Muslims go on cross-country tour to thank Canadians, dispel myths

A group ofMuslims are on a cross-Canadatour of more than 25 cities to debunk misconceptions about their religion.

The roving band of faithful, part of theAhmadiyya branch ofIslam,are in MontrealJuly 24 and 25 with their campaign called #MobileMuslims.

"What we're trying to teach people is that Islam is completely removed from violence and terror," spokespersonJames Sinclair told CBC News.

"People who do acts of violence or any type of terrorism or extremism are completely removed from the faith."

Some of the misconceptions they say they want to address involve the veil, jihad and the Prophet Muhammad.

• The weight of the veil: One Muslim Montrealer's perspective

"The best thing for a person whowants to learn about hijab is toask the women who are actually wearing the hijab,"said imam Ferhad Ghaffar, who is part of the caravan.

Ghaffar added that violent events in the Middle East don't represent Islam.

"We want to educatepeople about the true jihad. The jihad is not aphysical war,"Ghaffar said.

The tour started inSt.John's, N.L. on July 13 and will end in Vancouver, B.C.

Sunday the exhibition stopped in Montreal for two days.

In addition to addressing misconceptions, the tour was createdtothank Canada for the freedom it's given the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to practice freely since it camehere 50 years ago.

• When Muhammad Ali preached Islam in a remote Quebec mining town