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Coffee and Islam offers chance to ask questions, clear up misconceptions

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – If you’ve ever had questions about Islam, now’s your chance to learn from those who practice it first-hand.

A national campaign aims to connect non-Muslims with those who practice Islam, to ask questions, get to know the religion and clear up misconceptions.

It’s called Coffee and Islam, and runs until the end of the month.

Imam Tariq Azeem says there have been a lot of misconceptions around Islam lately, and the goal is to give fellow Canadians an opportunity to really understand the religion’s teachings.

“A lot of times we have fears and these fears are mostly based on the unknown, when we don’t understand something. We want to create an environment where we know about each other, where we can learn about each other and then be comfortable with one another.”

He says it’s only when we have enough information that we can beat these fears, which he believes have a negative impact on “peaceful” societies.

By signing up, you’re matched with someone from the Muslim faith who will then meet you at any time for a cup of coffee and a chat.

“They can come out, learn, sit down with a Muslim and when they sit down they will realize we’re not much different from one another, we’re very similar.”

Azeem says his aim is to really teach people what Islam is really about.

“And how true Islam differs from what sometimes we hear in the media or what sometimes the extremists are doing around the globe.”

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