“This is an open discussion, it’s not a debate. We live in a society where we are free to speak and give our opinion. People who are there (decide) how they feel about somebody’s perspective. That’s the model of these programs.”
Source/Credit: Airdrie City View
By Joel Dryden | Apr 30, 2015
Scholars from multiple world religions will come together to share their views and discuss issues related to faith during the sixth annual World Religions Conference being held May 6 at the Airdrie Ramada Inn.
The event, which is organized by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (AMC) in Calgary, will focus on questions of freedom of expression and religious sanctity.
AMC representative Sultan Mahmood said the topic arose following the aftermath of the Jan. 7 terrorist attack on satirical French newspaper Charlie Hebdo in Paris.
During the attack, two brothers, Saïd and Chérif Kouach, stormed into the offices of the controversial newspaper, killing 11 people and injuring 11 others. The attack prompted worldwide conversation surrounding rights of the press and free speech.
“After the attack in Paris, this topic is a pretty hard topic,” he said.
“Is freedom of expression limitless, or do you have to draw a line somewhere? That’s the question.”
The panel will include Miriam Fry, David Pollard, Salman Khalid and Pankaj Dholabhai, representing Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Hinduism respectively. Each speaker will have 15 to 20 minutes to speak on the topic. Once all speakers have presented, a question and answer period will follow.
“This is an open discussion, it’s not a debate. We live in a society where we are free to speak and give our opinion,” Mahmood said.
“People who are there (decide) how they feel about somebody’s perspective. That’s the model of these programs.”
Mahmood said the AMC holds yearly interfaith programs to promote cultural understanding and conversation.
“We hold these programs to build bridges between cultures and to remove any misunderstandings about any faith group,” he said. “We regularly hold these programs all over Canada.”
Doors for the event will open at 5:30 p.m. and the program will start at 6 p.m. Admission is free, and those wishing to register can do so by calling 1-866-628-5435 or by visiting islamevents.ca/airdrie
Read original post here: Religious forum to explore freedom of expression
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