Mosque opens doors to Cayman

| 27/05/2019
CNS Local Life
Imam Mahmood Koli speaking at the open day

(CNS Local Life): An open day at Cayman’s only mosque offered the wider community a chance to learn about Islam and observe the prayers and customs of practising Muslims here in efforts to “build bridges” and dispel common misconceptions about the religion that 1.8 billion people follow globally.

About 100 people filled the mosque, which is housed in premises at Cayman Business Centre on Huldah Avenue, comprising visitors, the 40 or so Muslims who regularly come to prayers and other adherents who live in Cayman but may not attend all the time.

Imam Mahmood Koli, who lives in Peterborough, UK, and came down for Ramadan, has been leading daily prayers for the monthlong observance, which ends 4 June. At the open house, the imam, who is marking his sixth visit to Cayman, spoke to those gathered about Islam as well as his thoughts on why it is important to engage the community and educate people on his religion.

He touched on the teachings of Islam and some of its basic tenets, which are shared among the world’s monotheist religions, such as “love thy neighbour as yourself”. Pointing to the importance of welcoming others to the mosque, he said, “You can’t love each other if you don’t know each other,” adding that to be a good Muslim you have to believe in the Bible, not just the Quran.

CNS Local Life
Imam Mahmood holds the Quran (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

The imam spoke about the lessons and philosophy behind Ramadan, which involves a month of daily 14-hour fasts, in which no food or drink is taken. “For me, the biggest lesson is empathy, which leads to gratitude and gratefulness,” he said. The idea is for those fasting to understand what it feels like for someone to be hungry, thirsty and needy.

Noting the misconceptions that arise about Islam due to global acts of terrorism, he said, “Fanatical elements have nothing to do with Islam,” adding “By visiting here today you prove we are not going to let bigotry and a negative narrative divide us.”

One visitor who heard that message was RCIPS Det. Thona Gillings, who attended at the invitation of a Muslim friend. “With all that is going on in society, especially with bombings, it is important to show that Muslims are not racist and are not against anything,” she said. “People can have a better understanding of their religion. Awareness is key and this event promotes awareness.”

Muzaffar Soomro, who has lived in Cayman for more than 35 years, is the president of the Islamic Society of the Cayman Islands (ISCI), which organised the first formal open day ever held at the mosque. He called the event “fantastic” while noting he would have liked to have seen more people of other religions represented and adding he wants to hold other similar events. The mosque was opened about eight years ago and ISCI established in the 1990’s, though Muslims can be traced back to the 1970’s in Cayman.

CNS Local Life
Imam Mahmood and Muzaffar Soomro (CLICK TO ENLARGE)

Both men agreed that there should be more opportunities for people of different faiths to meet. In Peterborough, the imam said he is part of an interfaith council and there are monthly roundtables with Christians and Muslims, adding that it was common for the members of the two religions to visit each other in their places of worship. He would like to see a similar council established in Cayman.

They also pointed to the importance of education through events like the open day. “For most people, this was their first visit to a mosque, so they were apprehensive,” Imam Mahmood said. “However, they left with a new understanding of our faith. They saw it was about love, happiness and sharing.”

He also noted the many different countries represented by Muslims living here, including Afghanistan, Indonesia, India, Pakistan, South Africa, Mauritius and Guyana, as well as Cayman. “They have different cultures, language and dress but…we all want a peaceful Cayman Islands. We are fortunate to live in harmony and peace and we want you to experience Muslims contributing to that harmony and peace,” he told the visitors to the open day.

“We are a small community here but the hearts of the Muslims are large. We try to live Islam the Caymanian way by supporting and giving back to the community.”

After the imam’s lecture and prayers, visitors were invited to take part in the buffet put on to break the day’s fast.

Soomro added that on the holiday of Eid al-Fitr on 5 June, which marks the end of Ramadan, he and the imam are hoping to continue their engagement with the community by organising visits to the Cayman Islands Hospital and The Pines Retirement Home. “Loneliness is a huge problem. The day of Eid is a day of family, of sharing, of joy and happiness, and of sparing a thought for others,” he said.

