Imam knocked back on interfaith efforts
Aizaz Khan
(CNS): A Toronto-based imam from the Ahmadiyya Community, a sect of Islam dedicated to peace and interfaith cooperation, offered to explain Islam over a coffee to anyone in Cayman interested in understanding why the vast majority of the world’s Muslims are not terrorists. But Aizaz Khan received a less than warm welcome by local Christians during his short visit. Khan arrived on vacation a few weeks ago and offered to answer any questions anyone had about Islam. Hoping to meet with local Christian leaders to begin building bridges, he instead was met with insults and derision.
Khan arrived at a time when some people are ratcheting up anti-Islamic rhetoric because Cayman’s new governor, Anwar Bokth Choudhury, who will take over from Helen Kilpatrick next March, is Muslim. A campaign has been started by local activist Kerry Tibbetts to have the new governor replaced. She has said the FCO is being insensitive appointing a non-Christian to the job. CNS also understands that another group of local people has also written to the FCO expressing their dissatisfaction about Choudhury’s appointment.
With opposition to people of other faiths taking on the top job, Khan’s visit came at an interesting time. But he said that his offer to discuss the issue of religion, and Islam in particular, was largely rejected by the local Christian community. He found younger people and some less conservative Christians, as well as those from the Filipino Christian community, were in some cases happy to engage. Khan said he was really grateful to those people who were willing to embrace his offer and ask lots of questions over coffee.
But being called “scum” by some Christians surprised him, he said, as he was just offering to talk and nothing more.
CNS contacted a number of local Christian leaders but none of them would speak on the record about the idea of interfaith communication, with some being hostile about the notion and others dismissing it as something that Cayman did not need.
Cayman has a very small Islamic community and most practising Muslims remain very much under the radar. There is no mosque or any other non-Christian place of worship, other than the Jewish temple on Cayman Brac, and most people practising faiths outside of Christianity meet for worship in private homes or sometime hire function rooms. Although the preamble to the Cayman Islands Constitution 2009 describes the country as Christian, the Bill of Rights protects all religions.
Category: Community, Local News
SCUM ?!
I know you have bad apples in the Muslim faith, but all over 1 Billion muslims in the world ??? … smh …
Come on, folks!
There are many muslims I can tell you who are way more righteous than Christians!
*Muslims worship the One Creator God!
Christians worship a man they call Jesus, which constitutes idolatry according to the Jewish 10 Commandments!
*Muslims pray 5 times a day!
When last you see Christians praying 5 times a day!
*Muslim women dress modestly!
Look at our women professing Christianity and that will tell you their faith!
*Muslims would die for their faith!
Christiana here are so lukewarm. That’s a fact! Whilst they love condemning homosexuality, you hear of church members in carnal relations with spouses!
*Muslims have their original Koran, holy book! The Christian’s New Testament has had so many alterations with its letters and text, I can write a book! At least Muslims follow a book that has had no need for revisions!
*A Muslim dedicates one entire month to fasting, it is called Ramadan. When you see Christians fasting in Cayman?! Gluttony is a better word!
*Muslims follow Jesus more closer than Christians! They don’t make Jesus into a god! Jesus is a prophet! When do you see Christians praying to the Father like Jesus – no, they are worshipping a god-man! Jesus didn’t eat pork! Christians eat pork!
I can go on and on …
Despite the western media airing the activities of criminals using the name Islam to push their agendas and oppress women, it gives no one an excuse to condemn all muslims. That is rediculous! :/
You as well have fanatical Christians today. One time in history under Catholic rule, Christian rulers caused the death of over 50 million people. In History its called the Dark Ages! :/
Moreover, this government should have reasonable suspicions to be spying on the 300 muslims here. They are citizens and certain of them are Caymanians! Isn’t that against their rights as well?!
Anyways … I can go on and on … Muslims are way better people than Christians.
FYI .. And I am not a muslim! ?
