WORLD RELIGION CONFERENCE

[Akaali]

Views of distinguished scholars of Aboriginal Spirituality, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism,

Christianity, Islam, Sikhism and Atheism

Saturday, October 4, 2003

11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Humanities Theatre, J.G. Hagey Hall

University of Waterloo

Introduction to World Faiths

Spiritual and Multifaith presentations

World Religions’ Exhibition and Displays

As seekers in search of truth, the first issue that must be resolved is the question of God's existence. The search for the existence of a supreme being transcends all cultures, races, ages, genders, and backgrounds. No matter what our station in life, we eventually form some conclusion to this question that confronts our unified existence. This is the beginning point for all religions and philosophies because our outlook on everything else is built upon the foundation laid by this answer.

Distinguished scholars from various faiths and philosophical traditions will deliberate at the conference and present the deepest understandings of their respective faiths on the question of the existence or non-existence of God. Faith groups will present special spiritual presentations, and set up displays and exhibits.

You are cordially invited to this Multi-faith event on Saturday, October 4, 2003 at 11:00 am at the Humanities Theatre, J. G. Hagey Hall, University of Waterloo. Lunch and Dinner will also be served.

RSVP

Information & Public Relations Officer

World Religions Conference 2003

(519) 620-9787

(519) 653-1584

religions@canada.com

Online: amsa.uwaterloo.ca

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PROGRAM

Presided and Moderated by

Darryl Konynenbelt

Anchor/Reporter CKCO-CTV

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Opening Session

11:00a — 12:55p

11:00a Commencement

11:05a Reading from the Holy Scriptures — All Faiths

11:20a Opening Ceremony

11:28a Opening Message

— Mayor Lynne Woolstencroft,

City of Waterloo

11:34a Welcome Remarks on behalf of UW

— Mr. Chris Edey,

President, Federation of Students, UW

— Ms. Catharine Scott,

Assoc. Provost HR and Student Services, UW

11:40a Messages from Guest Dignitaries

— National, Provincial and Local leaders

11:52a Introductory Remarks

— Mr. Lal Khan Malik,

National Vice President - II,

Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam

12:02p “Why I believe in my faith” — All speakers

(Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Aboriginal

Spirituality, Judaism, Christianity and Atheism)

12:43p A Multi-Faith Appearance by InterFaith Grandriver

12:55p LUNCH break

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Theme Session

1:40p — 4:59p

In Search of the

Existence of God

1:40p Keynote Remarks

J. W. Windland, Director and Founder

Encounter World Religions Centre, Guelph

1:49p Islamic Perspective — Mr. Naseem Mahdi, Toronto

2:05p Islamic Spiritual Presentation — Ahmadiyya Muslim Students

2:11p Hindu Perspective — Dr. Vijaya Kumar Murty, Toronto

2:27p Hindu Spiritual Presentation — UW Sai Baba & Brahmarishi Mission

2:33p Buddhist Perspective — Dr. Christopher Ross, Waterloo

2:49p Buddhist Spiritual Presentation — Waterloo Riverview Dharma Centre

2:55p Aboriginal Spiritual Perspective — Prof. Malcolm Saulis, Waterloo

3:1

1p Aboriginal Spiritual Presentation — Aboriginal Students’ Association

3:17p Sikh Perspective — Singh Sahib Guru Fatha Singh, Toronto

3:33p Sikh Spiritual Presentation — Sikh Students’ Association

3:39p Refreshments Break

3:54p Jewish Perspective — Dr.. Judy Wubnig, Waterloo

4:10p Judaic Spiritual Presentation

4:16p Christian Perspective — Dr. John North, Waterloo

4:32p Christian Spiritual Presentation — Waterloo Christian Fellowship

4:38p Atheist Perspective — Dr. Jan Narveson, Waterloo

4:54p Atheist Presentation

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Concluding & Interactive Session

5:00p — 6:00p

5:00p Vote of Thanks — Dr. Mohd S. Quraishi

Local President, Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam

5:06p Open Questions Session with Speakers

5:52p Closing Remarks — Presiding Chair and Moderator

5:58p Silent Prayers — Multi Faith

6:00p DINNER and SOCIAL

(The order of religious perspective was determined via random draw on August 11, 2003)

Program Agenda Subject to Change)

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Speaker Profiles

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Representing Islam

Mr. Naseem Mahdi

An impressive orator and scholar. Mr. Mahdi is the National President and Missionary Incharge of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, Canada. Graduate from Jamia Ahmadiyya (Islamic Univ.), Pakistan. Former President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Communities in Switzerland, Austria and Italy. Recipient of Gov. General's Award for Community service. Chair of Ahmadiyya Gazette. President and CEO of Muslim Television Ahmadiyya (MTA), Canada. Planned and oversaw the construction of Bai'tul Islam, the largest Mosque in North America.