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Category: Religion

Comments (70)

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  1. Anonymous says:

    The following website is very informative – not sharing this to stir up hatred, just to provide a counter-view.

    https://www.thereligionofpeace.com/

  2. Anonymous says:

    How was this even allowed?

  3. Anonymous says:

    All you have to do is look at the majority Muslim countries and the majority Christian countries and ask yourself which would you rather live in. None of the Muslim countries is at peace or peaceful. The moderation of this particular cleric is irrelevant in that context.

    • Anonymous says:

      In an America without the KKK and Uganda without the LRA.

      KKK and LRA are Christian fanatical terrorist groups.

      • Anonymous says:

        No they are not. Stop spewing foolishness. The KKK is not a Christian group, it is a group of racists who use various arguments to support their position. Those arguments are most often taken out of context and not representative of the views of Christianity. This type of ignorant thinking on the part of commenters only adds to the problems. The KKK doesnt practice Christianity. Calling yourself something doesnt make you that thing. You will not see the KKK endorsed by any Church, or any Christian organisation. Educate yourself on the difference between a bonafide organisation recognised for X rather than fanatical terrorists that claim that what they are doing is endorsed by X. The Christian Church in no way endorses the KKK. The Church is no more responsible for the actions of some people who go against the Bible than your parents are responsible for paying your light bill.

  4. Anonymous says:

    So a small mosque would be a “mosquito”?

  5. Anonymous says:

    We need an Atheist movement!!

    • Anonymous says:

      We welcome all religions and no religions to contribute to the diversity of our community but with mutual coexistence and respect for each other. This does not and should not mean we can’t disagree with each other’s beliefs because that is against freedom of religion and speech. But the disagreement should be with respect.

      • Anonymous says:

        When the devious ambition of another religion is to subvert by deception, then I would say that one day, you may regret your position on the apparently higher moral ground.
        Time will tell and one day, all truth will be known.
        There are only two religions in the world. The right one and the wrong one.
        It was explained very succinctly in the saga of Cain and Abel.
        Abel, a good and decent man, brought the blood of the lamb to God and was accepted because one day God’s very own Son would be that lamb.
        Cain like the wicked man he was basically said, “Screw God. I bring what I want and if He doesn’t like it, tough!”
        In his wicked anger, he killed his brother. Those of you who have rejected the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, have the same spirit as Cain.
        Are you bringing a sacrifice to God that is worthless?
        I came to God through His precious Lamb and my soul was cleansed. I wish nothing but the best to my fellow human beings.

    • Anonymous says:

      An atheist says there is no God and therefore there should be no religion. Therefore they should be the least interested people in this whole conversation. A group of Atheists getting together to celebrate their shared view of God and religion …. is actually a religion.

  6. Say it like it is says:

    Mike, you have obviously stirred up a hornets nest. 11.00am has put it succinctly, maybe you should have another open house and advertise the free buffet. As Government well knows this is the only way to get Caymanians to attend meetings.

    • Al Catraz says:

      “advertise the free buffet”

      There was food?

      Please, advertise the next event in advance. Thank you.

  7. Anonymous says:

    I call on all Muslims to ask yourself why it is that Islam by far produces the highest number of extremists? It is no coincidence.

    • Anonymous says:

      You need to change the channel. There are far right extremists of every faith/ideology, including Christians and Buddhists, and in some cases, their accompanying enforcers and politburos. We have a particularly hypocritical one here, if you haven’t noticed. Meanwhile, President Xi has interned/disappeared millions in China, and nobody bats an eye.

    • Fighting Hatred ONE Comment at a Time says:

      70% of the extremist killings in the past 10 years were committed by white supremacists

      This is nothing more than a myth. Islam by far does not produce the highest number of extremists as you unjustly assert.

      All acts of terrorism are an abomination but not all terrorism is treated equally. There are many studies that prove the disproportionate bias against Islam and Muslims in the media.

      The Anti-Defamation League reports that in the United States, “right-wing extremists collectively have been responsible for more than 70 percent of the 427 extremist-related killings over the past 10 years, far outnumbering those committed by left-wing extremists or domestic Islamist extremists.”

