Syed Mukarram Nazeer, Canada Correspondent
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Saskatoon, Canada, held a Religious Founders’ Day event on 3 December 2022, at the Baitur Rahmat Mosque in Saskatoon. The topic of the event was “Unity and Peace through Religion,” reported secretary tabligh Saskatoon, Rashid Ahmed Sahib.
The speakers represented six major religions around the world and presented their perspectives on the topic. Their details are as follows:
Hinduism: Leela Sharma, former president of the Hindu Society of Saskatchewan
Christianity: Pastor Garth Ewert-Fisher, head pastor at the Mount Royal Mennonite Church, Saskatoon
Bahá›ísm: Valerie Senyk, Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Saskatoon
Sikhism: Amandeep Singh, Sikh Community of Saskatchewan
Buddhism: Sirinanda Thero, a Buddhist chaplain who teaches Buddhism at Saskatoon Meditation Center
Islam: Wajahat Ahmed, Secretary Tabligh, Halqa Baitur Rahmat, Saskatoon
The event started with the recitation from the Holy Quran and its English translation, followed by a welcome address by secretary tabligh Saskatoon, who introduced all speakers.
Each speaker spoke on the topic from the perspective of their religion. They explained their fundamental beliefs, focusing on shared tenants. The most unifying of these tenants was the belief that we are all connected spiritually and have a duty to care for one another.
The gathering was well attended, with a sizeable number of non-Ahmadi guests. Some feedback received from the guests is as follows:
Valerie Senyk, of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá›ís of Saskatoon, said:
“I believe that these types of events are glowing examples of what can be achieved to enhance love, respect, and harmony between our different faiths. We should organise this type of interfaith symposium on a monthly basis.”
Leela Sharma, former president of the Hindu Society of Saskatchewan, expressed:
“Thanks to you and your community again for inviting me to speak at the mosque. It was a wonderful gathering. As many said afterwards, it would be wonderful to have some regular kind of gathering for the different faiths to really get to know one another better.”
The total attendance was 70, with 35 non-Ahmadi guests.