By Acharya Dwivedi
NORTH DELTA – The Ahmaddiya Jamaat organized Multifaith Symposium at their Baitur Rahman Mosque in Delta during Ramadan in which they invited various religious leaders to reflect upon the importance of fasting in their traditions. The following faith representatives spoke: Elder Tom Oleman (Indigenous Tradition), Imam Mujib Ahmad, Imam Tariq Azeem (Islam), Acharya Dwivedi(Hindu Dharma), Rabi Laura D. Kaplan (Jewdaism),Mrs Sherry Marceil, Rev, Shahid Kamal,Rev. Wayne Driedger, Rev. father Keghert Garabedian(Christianity) and Mr. Soheyl Mottahedeh(Bahai). Omar Chaudhry and his team arranged this event successfully.
During holy month of Ramadan Muslim observe whole day fast and break it at the time fixed in their calendar. There are physical, mental, spiritual and social benefits of it. Charity, donation and economic help to support poor and others are given utmost importance during fasting days.
Fasting is an ancient religious tradition which has been practiced by Hindus, Jews, Christians, Buddhists, Jains and Muslims etc. It is a common form of austerity, and is done to show sincerity and resolve to express gratitude to God for creating and sustaining the world. Fasting is being carried out for religious and spiritual purposes-to build character, strength and purity; to restrain the mind and the senses, to practice detachment and self control.
- Fasting is also used as punishment for theft and other bad deeds
- Used as atonement
- Considered as purifier
- Penance for expiation of sins
- Fasting as a political tool used by Mahatma Gandhi
Raj Chouhan, the Deputy Speaker of B C Legislative Assembly was the Master of Ceremony. Naeem Ahmed, President of the Mosque thanked the guests and at the end Iftar and dinner was enjoyed by more than 400 guests of all ages.