      For further reading see https://www.adl.org/news/op-ed/right-wing-extremist-violence-is-our-biggest-threat-the-numbers-dont-lie

      • Anonymous says:

        427 in 10 yrs in US. Care to comment about the thousands in Nigeria, Egypt, Yemen, Somalia, Philippines, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Syria, Libya, Tunisia, Iraq, and Sudan?

    • Anonymous says:

      5:46 am, you are right, they are the biggest support of terrorist and problems in the world , we don’t need more problems and crime in Cayman.

      • Anonymous says:

        You have that wrong.

        The Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) documented 2,400 terrorist attacks in the United States from 1970 to 2012. Of these, approximately 60 were carried out by Muslims.  In other words, approximately 2.5% of all terrorist attacks on US soil between 1970 and 2012 were carried out by Muslims.  This is a tiny proportion of all attacks.

  8. Do Unto Others just be nice says:

    To all religions and belief systems in a greater creator/father/Allah Idsay

    Religious mysticism is intellectual garbage. It’s a vestige of the old superstitious Dark Ages when nobody knew anything and the whole world was sinking deeper and deeper into filth and disease and poverty and ignorance. It is one of those delusions that isn’t called insane only because there are so many people involved.

    —Robert M. Pirsig, Lila: An Inquiry Into Morals, 1991.

  9. Anonymous says:

    I got a little curious, so I looked up the muslim cleric.
    If you think he has come here with a peaceful message of cooperation and coexistence, I suggest you listen to the words that come from his own mouth and make up your own minds.
    https://youtu.be/rIMgn4R0MUQ?t=1473

  10. Anonymous says:

    Deception, Lying
    and Taqiyya
    Does Islam permit Muslims to lie?

    Muslim scholars teach that Muslims should generally be truthful to each other, unless the purpose of lying is to “smooth over differences” or “gain the upper-hand over an enemy”
    There are several forms of lying to non-believers that are permitted under certain circumstances, the best known being taqiyya (the Shia name). These circumstances are typically those that advance the cause of Islam – in some cases by gaining the trust of non-believers in order to draw out their vulnerability and defeat them.

    This is just the beginning. Stand firm in the Lord.
    Any religion that teaches that it is ok to lie to gain the upper hand is of the questionable origin.
    Jesus said, “By their fruits ye shall know them….”

    Remain in ignorance at your peril, Cayman.

  11. Anonymous says:

    Anthony eden ? Please help us. First the gaus and now the moslims.
    Although, dont they both want death to the gay people.
    So basically there is no difference. D
    Both hate people they dont understand.

    • Anonymous says:

      Wait. The death penalty is prescribed in the Holy Bible for male-male sexual intercourse (Leviticus 18:22), as commented by someone in a previous post.

  12. Anonymous says:

    It took me a while to read all the comments before I could even contribute to these comments.

    1 – One thing I know for sure is that Muslims are peace loving people
    2 – Haters are everywhere in each religion who can’t accept peace among other human beings
    3 – Eventually It’s your moral values, how you treat others. Being a muslim or christian will serve you no good if you can’t be batter men/women.

    • Anonymous says:

      5:00 pm, Ben Laden was peace loving man too eh

      CNS: You missed the point of 2. The growing threat of acts of terrorism by white nationalists is now greater than by Muslim extremists. Here’s a really good article on the matter. The point the commenter was making is that you cannot judge billions of people by the actions of a very few.

      • Anonymous says:

        Very few?? You are being wilfully ignorant.

        • Anonymous says:

          Muslims are about 1.8 Billion. The number of misguided “Muslims” who carry out these violent attacks in clear violation of their religion’s teachings dont even make up 1% (0.008 % to be exact). That is way less than a few!

          According to https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_8950332?ir=Australia&guccounter=1 there are less than 150,000 terrorists who belong to organizations such as ISIS, al-Qaeda, al-Shahbab and Boko Haram.

  13. Mehmane says:

    “Ignorance leads to fear, fear leads to hate, and hate leads to violence. This is the Equation” (Averroes).

