By Gian Singh Kotli Vancouver
As ever I found myself quite elated to receive an invitation to attend and speak at a unique multi-faith event where pathway for peace was to be sought by several major Faiths of the world on the evening of February 2, 2016 at Columbia Bible College Abbotsford. This timely and much needed event was “World Religions Conference” organized by Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, BC where all speakers were to present their Faith perspective on the given topic of “Pathway to Peace.”
Rizwan Peerzada, Regional Coordinator of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community welcomed the houseful guests and scholars. Mrs. Kara Berg Storm Director of Intercultural Studies Columbia Bible College, Mrs. Danielle Nazarewich Administrative Coordinator Diversity Education Abbotsford, Councilor Sandy Blue, Councilor Kelly Chahal and Dr Darryl Plecas MLA Abbotsford South Parliamentary Secretary to the Health Minister also addressed the guests and appreciated this conference. In his well meaning brief speech on this initiative Dr. Darryl Placas set the right pace for the “Pathway to Peace” proceedings. Dr Darryl said, “It is important for us to have faith in ourselves and have respect for other faiths. It is important we understand other faiths and promote peace. I wish everybody in Abbotsford should have come here to listen.”
Scholars from Baha’I-Harold Rosen, Buddhism-Kate McCandless, Christianity-Tim Keupfer, Hinduism-Srinath Dwevedi, Judaism-Susan Sharmash, Islam-Maulana Balal Khokhar and Sikhism-Gian Singh Kotli spoke meaningfully on theme to the great satisfaction of more than 335 devoted attendees for more than 3 hours thereby creating an atmosphere where everybody felt like seeking a pathway to peace. It seemed a great achievement of this great event that all the speakers converged on the point of love, peace, service to mankind and to sincerely follow the teachings of their respective faiths which can show them the right path to promote and maintain peace in the world.
In this respect citing from Hindu scriptures, Acharya Srinath Dwevedi said, “We have to accept boldly and honorably the religion, beliefs, race and ethnic background of others. If you have peace in your mind then you can give peace to others leading to happiness and peace in the world. Maulana Balal Khokhar amply proved on the basis of quotations from the holy Quran that Islam stands for peace and well being of all in accordance with our motto “Love for all, hatred for none”
In this Connection I cited some verses from Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh Scripture) to prove that our God Father is one and we are His children. That is why we must live in peaceful coexistence as the members of one world family. Respecting other Faiths our Guru says, “All Faiths are same leading us to God. God is in people and people are God. Then to whom call a bad person when God is in everybody.” Therefore it is imperative we must respect all faiths and live in peace.
It is highly commendable that at least 21 organizations including Sikh Temples and media offered their support for making this event a great success. The management of Gurdwara Baba Banda Bahadur Singh Abbotsford set a lively example of serving the people by providing Langar (free meals) to all at this multi-faith gathering.
I believe the golden Pathway to Peace is to serve mankind honestly and more such multi-faith assemblies also by other Faiths can prove all the more productive in raising our hopes for establishing peace all over the world.
Gian Singh Kotli can be reached at 604 5027151.