And clearly you don’t know much about Islam! (And I am an ex Muslim)
I’m glad Mr Khan pointed out that 38,000 Muslims converged in London to march in peaceful solidarity against ISIS. To put that in perspective, London population is 8.788mln, and 12.4% of London are of Muslim faith (per 2011 Census) – that’s 38,000 of 1,089,712 self-identifying adult Muslims (in London area alone), or essentially a 3.4% turn out against the global scourge of ISIS. Better than nothing, I suppose, but not a great turnout. That’s the problem. I’d happily share a cup of tea or break bread with any of these self-thinking 3.4%, but it’s the 96.6% that didn’t show up, or complicitly support, or are sympathetic to some or all of the closed-thinking tenants of DAESH. >30% of BBC polled UK Muslims would prefer to subvert or expel democracy and the rule of English Common Law in favour of stone-age Sharia religious law, or Caliphate doctrine such as DAESH. Living under this doctrine at some point in your life is a religious requirement, after all! The end goal of subverting Western Civilization is not a passive or peaceful ambition. Deadly jihads, ethnic cleansing, inter-family rape/subjugation of girls/women, “justified” financial rip-offs, and sustained terror against those holding differing beliefs or occupying territory they might covet, are not benign attitudes. Add to this, the hair-trigger eagerness to be offended by non-Muslim people living in reality, reading daily about IEDs, terror plots, and spending the last 16 years funding (in some way) the most expensive and longest lasting military campaigns in human history in some attempt to control members of this peaceful faith. There are an estimated 60mln displaced people in MENA thanks to Muslim-borne issues that are not being resolved by so-called “allied” and “rich” members of the same faith! The numbers speak for themselves. So, no. No coffee takers today, thanks all the same!
Ask him his thoughts on Sharia Law, this will reveal his real agenda
These “so-called” Christians that called this man scum are NOT Christian’s at all! 2 Timothy 3:5-7 calls them out for what they really are: 2 Timothy 3:5-7 King James Version (KJV)
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
I am a Christian and the true aim of a true Christian is to lead souls, using every avenue and opportunity your presented with, to the Kingdom of God.
How is it that so many Christians are so very un-Christian like?
While I can imagine my fellow-pastors being unable through their own schedules to engage in conversation with the visiting Imam I doubt if any would be in any way rude to him. I wonder therefore if the story is fair reporting, or whether it is slanted comment, such as is the custom of many press outlets where the Christian faith is involved. I did not receive any request to engage with him. Perhaps this is along the line of “fake news”?
BTW it is my general policy to disregard anonymous postings. Normally if people have useful things to say they will own them.
Thanks for reading me.
Bishop Nicholas Sykes
Bishop Sykes,
With all due respect, your church including the Catholic Church, teaches people to get all attached and fixiated with “bread and wine,” which you all claim is the “body, blood, soul, and divinity” of Jesus who is Gd. So every church service, you make sure folks bow down, consume and worship this “bread.” I could think of no other way of enslaving people to attend a church, but to say Gd is literally in the building!
Hence you break the Jewish 10 Commandments, where Gd clearly states in Exodus 20:4, 5, not to make any “image or likeness” of Him. You make Him into a bread and wine so you claim, and have folk worship and consume for their salvation!
Idolatry 100%
Ignorance 100%. Perhaps you should read the accounts of the last supper.
When I said 100% Idolatry.
I don’t mean to offend all Anglicans and Catholics, as in the final analysis, God knows the intentions of the human heart. Many are in these folds but ignorance or God has them in there for a reason.
Of course, I know the teachings of the Last Supper! Still … Idolatry applies to those who know the omnipresence and universal nature of God, yet choose to resort to seeing or viewing God in a limited way, such as a wafer. For naturally, it would be impossible for a person to experience a glimspe of how huge God is, and then resort to limiting him to just a mere bread and wine…
That I’m afraid is what happens in your church, and it is a grave form of what defines Idolatry.
