The XXIIIrd World Religions Conference held October 4, 2003, on the theme "In Search of the Existence of God" consisted of speakers from eight different faiths or philosophical traditions. Below is a brief profile of the speakers representing various faiths or philosophies.

Represented 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.

Represented 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.

Represented 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.

Represented 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.

Represented 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.

Represented 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.

Represented 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).

Represented 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.