Source/Credit: Daily Townsman | Cranbrook, B.C
By Bonnie Bryan | November 15, 2010
The Key City Theatre will be the setting of an interfaith symposium in just under two weeks where people can learn about the perspective of different religions on the theme of "Reconciling the Existence of God and Human Suffering."
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at in collaboration with the World Religions Conference is organizing the symposium. At the event religious scholars from Aboriginal faith, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam and Sikhism will talk about how their religion reconciles the existence of God with human suffering.
Cranbrook Mayor Scott Manjak will be the presiding chair and moderator of the event. Each speaker will have 20 minutes to present their views and then there will be an opportunity for questions afterwards. The event takes place Sunday, Nov. 28 at the Key City Theatre from 3-7 p.m. and admission is free.
Chief Chris Luke of the Yaqan Nu'Kiy will represent Aboriginal faith, Martin Blackwell will represent Buddhism, Pastor Ron Foubister of the Knox Presbyterian church in Cranbrook will represent Christianity, Muhammad Aslam Shad, Regional President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community B.C. will present the Islamic point of view and Gianni Harkirat Singh will represent Sikhism.
Rizwan Peerzada, Regional Coordinator for Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and an organizer of the event, said they have been holding an interfaith symposium in Kelowna for the last six years and received requests to hold one in Cranbrook. He said it is a good opportunity for those who belong to a religion and those who don't.
"The purpose of our interfaith symposium is to bring the religions in one place and discuss the beautiful teachings of each others' faiths," he said. "Those who believe in God can strengthen their faith by listening to these learned speakers and the purpose is also that people who do not believe in religion and do not believe in God in any form, it's a challenge we are providing to them: come and listen. You have your opportunity to ask any question and let us know what you think about the high power we believe in."
Foubister said the theme of reconciling the existence of God with human suffering is a good one as it is something many people think about.
"It's certainly a perennial question that's been asked down through the ages and it's something that is of particular concern for Christians because Christians believe in a God that's all loving and all powerful and yet there's suffering," he said. "It's certainly a pertinent question and I think it's a reasonable question because the Christian faith has some significant answers to this. I'm looking forward to the opportunity for sharing."
The event is not a debate between the religions and Foubister said it's been made clear speakers are not to compare their position with other faiths, just to present their own. He said he hopes people of all different backgrounds attend the event as it will give everyone an opportunity to hear about different religions first hand from those who belong to them.
Peerzada said they had hoped to find someone to speak from the Jewish perspective but so far have not found anyone. He said if there is anyone interested in doing so they can contact him at 1-877-767-1965 or info.bc@ahmadiyya.ca.
-- bonnie@dailytownsman.com
Read original post here: Interfaith symposium in Cranbrook November 28
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