    We welcome all people to our beautiful islands. There are misconceptions about all faiths and peoples. Instead of regurgitating, kindly educate yourselves. This fear and hatred is not healthy for us as a community nor as individuals.

    God bless Cayman!

  14. Anonymous says:

    Just what we need: More irrational belief! Why just the other day I was driving by a hundred churches and medical quackery clinics on Grand Cayman and all I could think was that it’s just not enough. We desperately need more baseless beliefs to further distance our population from reality. I can’t wait for the Scientologists to set up shop. We need them too. And psychics. We are woefully short of psychics!

  15. Anonymous says:

    Genuine questions here: What part of Islam includes Sharia Law? Do all Muslins follow this law? Or only part of it? I always thought Sharia Law went hand in hand with the Quran?

    Thank you

    • Anonymous says:

      “Shariah Law” is often described as barbaric due to its association with stoning, lashing, and hand-chopping. What is “Shariah”?

      “Shariah” is the Muslim way of life. There is no book of Shariah. However, the primary sources of Shariah are the Qur’an and Sunnah (Muhammad’s teachings). These sources include Shariah and more, like sacred history, for example. The Shariah consists of a wide spectrum of teachings ranging from ethics to law. Law includes rulings of purification, prayer, fasting, charity, pilgrimage, marriage, divorce, inheritance, contracts, business transactions, lost and found, property, dietary requirements, liability, injuries, penal code and so on.

      The penal code (Hudud in Arabic) amounts to less than 2% of Shariah for specific crimes (very specific kind of theft and robbery, treason, adultery/fornication, accusing someone of fornication, consuming intoxicants, homicide, etc.). The punishments for such crimes ranged from lashing and hand-amputation to stoning (in relation to standard pre-modern punishment practices). Due to the evidentiary standards being impossibly high and the principle “ward of the Hudud punishment with any ambiguity”, these punishments were very rarely implemented. As an example, there are over sixty conditions to be met for a crime to be considered theft and its punishment hand-amputation. If any one condition is not met the punishment does not apply. In the roughly five hundred years that the Ottomans ruled Constantinople, records show that only one instance of stoning for adultery took place (contrast this with colonial America, where over fifty people were executed for various sexual crimes between 1608 and 1785). Of course, this does not mean all criminals go unpunished. It only means the more strict Hudud punishment will not apply but justice will be served according to the judge’s discretion (ta’zir) and this discretionary punishment must not be equivalent to the Hudud punishment. This begs the question, why have laws that can’t be implemented? In a society with few or no police at all, frightening punishments were seen as the only way to deter potential criminals. For example, in 1820 there were over two hundred crimes punishable by death in Britain, including stealing firewood and poaching fish from another’s fishpond. The Hudud punishments have been at times suspended entirely by the authority when necessary to avoid unfair prosecution of theft, for example, at times of famine. It is important to note however, the Hudud generally only applied to Muslims.

      Muslims living in the West avoid crimes punishable by the Hudud code in their private lives but do not apply the punishment nor call for Hudud application as they follow the law of the land they reside in, which deals with crimes according to its constitution.

      The Bible (both Old Testament and New Testament) has its own version of “Hudud” penal code where death penalty or other harsh punishments are prescribed for certain activities like male-male sexual intercourse (Leviticus 18:22), death penalty for “striking/attacking” one’s father or mother (Exodus 21:15), “stubborn and rebellious son” is to be stoned to death in public (Deuteronomy 21:18-21), women who refuse to cover their head should have it shaved (1 Corinthians 11:6), death for “he who speaks evil of father or mother” (Matthew 15:4), etc.

