GIAN SINGH KOTLI
SURREY – An interesting interfaithsymposium regarding naturaldisasters and calamities wasorganized by The AhmadiyyaMuslim Jama’at of BC Canada.This symposium on “NaturalDisasters- Coincidence or Actof God” was held at SurreyCentre Library on January 20 todiscuss the theme of the eventfrom different theological viewpoints.It is to be appreciatedthat a highly popular communityleader and three times electedMLA Harry Bains was thePresident of the program. Andas the Master of Ceremony healso proved quite effective inproviding the much desiredeffect to this community eventto make it a fruitful and absorbinginterfaith event.Appreciating the endeavor ofthe Ahamadiyya MuslimCommunity, Harry Bains said,“Such beautiful programs ofbringing people together go along way in promoting multiculturalismand harmony in ourcountry. It is with such programsthat we can make ourbeautiful British Columbia allthe more beautiful and lovableplace to live in.The speakers included Ven.Grant Rodgers, Chair ofEcumenical Anglican Church,Rabbi Joshua Corbar for Jewish,Imam Bilal Khokhar for Islam,Gian Singh Kotli for Sikhismand Pastor Satish Kumar forChristianity. Almost all thespeakers seemed to converge onthe point that God is the drivingforce behind running the universe.He is present everywhere.In this respect the Sikh thoughtwas very clearly explained whereemphasis was laid on theomnipotence and omnipresenceof God who runs the universein accordance with his Naturallaws which can never bechanged by anyone. “Everythingis under God’s Hukam (laws)and no one is above His laws.God being Omnipresent residesin Nature. Therefore theNatural Disasters are part ofNature and hence Act of God.Harry Bains MLA thankedRizwan Peerzada, the live-wireof Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaa’tof BC and his team of dedicatedvolunteers for organizing thisinspiring event. All speakerswere honored by presentingthem plaques. Naeem LakhanPresident Metro VancouverRegion thanked all for makingthis event a grand success.
