press Coverage

2007 Seminars

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is holding a series of walk-in peace seminars in Surrey throughout 2007.

Five successful walk-in peace seminars have been held in Surrey so far this year as follows:

The seminars have been designed to be as informal and flexible as possible so that guests can come and go as they wish without adhering to a fixed programme. This is to encourage attendance.

In order to publicise the events, letters of invitation are sent to the MP, district and parish councillors, local churches, local schools and local police. Details of the events have also been published in the local press, local council website, and notices placed on local parish noticeboards, church noticeboards and in local shops.

The seminars consist of an exhibition of posters, maps to show UK and international distribution of Jamaat branches and Quranic calligraphy, a photograph of Hadhrat Masih Maud (as) displayed, a display of Jamaat books and brochures, informal one to one discussions, an open question and answer session (depending on numbers attending) – this has included Muslim and Christian prayers and a short introduction to the Jamaat – and a brief talk on Islam’s Response to Contemporary issues (again depending on numbers).

Feedback

By the Grace of Allah positive feedback has always been received. The following is a sample of the comments received made on the feedback forms given to each participant:-

• “I am greatly impressed by your desire to explain Islam and the relationship with our culture/faith. I am reassured by the truths we share. Thank you.”
  

• “An excellent format which allows people to take their time to view the information provided and to have one to one discussions.”

• “We hope to see more of your community in the future and hope that we can grow more closely together.”

• “Thank you so much for coming to our village.”

• “Thanks for answering my many questions and giving up your time to spread the message most of us don’t see or hear!”

• “Thank you for your time, conversation and warm welcome. Thank you once again.”

A total of 94 guests attended the seminars. The participants included mayors, councillors, teachers, police representatives, vicars and local residents. The feedback form also asks what they thought of the event, any comments on improvements or whether they would like any other type of event organised and whether they would like to visit the Baitul Futuh Mosque. Contact details are sought although this is not insisted upon. Letters of thanks are sent to participants who have given their address. They have also been invited to the Jalsa Salana.

Further peace seminars have been arranged in other Surrey villages for the remainder of this year. It is hoped, Insha-Allah, that the Tabligh Department will be able to organise similar peace seminars in the villages around Hadeeqa-tul- Mahdi next year.

Press Coverage

The following article appeared in Surrey Advertiser, 22nd June 2007 covering the Cranleigh Seminar.

For further information about our programme of peace seminars please e-mail us at seminars@ahmadiyya.org.uk