Amid the revelers and high security on New Year’s Eve in New York’s Times Square, there were also dozens of Muslims ringing in the New Year with a message of peace.
Just as they did the year before, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association USA carried banners demanding an end to extremism..
It’s part of a campaign this year called “True Islam and the Extremists” that will send the Muslim group traveling to mosques around the country speaking out against ISIL and other extremist ideologies.
Salaam Bhatti from Queens in New York City said if a celebration to mark the changing of the years gave his group just a few seconds to change people’s minds about his religion, it would be worth it.
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In the wake of the San Bernardino and Paris shootings, and the ensuing backlash against Muslims, the young emissaries, dressed in t-shirts with the word “Extremists” crossed out, gave away flyers listing the differences between what terrorists embrace and what mainstream Muslims actually believe.
The group even returned after the celebration to help clean up the tons of litter left behind. Bhatti said helping the community demonstrates that good deeds are the true heart of Islam throughout the year.
Photos: Salaam Bhatti
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nice… sounds like their Reformation is starting 🙂