On Saturday, 28th of November 2015, the local mosque of Kaunas opened its’ doors for everyone in order to present the Islamic religion. Normally the mosque is open for everyone to see, even the school excursions are organised there, but it was the first time that they organised an open-doors event to present Islam.
On that day, presentations and open discussions were held. Turkish, Syrian, Lithuanian Tatar dishes were served for free. Moreover woman could try “henna” (a kind of tatoo) and scarves, also non-arab speakers had a chance to see their names written not only in arabic alphabet but in arabic calligraphy as well.
On that day, presentations and open discussions were held. Turkish, Syrian, Lithuanian Tatar dishes were served for free. Moreover woman could try “henna” (a kind of tatoo) and scarves, also non-arab speakers had a chance to see their names written not only in arabic alphabet but in arabic calligraphy as well.
Pictures taken from kaunas.diena.lt
In highscool I was personally schocked to know that Islam exists in Lithuania, Poland and Belarus since at least the 14th century. What is more, the former Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Kingdom of Poland and later the Žespospolita, were the only place in Christian Europe, where a muslim, a jew, a catholic, a protestant, and an orthodox could live together in harmony and peace without any state religious persecution.
Pictures taken from kaunas.diena.lt
About present-day, Lithuanians generally don’t associate Islam with terrorism, however due to lack of knowledge and possibly other external factors, they associate some non-religious cultural practices and stereotypes with Islamic Religion. What I as a muslim would like to advice Lithuanians and Non-Muslims in general, would be to distinguish three completely different things:
1. In Islam as it is in Koran the message of God to humanity is a message of mercy, love, tolerance, and justice for all the humans, but sadly most of the muslims have ignored this message and followed the later two.
2. Unfortunatly in many Arab countries some traditions are associated with Islam, however they have no basis with the religion, like for exemple women oppression.
3. Wahabbism or Salafism, this religious fundamentalism doctrines created in 18th century by a certain Ibn Abdel Wahab who forged an alliance with the current royal family of Saudi Arabia. His message teach only hate, and it’s the official ideology in Saudi Arabia, and unfortunatly due to the position of this country, non-Muslims think that it is Islam itself. What is more, Wahabbis hate anyone who disagree with them.
1. In Islam as it is in Koran the message of God to humanity is a message of mercy, love, tolerance, and justice for all the humans, but sadly most of the muslims have ignored this message and followed the later two.
2. Unfortunatly in many Arab countries some traditions are associated with Islam, however they have no basis with the religion, like for exemple women oppression.
3. Wahabbism or Salafism, this religious fundamentalism doctrines created in 18th century by a certain Ibn Abdel Wahab who forged an alliance with the current royal family of Saudi Arabia. His message teach only hate, and it’s the official ideology in Saudi Arabia, and unfortunatly due to the position of this country, non-Muslims think that it is Islam itself. What is more, Wahabbis hate anyone who disagree with them.
Fortunatly globally, many Islamic religious leaders shows the true message of Islam to non-muslims, and I hope that the Mosque of Kaunas will have more open days like previous, which was really nice.
Written by Mohamed Zakaria Belmehdi
Written by Mohamed Zakaria Belmehdi