Peace
Slow news day… My prayer is that everyone of us, including Kerry and Mr. Khan, have a divine encounter with the grace and unrelenting love of the one true God.
Who said that the “Christian” detractors are Caymanian?!! There are many “Christian” denominations and congregations here which have little or no Caymanians as members and certainly none as leaders. Just because certain actions happen in Cayman does not necessarily mean such actions are taken by Caymanians. We have many, many other nationalities here who display unsavory and disgusting attitudes!!
You haven’t been here long, have you?
Wolf in sheep’s clothing.
There is a mosque on Grand Cayman it’s in Cayman Business Park is small but where we a Caymanian Muslims worship
Life as an Atheist is wonderful!
It’s disgusting to hear that someone would have to use vile words to decline an invitation. Sad. Though…discourage we must, from all religious “missionaries”. If you could inoculate your kids from the religion (unfortunately we can’t download “Norton Anti-Religion software”) they truly will have a mind free of the poisonous malware known as religion.
Again, I couldn’t be so rude to a stranger… But fortunately, (“yes fortunately”) I can always count on my christian friends to be.
You are completely free to live your life as an athiest. Why would you express such a nonsense analogy with malware. Religion is not forced on you, you are free to believe in what you want.
I do accept that the religion to malware comparison maybe a bad analogy, in that it, prettifies the real malicious impact of religion on the human CPU (amm…your brain).
I’ll disregard your assumption that religion was not force upon “you” (me). Oh, presumptuous you are… Anyways, maybe you will tell me that Human Genome Project have uncovered the gene that is responsible for the innate behavior of 3 year old children reciting the Lords Prayer.
Quite the contrary. Religion is forced upon us on a daily basis in subtle ways. Please explain the anti-LGBTQ and anti-abortion sentiments on this Island? And how about something as trivial as Sunday trading? The religious element has far too much clout in civic life.
Total rubbish. Religion is a faith based system, the laws of the land maybe based on religious belief, but the belief is yours to choose. If we allowed anything and everything what sort of society do you imagine it to be?
Atheist is an unnecessary term used to label non-religious people into a category, but we don’t have words for people who reject astrology, so why do we have words for people who reject the idea of a wizard in the sky?
What distances people from Islam is the way people like Mr Khan try to promote their religion while failing to acknowledge the fact that in recent years it has become the most dangerous, most destructive force on this planet. I suspect many people (including myself and I’m an athiest) regard any organisation trying to preach a combination of Islam and peace with extreme suspicion.
I’ve lived and worked in two Islamic countries and one of the major problems with the religion is that it’s so repressive. If you break even the simplest of the rules you fall foul of the Fifteen Judgments of Allah, which read like something out of the Dark Ages. Make no mistake about it the majority of Muslims live their lives in fear, not joyous enlightment.
You generalize too much. The religion is not oppressive, but some of the Mosques and countries where they are are oppressive. If you think the Christian churches are any better, you are mad. That’s what they thrive on, controlling your soul…
Sharia Law is no Joke . Surprised to see feminist , gay community , social warrior and others support this religion .
All you said is lie and rubbish I am Muslim nothing from what u said is true it is lies you made …this world not fool any more there’s ways to search and find truth
Amjed = Troll!
Let us go back to our old values.
From Jamaica Observer:
“The output from schools creates society. Students have so many rights these days that you wonder what is wrong. People in the 40, 50, 60 age groups came up in the old school system and have a better sense of what’s right and wrong. Now that that is removed, everyone is doing their thing because they have rights; and then you have these demands being placed on youngsters and the outcomes are unfortunate, as is this case.”
Can some please tell me which Christians call Mr. Imam “sum” and does he believe that God would enlighten this in any religion. We are always an open country until you take away our way of life. I do wish to see Cayman giving in the change again. We are already fighting for our people and now it seems the rights of our own country. God Help us and our children to come.