      Every country has a penal code in order to maintain peace, safety, stability, law and order in the land. The aim of the Hudud is the same. Shariah is not only Hudud punishments but more. Teachings like “none of you is a perfect believer until they wish for others what they wish for themselves”, “smiling is charity”, “removing a harmful object from the public road is charity”, “planting a tree is charity”, “paradise is under the feet of the mother”, “there is no compulsion in religion”, “for you is your religion and for me is mine”, “the best of you is the one who is most kind to their partner and family”, “the best of you is the one who is most helpful to people”, “the most noble amongst you are the ones who are best in behavior”, “you are not a believer if you go to bed with a full stomach and your neighbor is hungry”, “forgive and be patient rather than exacting revenge for forgiveness is best”, “those who waste are the brethren of the devil”, “do not lie, steal, deceive, cheat, kill, harm, hate, spread rumors, backbite, oppress, envy each other”, “one who does not show mercy to our seniors and respect our juniors is not from amongst us”, “show mercy to those on earth and He in Heaven will show mercy to you”, “God helps you for as long as you help others” etc. are all also part (actually the bulk) of Shariah.

      In summary, following and practicing Islam is following Shariah. In the strict sense of the word, following any religion or ascribing to any idea is following that religion’s “Shariah”.

  16. Anonymous says:

    Amazing event, thank you ISCI

    Love Unites and Hate Divides

  17. Anonymous says:

    Because what’s happening in the UK and large parts of Europe (Germany, France, Sweden and others) with Muslim migration are all misconceptions of course.

    Perfect harmony and assimilation into the European cultures and western values right?

    • Anonymous says:

      What you fail to understand is that Islam is fundamentally incompatible with Western culture. It is against all principles of the free West. It is a religion of control and fear to retain its following. It does not believe in free will. It teaches we must be robotic and face a stone block 5 times a day. Forgiveness is only earned through good works, matyrdom, being the ultimate act of good works and resulting in seven virgins. The only proof for Muhammad is the Qu’ran and the only proof of the Qu’ran is Muhammad, a circular reference at best.

      • Anonymous says:

        You’re correct. And fundamentalist Christianity is incompatible with modern Western culture too.

        #plankinyoureye

        • Anonymous says:

          Stupid comment, there is no reference to Christianity, don’t introduce arguments that are not present. The word used was CULTURE!

      • Sensible says:

        Thank you for your comments but as a Muslim living in the U.K. I have never had to compromise my faith. I have professional qualifications, like my father and my children. We have never had cause to contact any law but the British Legal System.
        The only times I hear of Sharia Law is in cases of divorce.
        As a member of the management committee of our local mosque, we have ensured that multiple marriages and such do not happen here. Not because Islam doesn’t allow such marriages, but like everything else, we look at such things in context. There is no apparent threat to the Muslims which would need more marriages for more children so it just doesn’t need to happen.
        However, this does not stop this subject being used to divide communities.

        Another frequently used one is the stoning to death of adulterers.
        This can ONLY happen with witnesses to the act.

        The subject of the scarf – the hypocrisy of this matter still amazes me.
        On the one hand there are images of the Virgin Mary, worldwide, with a head covering which nobody finds offensive. Although a Muslim woman is somehow a rebel or terrorist for wearing a head covering.
        I was discussing this matter with a sister wearing a face veil, incidentally who is also a Barrister. Her reply to a comment by someone who was making their objection known was that when the cavemen walked the earth they were either naked or only covered their private parts. As people became more and more ‘civilised’ they started to wear more and more clothes.
        So by that token, I’m just more civilised than you are.

        On this note, many people do note even know that the veil is only for use in front of men, there is no restriction for women looking at women.

        On the subject of Mohammed, (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him), Why have so many people referred to Him as perfect, a genius, why are His manners more famous than His battles?
        If an illiterate man can write a book that has no equal on this planet, linguistically as well as mathematically.
        The things mentioned in the Holy Qura’n talks about things which could never have been known 1400 years ago. Why are these coming to light even today.

        The magnificent achievements made by Muslims, in Arts, Language, Science, Astronomy amongst others, why do these get overlooked?

        Just because the Western world chose to kill and enslave the rest of the world for its own purposes, taking all the wealth, resources, and now say that “Oh the rules have changed now!”
        That wasn’t me, those people are gone now – but no apologies or return of wealth.

        When I gained a very high position in employment, I remover my father telling me to remember that when we go to the wash room, we are all the same, not one is better or worse than the other.

        Personally, I wish they would discover aliens pretty soon, at least the world would have someone else to hate!

        Finally, after the Muslims are gone, whose next?

