THE presence of a newly arrived missionary is expected to help strengthen the local Ahmadiyya Muslim Australia Association.
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Youth leader Shaheed Sahukhan, of Queanbeyan, said the local congregation is fortunate to have missionary Masood Ahmad Shahid help lead their religious teachings especially as they continue to grow.
With an influx of missionary graduates from Canada, Mr Shahid was able to be spared from Brisbane and travel down to support the Queanbeyan/Canberra group.
"We're very fortunate to have him here. In our community here in Canberra/Queanbeyan we've needed someone because we've grown to a level where, especially for the reformation of our youth, we need someone to help us teach the true teachings of Islam," Mr Sahukhan said.
"Masood will help run regular children's classes, classes for our youth, integrate with the community and spread our peaceful message."
There are currently more than 100 members in the Quenabeyan/Canberra region that regularly meet to pray at the Griffin Centre, Canberra.
Mr Sahukhan stressed the Ahmadiyya Muslim Australia Association focuses on a peaceful message and the organisation does not condone the actions of another Islam-affiliated group, ISIS.
"We condemn their philosophy of Jihad. This is totally inhumane and against the teaching sof Islam. Islam's Jihad was only for a decade. We are trying to promote the peaceful message of Island everywhere," he said.
"Our motto is love for all, hatred for none."
Mr Sahukhan said that while their faith believes Jesus was a prophet of God, they celebrate Christmas in a non-traditional way. They will use the festive break as an opportunity to contribute to the community.
"I guess we don't celebrate in traditional sense, we don't go decorating trees and so on but we do believe Jesus, peace be upon him, was a prophet of God. We celebrate his teachings of love for humanity and mankind," he said.
"It's an opportunity for our community to get together and have children classes and talk about what can we do for community.
"It's a time for us to meet with neighbours and wish them well for season ahead and next year."
For more information please visit www.alislam.org.au.