CANADA: RELIGIOUS SCHOLARS TO GATHER AT UVIC - DELIGATES FROM VARIOUS FAITHS WILL DISCUSS SALVATION

"I would like to speak of the true, peaceful face of Islam. Actions by some in the name of Islam paint us in the wrong picture and gives people a distorted view of our religion." Mubarak Nazir, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Canada

Ahmadiyya Times | News Staff |
Source & Credit: Times Colonist | January 8, 2010
By Pedro Arrais | parrais@tc.canwest.com

When religious scholars gather in Victoria this weekend to debate the basis of salvation, at least one delegate will take the opportunity to include a message of peace and harmony.

On Sunday, Victoria will play host to this year's World Religious Conference, an annual multi-faith symposium where scholars of various faiths debate and search for answers to questions common to all religions.

Religious scholars will travel from across Canada to represent Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikhism and Islam on this year's topic: The basis and concept of salvation.

But even before the conference, Mubarak Nazir, senior vice-president and missionary in charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, expressed a desire to find time during the conference to speak of his religion's embarrassment over the actions of extremists who carry out violence in the name of Islam.

"I would like to speak of the true, peaceful face of Islam," Nazir said. "Actions by some in the name of Islam paint us in the wrong picture and gives people a distorted view of our religion." He says that the teachings of Islam expressly forbid violence and are all about peace and harmony.

The conference, hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, is a forum where scholars of various faiths can debate issues in a friendly atmosphere.

Rev. Doris Lewis, senior minister and pastor of the Unity Church of Victoria, will represent Christianity at this year's conference.

The conference is at the David Lam Auditorium at the University of Victoria this Sunday between 3 and 7 p.m. Although the event is open to the public, attendees are asked to register in advance.

For more information, call 1-877-767-1965 or e-mail rizwan.peerzada@gmail.com.
Information on past conferences is at www.worldreligionsconference.org.