Source/Credit: Victoria Times Colonist | Calgary
By Branila Litwin | January 20, 2011
Scholars from seven faiths present views at event hosted by Muslims
Is religion a resource for peace, or a reason for conflict?
That's the hot topic to be discussed during the seventh interfaith conference at the University of Victoria on Sunday.
It's hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at of B.C., in collaboration with the World Religions Conference, and the controversial theme will be explored by religious scholars from seven faiths including Aboriginal, Buddhist, Christian, Sikh, Jewish, Hindu and Islamic. Also attending are many dignitaries from Victoria, scholars, the public and students.
"This topic has been discussed for a long time," said Toronto's Muhammad Afzal Mirza, a minister who will present the Islamic point of view.
"Religion is being looked at now as a source of conflict and problems, but if you go back to the founders of religions, whether Islam or Judaism or Christianity, all these faiths reflected a very peaceful life, and true followers understood that true nature of faith."
He said Islam has been hijacked by people with varied motives and agendas.
"Many faiths have gone through this dilemma [such as the Spanish Inquisition in the name of Roman Catholicism] and now it's our turn."
He explained the rant-ings of people like Osama Bin Laden have over-shadowed beautiful teachings based on compassion and service to humanity.
"Those that are giving the bad name, whether Christian or Muslim, are "not that many. They are a handful, yet this is all we hear about in the media. The peace-loving people of all religions should stand up for what they believe in and not be intimidated."
At the Victoria conference, he said, "seven faiths will join hands on a platform to listen and communicate."
He has been asked to speak at similar conferences all over the country. He welcomes the oppor-tunity and adds his Islamic congregation in Toronto is very concerned about prejudice based on mistaken ideas about religion.
This conference is being organized with co-operation from Alaska Orthodox Church; Sikh Temple, Victoria; Hindu Parishad Temple; Tsartip First Nation; Victoria Buddhist Dharma Society; and Jewish Brothers and Sisters.
Lucinda Chodan, editor-in-chief of the Times Colonist, will chair the event.
What: Interfaith Symposium
Where: David Lam Auditorium, University of Victoria
When: 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday
Admission: Free
For more information, contact Rizwan Peerzada, president of Ahmadiyya Muslim Rizwan Community of Surrey at 1-877-767-1965 or visit www.ahmadiyya.ca
© Copyright (c) The Victoria Times Colonist
Read original post here:Symposium to explore religion in war, peace
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