Interfaith conference looks to increase understanding

Prince George will hear from six religious scholars Sunday at the city's 10th World Religions Conference, an interfaith event meant to foster understanding.

"It's a unique opportunity to learn something, (an) aspect of religion that you have never heard about," said event organizer Rizwan Peerzada. "It really gives (the audience) a perspective of six religions."

The free event, at UNBC's Canfor Theatre, will feature speakers from Bah', Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic and Sikh faiths.

"This is an opportunity to know someone's faith and that faith is actually culture also," he said. "It enhances our understanding of each person, each faith and the community."

The conference - with the theme Existence of God: Myth or Reality? - is hosted by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, a Canada-wide organization that has more than 100 chapters. It represents a revival movement within Islam that believes Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who died in 1908, of Qadian, India, to be a messiah.

For his part Peerzada has helped organize events across B.C., in the Yukon and in the Northwest Territories.

"We condemn any violence in the name of religion and that's why we're holding these kinds

of events - interfaith dialogue - for the last 15 years to promote the peace and harmony," he said.

Lack of understanding can lead to distrust, or the other persistent stereotypes, such as equating Muslims with terrorists.

Peerzada uses the Conservative government's push to ban the niqab and face covering from citizenship ceremonies as but one example of ignorance.

"This is just not knowing each other's faith," he said of the ban, which the Federal Court ruled this month was unlawful.

"We live in a global village and I believe we have to know about each other. Not knowing each other, you become illiterate and you think something about the other ... which is irrelevant," Peerzada said.

Many don't know much about the Baha'i faith, for example. Sunday's speaker is Charlotte Wenninger, a member of the community for over 34 years and an elected member of the Prince George group.

"It's understanding and education. That's why we go to faculties, we go to universities and colleges."

The organization will also award bursaries to three students valued at $500 each.

The conference runs from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Canfor Theatre, with panelist speeches expected to start at 3:30 p.m.

The panel presentations will be moderated by Mayor Lyn Hall and there will also be a question and answer period.