There are countries that do not allow Muslims entry. They are the ones that are aware of the Muslim intentions to take control of the world.
Youaint Verybright either
I would like to speak to this man to learn more about the “Ahmad “and all the information connected to this title!
How is this news? Zzzzzzzz
So sad for less than worldly (hardly travelled or lived in other country’s Caymanians) like small islander Tibbetts to discount an obviously well qualified man for what Cayman needs at this time on the basis of his faith. Seriously doubt he will be an activist for religion with his job.
Should have given him Status and let him stay. Our cricket team needs all the help it can get.
We don’t need any spin bowlers……
Ah yes, we only needs them persecuted groping Christians here as it’s a cultural thing.
Thank McWeevil for opening up Cayman to further abuse. He never has nor will he speak for or represent me.
no wonder the world is in such a mess!! while I am not happy about having a Governor who is Muslim it is certainly not Christian to call this gentleman, or anyone else ‘scum’. We are all the creation of Almighty God and made in His image.
The UK itself is deemed to be a Christian nation with the Queen as Head of the Church of England and Head of State. It is very unfortunate that the powers that be in the UK have made the choice to send a Muslim to govern what is for the most part a Christian country.
Who is more Christ like, the one holding out a hand of friendship or the one spitting on the hand? Makes me ashamed.
It sad that country lead by women as Kerry she ex criminal spend in jail 10 years …talk don’t hurt no one learn about Islam and true Muslim not going hurt no one …sad people follow and still lessen to such criminal women as Kerry
True Muslim’s condone the stoning and killing of persons for their non belief in the Muslim faith, adultery, homosexuality, women not completely clothed saved for just their eyes etc. Its hard to say true Muslims will not hurt anyone without being clear that they will stand by and condone others administering draconian penalties for their common beliefs.
Thats what they say until women are not allowed to walk in public without a male.
CaymanKind. We are our own type of Christian. We gamble, fornicate, drink, smoke, cuss, steal, cheat, you name it and we’ve done it. But it’s all good as long as we show up to Church on Sunday. Look here, we are a Christian nation, and we don’t need any dirty muslins ’round ya. Got it? Good …and we hate the gays too.
I disagree with folks not being nice to him but how do you know they were only Christians? Seems to be a generalization. I’m non-religious gay male and have many Christian and non-Christian friends but the idea of growing the Muslim religion here together with their beliefs in Sharia law seriously concerns me. It is a well known fact that that under Sharia law they kill gays because of their sexual orientation, women are treated as subhumans and it is legal for them to behead people as a form of punishment. . It is also a known fact that they believe that Sharia Law supersedes the laws of any country that they reside.
My question is why now? What is the purpose of entering a predominantly Christian culture community to try to sway their people to the Muslim faith?
I was happy that our present governor was promoting LGBTQ rights and was hoping based on that the new governor would be gay.
It also scares me that with all that is going on across the world with ISIS which is predominantly Muslim has sleeper cells all over the world. Cayman has been our little safe haven and with over 100 different nationalities here it will be very easy for them to assimilate here. It scares me now that we could be starting something that we may regret in a very short time.
It’s ignorant attitudes like this that make meeting with men such as the Imam so important.
This man is not trying to sway people to his faith, he is not proposing Sharia law, and has nothing to do with ISIS (a terrorist group who are as Muslim as the KKK are Christian).
He is trying to promote understanding our neighbours, trying to dispel misconceptions, and trying to spread love and understanding. This makes him a better man than any of the “Christians” who were so awful to him.
No one cares. That’s the issue. No one wants to know.
Most ppl are liberal, non practicing (fill in the blank your ‘religion) or atheist.
There are Muslims that live in Cayman in peace. Why bring attention to something that isn’t a problem.
Do it at home or some other country where people need to understand the benefits of Islam. How about the very well publicized countries that are in the news that need significant education and talks about Islam tolerance?