        • Anonymous says:

          So comforting to know that stoning to death of adulterers can only happen with witnesses, that makes it so much more civilised! You write a lot of words but make no point.

          Muhammad was a genius? I think not, a pedophile maybe. He was famous as a warrior that’s all. The Qu’ran is just pure nonsense and there is so much evidence that it was written way after Muhammad.

          You have ‘ensured’ multiple marriages don’t happen there but that doesn’t mean it is not allowed.

          Enjoy your belief!

          • Sensible says:

            Thank you for such enlightening comments, I’m sure the references for these will be pretty solid.

            Back in the real world however, the hand picked criticism you have commented on demonstrate your lack of knowledge and an even greater lack of understanding.

            People hide all their valuables too, should they display them openly so that others mug them?

            Also, the subject of crime, everyone I speak with, talk about how unrepresentative the punishments are when it comes to criminals.
            If there is enough credible evidence, some types of punishments would not only serve as a deterrent, it would give a lot more satisfaction to the victims of crime too.

            What can civilisation expect from those who when they get faeces on their hands they would wash it, but after using the wash room they just wipe and go.
            Yet that’s not filthy is it?

            I’m very sorry but I’m not going to reciprocate by picking holes in any religious text, Bible or otherwise, because I have respect for these.
            When they were revealed their religious significance was immense.
            Who am I to judge a whole religion based on little snippets of right wing propaganda?

            But it is funny how when a non Muslim carries out a crime, their religion, or lack thereof, is not on trial.

            I am not standing up for those who are not following the laws of their religion.
            To kill a single human would be as if they killed mankind.

            If one takes the time to read about the life of Mohammed, (Peace and Blessings be Upon Him), you will discover that Islam was spread not by the sword, rather it was spread by acting on the religion, demonstrating the peace felt amongst the followers. People could see the peace and wanted to feel it.

            For your information, Our Beloved Mohammed, (PBUH), did not write the Holy Qura’n.
            It was learnt by speech, which is why throughout the whole world, Muslims learn the words by heart.
            It wasn’t actually written down until our Beloved, (PBUH), had left this world.

            Only light can banish the dark, not more darkness.

            Love is the only way.

            As with anything, it is much easier to criticise than it is to create.

            So if you can’t say anything nice, don’t, just don’t spew hatred everywhere.
            Your life must be so perfect because all you can do is criticise.
            Somehow though, I suspect the opposite is true, hence your obsession with trying to make others look worse than you.

            I just hope you stop and think, why are so many people attracted to Islam, despite all the fake news and bad press.
            I really do wish you well in life as in Islam it’s not a race or a competition, we can all make it not just a few of us.
            Peace!

            • Anonymous says:

              Just more drivel. If Islam is so peaceful and loving please answer the questions you so carefully avoid. For your information, I am an ex-muslim that studied hard and had religious instruction. The more I learned the more I understood and hence why I left it. So once again explain

              Why are hands chopped for stealing?
              Why muslim women cannot marry outside Islam but a muslim man can?
              Why is temporary marriage allowed?
              Why Muhammad married a 12 year old girl?

              Having lived in several muslim countries, it is plainly obvious that some traditions have worked their way into the religion.

              Why us stoning to death still practiced?

              All would be given Koranic justification

              Oh and my funniest experience is Ramadan, where people are supposed to fast between sunrise and sunset, but what I witnessed was people simply stuffing themselves at night and sleeping for a good part of the day. Women cannot fast while menstruating which means unless their cycle synchronises with ramadan, they will never complete it.

              Islam cannot even agree in when Ramadan starts precisely.
              It is dependent on a moon sighting.

              Sunrise and sunset varies greatly in the North and South hemispheres, meaning you could be fasting two hours or twenty two hours.

              There is so much fakery in Islam, there is simply no need for fake news!

        • Anonymous says:

          You are wrong here; “many people do note even know that the veil is only for use in front of men”. Many people DO indeed know this. We are not all walking around like idiots.
          The issue is the WHY. And the why is because an uncovered woman is too risky for a man to resist! Really?? In those countries that require this of women, you risk being raped or beaten if you do not cover your face.
          Why should anyone hide their face from anyone?
          Learn to control your base animal impulses like the rest of the civilized world. I would not consider anyone ‘more civilized’ just because you require your women to be veiled/hidden/covered.

