City of Columbia and PICNA Hold "Knowing Our Muslim Neighbor" Event

​'Understanding Islam and Muslims' Presentation well received at the City Hall

​Building on Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin's initiative of December, 2016, entitled "Embracing Your Muslim Neighbor", The City of Columbia and PICNA jointly organized a much anticipated program "Knowing Our Muslim Neighbor" - 'Understanding Islam and Muslims' on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at the City Council Chambers.

​Welcoming the diverse audience, Mayor Benjamin thanked the faith and community leaders for their commitment and emphasized the need for an ongoing dialogue between our communities. The Mayor's honest and compassionate words touched the hearts of the attendees,  thus creating an environment of goodwill and understanding for the rest of the program.

​The Mayor's welcome address was followed by a presentation by Chaudhry Sadiq, PICNA President, entitled 'Understanding Islam and Muslims" that has become popular with inter-faith circles of South Carolina. In the politically charged environment where Islam and Muslims have been under the radar, people of conscience are increasingly eager to know the truth about Islam and Muslims.

​Chaudhry's presentation deals with the essentials of Islam as well as most sensitive and critical subjects like extremism and terrorism. Commencing with topics of basic knowledge on Islam, for example, meaning of Islam and Muslims, the concept of one God, the Holy Quran and Prophet Mohammed, Chaudhry went on to talk about Muslims around the globe and the American Muslims.

​Speaking without any hesitation on the crucial subject of terrorism, Chaudhry made abundantly clear that terrorism or terrorists have nothing to do with Islam and that those perpetrating acts of violence in the name of Islam are simply out of the ambit of Islam.

The next segment was a panel discussion comprising prominent faith leaders who included:
- Rev. Brenda Kneece of SC Christian Action Council
- Rabbi Jonathan Case of Beth Shalom
- Imam Omar Shaheed of Masjid As-Salaam

​The panelists spoke about the historic aspects and common roots of Abrahamic religions and answered questions from the audience. On the sidelines of this well organized program, PICNA had arranged an exhibit on Muslim Heritage and Islamic contributions to the world civilization.

​The event was attended by a cross section of the Columbia community including representatives from various faiths.