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Representing Hinduism

Dr. Vijaya Kumar Murty

Highly learned Hindu scholar with deep interest in philosophy and spirituality. Dr. Murty has written several articles in this area including "Ethics and Values: A Vedantic Perspective" and "The Power of Imagination". Given numerous talks on Vedanta in Boston, Providence, Chicago as well as in Toronto. A Trustee of the Vedanta Society of Toronto. PhD in Mathematics from Harvard University. Professor of Mathematics at the University of Toronto.

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Representing Buddhism

Dr. Christopher Ross

Recognized academic scholar. Dr. Ross, PhD is associate professor in the Department of Religion and Culture at Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, in the field of the psychology of religion with a special interest in how individuals personalities influence what they look for in religion. Meditates in Buddhist traditions and has received teachings at the Riverview Dharma Centre in Waterloo and at the Kalpa Badra Centre in Guelph.

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Representing Aboriginal Spirituality

Prof. Malcolm Saulis

A Well-famed Traditional Aboriginal Spiritual Teacher and Speaker. Malcolm Saulis is a Malecite Indian from the Tobique First Nation. A social work educator at Wilfrid Laurier University. Professor for 20 years and a researcher in many areas of aboriginal interest. Recognized as Circle Keeper and received teachings from many Elders. Worked with churches, government and communities around issues of restorative justice, residential school issues, child welfare, health, suicide and many healing strategies.

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Representing Sikhism

Singh Sahib Guru Fatha Singh

Brilliant speaker and writer. Guru Fatha Singh is an ordained Sikh minister and author, teacher of Kundalini

Yoga, peace activist, and chaplain at the University of Toronto. Much of what he knows, he learned from the masterful Yogi Bhajan who has taught the empowering holistic tradition of Guru Nanak in the West since 1968. Guru Fatha Singh adopted the Sikh faith at the age of 18 in 1972. His articles are frequently featured in The Sikh Review.

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Representing Judaism

Dr. Judy Wubnig

Distinguished scholar on Judaism. Dr. Wubnig is a Ph.D. from Yale University. Research interests include Ethics and Political Philosophy; Epistemology; Metaphysics; History of Philosophy. Professor at the Department of Philosophy, University of Waterloo for over 35 years. Head of the Committee on Holocaust and Jewish Studies. Frequent reviewer and writer for several philosophical and social journals. Authored and translated many books and spoke at numerous symposiums and conferences in Canada and abroad.

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Representing Christianity

Dr. John North

Prolific Speaker and writer. Dr. North, PhD, specializes in 19th Century British Literature, Literature and the Bible, and Children's Literature. Founding chairman of the Pascal Lectures on Christianity and the University. Edited Malcolm Muggeridge's The End of Christendom and Charles Malik's A Christian Critique of the University. Professor in the Department of English, and a member of the University Senate and of the Board of Governors. Former President of the Faculty Association. Holds a Distinguished Teacher Award (2003).

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Representing Atheism

Dr. Jan Narveson

A renown philosopher. Dr. Narveson has been a member of the Department of Philosophy at the University of Waterloo since 1963. Ph.D. from Harvard, and has since published hundreds of articles and reviews,

and several books, and participated in hundreds of conferences and colloquia, almost entirely concerning topics in moral and political philosophy. Participated in several debates and panels regarding religion, among many others, in the Waterloo area and elsewhere.

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Conference Organizers:

Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam - Brantford Branch (Serving Brantford, Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph)

Ahmadiyya Muslim Students' Association - University of Waterloo

Our Partners:

Federation of Students, University of Waterloo

Waterloo Riverview Dharma Centre

Sri Sathya Sai Baba Group, University of Waterloo

Brahmrishi Mission of Canada

Waterloo Christian Fellowship

Sikh Students Association, University of Waterloo

Aboriginal Students Association, University of Waterloo

Jewish Studies Program at UW

Encounter World Religions Centre, Guelph

Interfaith Grandriver

The Record

CKCO-CTV

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For further information Contact:

On Campus:

Ahmadiyya Muslim Students Association

Federation of Students, University of Waterloo

Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1

Online: www.amsa.uwaterloo.ca

Off Campus:

Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam (Brantford Branch)

P.O. Box 28022 North Park Plaza

Brantford, ON N3R 7X5

Phone: 519.620.9787

Email: religions@canada.com

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Conference Venue:

Humanities Theatre, Hagey Hall

University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

Directions to the Conference venue from HWY 401:

From Highway 401 take exit 278 (if going west) or exit 278B (if going east) to Highway 8 west towards Kitchener. Exit at Highway 86 towards Waterloo. Then exit at University Avenue West. Turn Right on Seagram Drive (University of Waterloo is at Unive

rsity Avenue and Seagram Drive). Park in Parking Lot H, which is across J.G. Hagey Humanities Theatre.

Free Admission and Food — RSVP suggested