Muslims Plan 'Receive a Holy Bible Day' at Mosques Across UK

Ahmadiyya Muslims Organise Events to Exchange Holy Scriptures With all Faiths

LONDON, September 10, 2010 - Mosques across the UK will today (Friday) host multi-faith receptions
with Holy Scriptures from all faiths being presented to the mosques in
exchange for the Holy Quran.

The initiative is spearheaded by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community whose
ethos is Love for All, Hatred for None.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK welcomes the news that the `Burn a
Quran Day', tomorrow Saturday 11 September, appears to have at least been
postponed, but is equally saddened that the this decision has been linked to
the plans for a mosque at ground zero.

The Holy Quran is a sacred scripture and its burning would have offended
billions of people worldwide.

By holding an `exchange the scriptures day' the Ahmadiyya Muslim
community will be bringing people of different faiths together in our mosques
to send a clear message to extremists of any description - we all stand
united as children of God against perpetrators of hate.

In London, at the Baitul Futuh Mosque, Britain's biggest mosque, 7,000
Muslims will be joined by other faith groups to promote interfaith
understanding and respect.

Mr Rafiq Hayat, National President Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK said:

"We are pleased that the plans to burn the Holy Quran appear to have been
postponed, but are disappointed that they are not cancelled. Also, the way
this threat has been used to force a change of plans for the ground zero
mosque is a sad and disconcerting outcome for not just Muslims but for people
of all faiths, as it has shown that in essence, extremism has won the day.

"If today plans for a mosque - which is a house of God - can be changed
by such extremist threats then does this not set a worrying precedent for
other places of worship in the future? We are of course relieved that the
Quran, the Word of God has not been burnt, but one should never have to make
a choice between defending the word of God and the House of God."

Press Enquiries: Basharat Nazir, +44(0)7703-483-384, Email
media@ahmadiyya.org.uk

Press Enquiries: Basharat Nazir, +44(0)7703-483-384, Email
media at ahmadiyya.org.uk