Muslims go on cross-country tour to thank Canadians, dispel myths - Action News
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Montreal

Muslims go on cross-country tour to thank Canadians, dispel myths

A group of Ahmadiyya Muslims are on a cross Canada tour of more than 25 cities to address misconceptions about their religion.

Hashtag #MobileMuslims lets others follow the exhibition across Canada on Twitter

James Sinclair, right, converted to Islam two years ago and now works as a spokesperson for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. (Antoni Nerestant/CBC)

A group ofMuslims are on a cross-Canadatour of more than 25 cities to debunk misconceptions about their religion.

The roving band of faithful, part of theAhmadiyya branch ofIslam,are in MontrealJuly 24 and 25 with their campaign called #MobileMuslims.

"What we're trying to teach people is that Islam is completely removed from violence and terror," spokespersonJames Sinclair told CBC News.

"People who do acts of violence or any type of terrorism or extremism are completely removed from the faith."

Some of the misconceptions they say they want to address involve the veil, jihad and the Prophet Muhammad.

"The best thing for a person whowants to learn about hijab is toask the women who are actually wearing the hijab,"said imam Ferhad Ghaffar, who is part of the caravan.

Ghaffar added that violent events in the Middle East don't represent Islam.

Ferhad Ghaffar is an imam and member of the #MobileMuslims campaign which is travelling across Canada and handing out literature about Islam. (Antoni Nerestant/CBC)
"We want to educatepeople about the true jihad. The jihad is not aphysical war,"Ghaffar said.

The tour started inSt.John's, N.L. on July 13 and will end in Vancouver, B.C.

Sunday the exhibition stopped in Montreal for two days.

In addition to addressing misconceptions, the tour was createdtothank Canada for the freedom it's given the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to practice freely since it camehere 50 years ago.

with files from Antoni Nerestant