AN open day was held at mosques across Scotland yesterday as an “antidote to the poisonous atmosphere” regarding Islam.
Just days after a gunman shot six worshippers dead at a mosque in Quebec, Canada, Scottish mosques opened their doors to welcome non-Muslims and spread understanding about the religion.
Tensions have not been quelled by Donald Trump’s ban on Syrian refugees and people from seven Muslim majority nations entering the US.
Yesterday, Scotland’s mosques joined a total of 150 mosques across the UK for the third annual Visit My Mosque Day.
It was a day for the British public, Muslim and non-Muslim, “to come together and renew bonds of friendship,” according to Harun Khan, secretary general of the Muslim Council of Britain.
“Visit My Mosque Day is our chance to welcome fellow Britons to our diverse community. In previous years we were moved by how the great British public has taken part in the day, some travelling dozens of miles to find their local mosques, and the level of enthusiasm in the number of mosques who have invited their neighbours to share in the experience has increased each year,” he said.
Cumbernauld Mosque was among those taking part with Police Scotland included in the organisations present at the event.
Last year hundreds left comments on social media and at #VisitMyMosque. Isla Jack said: “Such an interesting visit to Edinburgh Central Mosque – thanks to all for such a warm welcome.”
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