Grande Prairie, Alberta - Canada: City's first interfaith conference planned

The focus of the conference is to provide a platform for a variety of faiths to ask these questions in a philosophical manner, according to each religion. Previous conferences have involved many different faiths, also including Buddhist, Hindu and Judaism, and are always conducted in a peaceful, positive manner.

Photo: World Religions Conference

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Herald-Tribune
By Reinisa MacLeod | September 14, 2011

Event set for Grande Prairie Regional College, September 24

Representatives of Christian, Islam and First Nations spirituality may not normally meet under the same roof, but they will do so Sept. 24 in Grande Prairie.

The city is hosting its first World Religions Conference session, organized by Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at as an interfaith topical discussion at Grande Prairie Regional College.

In past conferences across the province, topics have ranged from the existence of miracles to "if there is a God, why is there suffering."


In light of the many natural disasters that have occurred in the past few years, Basheer Islam of Calgary, one of the organizers, said the Grande Prairie event will focus on World Disasters: Natural Phenomena or Divine Warnings.

"The background is actual natural disasters," he said.

The focus of the conference, Islam said, is to provide a platform for a variety of faiths to ask these questions in a philosophical manner, according to each religion. Previous conferences have involved many different faiths, also including Buddhist, Hindu and Judaism, and are always conducted in a peaceful, positive manner.

"These questions are something that people ponder individually," Islam said. "All we do is we just try to find a platform where people can come and share their understanding."

He emphasized that the idea is to educate across each invited faith and discuss peacefully, as opposed to engaging in a heated debate.

He said that it also provides representatives with the opportunity to research and challenge elements within their own belief system.

"It almost takes you on a journey within your own realm of understanding, of what really is my understanding of the religion I represent," Islam said.

The discussion will include an introduction provided by a moderator, the opportunity for each religion to read from its own spiritual texts, then a 15- to 20-minute presentation on where their belief stands in regards to the topic.

The session rounds off with a question and answer period with the audience.

"It's a very good exercise," Islam said.

The interfaith discussion takes place at GPRC room C224. The event is free and will include some light refreshments.

"The spiritual message, the learning, is easier on a full stomach," Islam smiled.

For more information, or to register, visit the event website at www.islamevents.ca/grandeprairie or call 1-866-208-2683.

Similar sessions are planned for Peace River and Whitecourt this month.

The 31st annual national World Religions Conference will be held at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ont., on Oct. 1 with eight participating faiths. Information on that is available at www.worldreligionsconference.org .



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