How an you substantiate this? Did you drink his coffee?
Listen, there are many, particularly young impressionable men and women throughout the world and more recently in the UK and US that have sat down for the “coffee” and were brainwashed into this religion and ended up in places like Syria beheading and killing people indiscriminately under the false pretense that Sharia Law protects them..
You can drink his coffee but as for me and my family, we will brew our own..Thank you!
It’s about Time Cayman wake up and smell the roses. Why is it just a local activist and small amoiunt of christians protesting the new governor’ faith , what about the government , opposition , people of the Cayman Islands ?
Because when England says ‘Jump’ , Alden has to say ” How high , your Majesty ” ..
problems is we font know who genuine or who is extremists? once enshrined…who knows….?
It’s not that hard to figure it out. For example by having a simple conversation.
Poor guy things is all Abrahamic religions are nearly the same as each other why does this small group of islands need to be so hostile… a real shame and I hope the gentleman doesn’t assume everyone here is twisted and plain rude.
Correction: there is a non-Christian place of worship on Cayman Brac; a lovely temple.
If these people want to be apart of any society they need to assimilate. Quit telling your wife how to dress, think, act. Women are treated like lower class citizens.
or like your “Sacred vessel”?
If only people was as passionate about the social and intellectual advancement of our society as they are about their imaginary friends in the sky.
Mr. Eden, another threat ?
Or maybe a partner in the war against gays ? They kill them you know ?
By the way, the governor should be a non- religious person in order to be objective.
Anybody that knows a bit of the world’s history, knows that any form of superstition is a threat to humanity.
Treat your fellow human as you would like to be treated, and the world would be a better place.
I’m a Christian and I dislike the way other so called christians have treated this gentleman.
Love is what conquers all things and showing discord and disdain is terrible. It will not solve the divide.
Shame on you that treated him so poorly
CNS you are trying to make a story here. Mr Khan is speaking to the choir that’s why my brothers and sisters didn’t come out to meet him.
Secondly no one can take a convicted criminal seriously.
Thirdly as my many Muslim friends will tell you there is a mosque in Cayman. And lastly it would be remiss of me not to say that they should stay off the Appleton VX which, I suspect coming full circle, is probably the main reason for the Iman’s visit.
Kerry, how do you KNOW that our previous governors were Christian? Just because persons may visit a christian church on occasional does not make that person a christian. Just ask Mac. For all you know some past governor could have been a total non-believer but attended the occasional service because it was expected with the job. Get off your high horse and do something that really benefits our community. LIke push your persons to get as much education as they can take. How about focus on young ladies to see if you can get some to believe that “bad” boys do not make good father material. And so on. Who are you to say which “heavenly” being is best to believed in?
It is quite telling that none of the “christian” leaders would talk with this man.
KT needs to shut the hell up, she thinks she speaks for all Caymanians, she doesn’t, she is the most hateful, racist person her FB page in part of the problem hating expats on this island.
To me she’s an ex criminal, and that is it!
Regarding this person coming to Cayman, not all Muslims are ISIS members, and being a loving Christian Isla d we should except everyones faith.
8:4 pm,, yes not all muslims are isis, but ALL ISIS ARE MUSLIMS. If the western world did not except muslims from day one, ISIS would not have such a foot hold now and we all would be a lot better off.
Cayman kind or another cultural misunderstanding…..??????
Kerry Tibbetts doesn’t speak for me.
Does this come as a surprise to anyone? The only proof of the koran is Muhammad and the only proof of Muhammad is the koran a circular reference. Muhammad thought it good to brag about marrying a young girl and the sex he had with her, a pedophile. A large percentage of his followers believe infidels should be beheaded and this is still practiced today. Islam is not compatible with Western standards and culture. I have engaged several Imams over the last 20 years and not one has convinced me of anything less when cornered with difficult questions they resort to inshallah or other such foolish answers. Many muslim countries forbid you even to question Islam.