          • Sensible says:

            Why?

            Because they can, they choose to do so.

            But that rhetoric doesn’t fit in your imagery of Islam, does it.
            The women must be oppressed or forced, because there are no intelligent Muslims in your book are there?

            I note that you’ve ignored all the good traits.
            What are you afraid of?
            If you keep an open mind, look at things objectively, you might actually find the truth?

            That’s it, you’re afraid you might discover that Islam is the truth and you might be tempted to join us.

            Welcome to one and all.

            • Anonymous says:

              The women of Saudi Arabia (birth place of Islam) do NOT have a choice when it comes to covering up.

              • Anonymous says:

                Islam existed before Saudi Arabia

                Islam was born in 610 AD and Saudi Arabia was founded in 1932. You are only 1322 years wide off the mark. Your maths and history aren’t that bad, I must admit.

      • Anonymous says:

        Why Muslims countries don’t allow christian to freely built churches in their countries, if they are do peace and loving.

        • Anonymous says:

          1. Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast 

          2. The Algazi Synagogue in Izmir, Turkey

          3. El Ghriba Synagogue in Tunisia 

           4. Russian Church of St. Philip the Apostle – UAE

          5. The Neve Shalom Synagogue in Istanbul, Turkey 

          6. Saint Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Orthodox Parish – UAE

           
          7. The Gracanica Monastery in Kosovo 

          8. The Cathedral Sacre-Coeur in Casablanca, Morocco

          9. St Anthony of Padua Church in Istanbul, Turkey

          10. The Patriarchal Basilica of St. George in Fenerbahçe, Turkey

          11. St Nicholas Orthodox Church in Aktobe City, Kazakhstan

          12. The National Church of Nigeria in Abuja

          13. The Chicken Church, Indonesia

          14. the Grand Synagogue of Edirne, Turkey

          15. Magen Abraham, Lebanon

          Above are just some of the many churches and synagogues in Muslim majority countries. The following article might be a good read:

    • Anonymous says:

      According to official data from Europol, the European Union’s law enforcement agency, in the 4 years between 2011 and 2014 there were 746 terrorist attacks in Europe.  Of these, only eight were religiously-inspired, which is 1% of the total.

      • Anonymous says:

        Many European people are scared to say anything contradicting islam because they don’t want to be targeted. Many European countries, refuse to acknowledge religious terrorism and will look for any way not to label it as such. The reason they labelled those 8 as religiously inspired is because the evidence was too overwhelming for them to brush under the rug.

    • Justice says:

      Assimilation or integration?

  18. Anonymous says:

    Perhaps the Imam will comment on the punishment of chopping hands for stealing, temporary marriage (mutah) to allow for sexual relations, why muslim women can’t marry non-muslims (but it is okay for men). Yes, I am an ex-muslim that sought free thought and not that of bearded men! And while we are at it, the hadith comment on Muhammad marrying a 12 year old girl! Islam has a lot to answer for!

  19. Ron Ebanks says:

    God bless the Cayman Island .

  20. Anonymous says:

    Great initiative. There should be more events like this in the future to promote peace and harmony!

    • Mehmane says:

      We are more in need of such bridge-building events from all communities now than ever before. We have to understand our neighbours. People of mixed races make up 40% and various immigrant ethnic groups make up 20% of the Cayman population.

  21. Mourssy Kassem Hassan says:

    Allahu Akbar

    • Mehmane says:

      Translation: God is great

      “There is none like You, O LORD; You are great, and great is Your name in might.” (Jeremiah 10:6)

  22. Anonymous says:

    Lovely!!

    Keep on keeping on. The Cayman Islands are famous for shunning people unlike themselves. It’s quite a feat that you got this far!

    Peace.

    • Anonymous says:

      Don’t be fooled by bearded men. Live in Islamic country and you will see why so many leave.

      • Anonymous says:

        Most Caymanian people can’t see something wrong coming until it bites off their noses, then its too late.