Visit of a group from the University of Amsterdam

Last Sunday, after concluding our weekly Quran recitation meeting and Ustad Abdelhani class, we had the pleasure of welcoming a group of visitors from the Netherlands to our mosque. Through collaboration with the faculty of Education and Training of the University of Amsterdam, a group composed of about 17 students together with their course coordinator joined Hayy Khalid and Nabil Abdalhaqq. Together we shared experiences about life in the mosque, the community and how we cope in a mostly Catholic environment.

The interaction with this group of Dutch students resulted in an enriching and valuable experience for both parties. During their visit, meaningful exchanges were generated in which we were able to share our traditions, values and daily challenges. The curiosity and respect they showed for our religion was genuine, which contributed to an atmosphere of openness and mutual understanding. The diversity of perspectives enriched our discussion and allowed us to show the richness of Islamic belief in an authentic and meaningful way.

This cross-cultural and educational connection proved to be an opportunity to strengthen ties and foster intercultural understanding. The presence of the group of Dutch students not only reminded us of the importance of interfaith dialogue, but also reinforced our conviction to promote diversity and tolerance in an increasingly globalized world. The sincere reception of our foreign visitors underscored the importance of education and cultural exchange as fundamental pillars for building bridges between diverse communities and fostering harmony in today’s society.