A group of Muslim men, women, and children gave shoppers in Derby on Saturday a pleasant surprise as they handed free sweets and roses as a gesture of peace and understanding, Derby Telegraph reported.

“We have had quite a few people stop to speak to us which is good and gives a chance for dialogue that we don’t always have the opportunity to do,” said Shazad Riaz, an IT manager from Normanton and a member of As-Siraat organization.

“We give sweets because we believe it is a way of being generous towards our neighbors by giving a food item and the roses are linked with beauty and the beauty of people.”

As-Siraat is a group that aims to promote Islamic education to ensure the nurturing and development of younger generations.

The event, which was taking place in 25 other cities across the country and also in places across the world, coincides with the celebration of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

During Saturday’s event, members of As-Siraat also gave out leaflets containing quotations from the Qur’an.

Appreciation

Passerby Karin Slovich, of Derby, said she thought it was very nice to be given a rose.

“It was a splash of color on a very dull day and cheered me up no end. I admire these people for wanting to do something nice for other people,” she said.

Another person who was given sweets was Jake Donovan, who was with his daughter Jay-Maia, aged four.

“We live near to the mosque in Normanton and have quite a few Muslim friends and I know how generous they can be,” he said.

Earlier this year in April, young Muslims across 10 European countries handed out roses and flyers with basic information on Islam in an event designed to break fears and prejudices against Muslims and to promote empathy.

The events, organized by the Islamic Community Milli Gorus (ICMG) organization, expanded from Germany to the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Italy, and Switzerland.

In June 2017, British Muslims handed out 3,000 roses to residents and tourists at London Bridge, as a symbol of love in the wake of the terror attack at Borough Market.