Canada: Symposium details suffering

"The symposium is an opportunity for each speaker to share their thoughts on how their religion perceives human suffering in the world."

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Daily News | Canada
By Robert Barron | January 20, 2011

Religion scholars from different faiths meet in Nanaimo to offer their own viewpoints

Religious scholars from a variety of different faiths will gather in Nanaimo on Saturday for an interfaith symposium on human suffering.

Organizer Rizwan Peerzada said the symposium, hosted by Surrey's Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at in collaboration with the World Religions Conference, is called "Reconciling Existence of God and Human Suffering" and scholars representing many of the world's religions will provide their viewpoints on the topic.

Cale Cowan, managing editor of the Nanaimo Daily News, will be the chairman and moderator for the event, which starts at 3 p.m. at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.

The keynote speaker is Nanaimo Mayor John Ruttan.


"The symposium is an opportunity for each speaker to share their thoughts on how their religion perceives human suffering in the world," Peerzada said. "The idea is for those in attendance to pick up on the good things each religion teaches on the topic so that we can all learn from each other and promote religious harmony across B.C. We're hoping to see a big turnout for the symposium."

This conference is also being organized with co-operation from the city's Maranatha Church, Gurdwara sahib Miri Piri Darbar, the Nichien Buddha Hokkeko Society, the Hindu Temple of Nanaimo and the Tsartip First Nation.

Greg Sam will represent the aboriginal faith at the symposium; Pastor Barry Hansen will be representing Christianity; Henry Landry will speak for Buddhism; Shiv Sharma will present the Hindu faith; Tajinder Singh will represent Sikhism; and Muhammad Afzal Mirza will present the Islamic point of view.

Peerzada said symposiums on other topics have been held in Vancouver and Victoria for the past six years.

"The people from Nanaimo were very much part of the dialogue at the symposiums," he said.

Peerzada said admission is free but he suggests people who wish to attend book a seat to ensure they have a space should there be an overflow crowd.

To book a seat for the symposium, call 1-877-767-1965 or e-mail info.bc@ahmadiyya.ca.
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