While Muhammad PBUH married Aisha at a young age he didn’t sleep with her till she was mature enough buy a Quran and read for yourself
I did and Bukhari too
Don’t make excuses. Muhamad was anything but peaceful, the first terrorist and a pedophile.
Ah, Caymankind, good loving Christian souls, sharing the gospel of love thy fellow man..you do understand this is precisely how terrorists get started? When no one will talk to them or listen to them, and abuse them? Shame on you Cayman, shame.
I wish sharia law on you.
My point exactly
London ain’t doing so well with a Muslim mayor. Just sayin’.
Actually its doing really well, and he has the respect not just of all but a few Londoners, but also the world. So stop just sayin and start just thinking and finding out your facts.
Does he now? Please may I see your evidence to this? This Londoner thinks differently..
New Jersey ain’t doing to well with a christian governer, just sayin’
When will people realize that the best religion is no religion? They are more trouble than they are worth. Just have morals and be a decent human being.
Kerry Tibbetts , I agree that there should be some concerns about the new Governor and Mr Khan visit . But we should be careful and learn more of what is happening in some of those Mosques around the world , I don’t know if the Cayman islands are ready for another Religion to be established in the Islands .
I agree that the new Governor resume and past life should be very carefully scrutinized .
That’s right Sharkey, because you are just so qualified to judge, right? He would not be in the Civil service or sent here as governor if he had any kind of history or issues…just get the built in prejudice out of your head.
Hi Kerry/Sharkey
Personally, I will consult with Google if I wish to learn more about Islam or any other topic for that matter.
Don’t take this personally, nor am I a professing and defending super-Christian, but it is my opinion that one of the greatest problems facing the world right now is the stubborn refusal of groups / countries / faiths / religions / ideologies, etc to stay da’ rass out of other people’s affairs.
(That applies to all sides and in all directions.)
In this instance, a “country’s religion” isn’t shit but the leftover fallout of its footprint of wars, genocide, politics, trade, establishment marriage / union, enslavement, colonisation, power plays, corruption … and a host of other fallible, earthly motivators.
Unfortunately 99% of faithful people fail to realise and sincerely believe they are what they are by some type of divine intervention.
“Do onto others as you would have them do onto you.”
End of story. No coffee required.
Hmmmmm.
Why would I want to engage in interfaith communication? Its hard enough to get up for church. I’m sorry if anyone was rude, but I don’t see why he thinks people ought to come chat with him. Frankly, there are a lot more issues with Islam than terrorism and support of terrorism–women’s rights come to mind.
He didn’t demand anyone come to him you, fool. It was an open invitation, and maybe if you weren’t so closed minded you could have discussed those other issues you are referring to.
If u search good about women rights in Islam you find Islam the most religion give women rights for further discussion u can tix me 9393007 my what’s up I not here to convert people I here asking for chat about the subject I am the Jordanian
And how do you explain muhammad bragging about sex with a child, slaughtering Jews, making it ok for muslims to take ‘temporary’ wives when away for long periods. The list goes on, this is not a religion of peace. I can state Muhammad was a pedophile in my country, but how many muslim countries am I free to state that without bring killed?
Not all religions are the same. Some are an even bigger crock than others……
caymanians….the worst thing about cayman.
This is a racist statment.
You need to Google what ‘racist’ means. That is not a racist statement. You may not like it and it may not be nice, but it is not racist.
Dingbat.
Caymanian isn’t a race, it’s a nationality. That would make his/her comments bigoted not racist.
Then why are you here? Caymanians are the best thing for Cayman …This is our country. We have nowhere else to go. You came here and found us here.We have every right to take a stand whether right or wrong..
I chose not to drink the coffee…but it does seem like you had a few extra cups..
SMH.
I see no Christian love or charity displayed by Caymanians in this story. One can only wonder what Jesus would have done in such a situation?