Press and Media Release
For Immediate Release

26th World Religions Conference
Scholars of 8 faiths and Philosophical Traditions participating
Multi Faith Presentations, Poems and Songs
Waterloo, Ontario, November 1, 2006

Theme: My Faith and Freedom of Conscience

Continuing 25 years of interfaith respect, mutual understanding and harmony among world's faiths, the 26th World Religions Conference is scheduled for Saturday, December 2, 2006 to be held at the prestigious Humanities Theatre, J.G. Hagey Hall, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Every year this event assembles people from diverse faith communities to promote mutual understanding, respect, cohesion, and fraternity among all members of the human family. We are all aware of the disastrous consequences resulting from misunderstandings of each other’s faiths and ideas. Therefore, we continue to strive to shorten the gap between faith communities, and to demonstrate that we can live together in the spirit of acceptance, harmony, and compassion.

Distinguished scholars from various faiths and philosophical traditions will be representing Aboriginal Peoples' Religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Sikh Religion and Atheism and will deliberate at the conference and presented the deepest understandings of their respective faiths on the Freedom of Conscience. Faith groups will present special spiritual poems and songs, and set up displays and exhibits. Lunch, Dinner and refreshments will be provided at the conference venue.

This conference achieved a major milestone during last year’s silver jubilee event by attracting over 1300 delegates from all walks of the society. We welcomed delegates from academia, media, as well as leaders from local, provincial and national governments. Over 20 organizations have joined us to date as our partners in this endeavor.

The theme of this year's conference "My Faith and Freedom of Conscience", will serve as the forum of deliberations at this year’s event. Scholars of 8 faiths and philosophies will participate. Religious organizations will present spiritual presentations and set up a World Religions’ Exhibition.

Mr. Brent Hanson, an eminent News Anchor from CTV will preside over and moderate the conference.

The event will run from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. The event will consist of three sessions:

a) An opening session, where in addition to greetings from dignitaries, each speaker will give an opening 5 minute introduction of "My Faith".

b) A theme session after Lunch Break, where each speaker will speak on the theme "Freedom of Conscience" for 15 minutes. Each speech will be followed by a religious and cultural presentation consisting of a religious poem or song, by a group of representatives of the the respective faith.

c) A concluding and interactive session will wrap up the conference where all speakers will respond to questions from the audience.

The Event if free and open to the public. Registration is recommended, if you wish to attend.

Please contact us for any details or visit www.worldreligionsconference.org

For More information contact:

Nabeel A. Rana
Chief Planning and Coordinating Officer
XXVIth World Religions Conference
Phone: 519-894-1389
Cell: 519-722-0841

Or

Syed S. Anwar
Public Relations Manager and Coordinating Officer II
XXVIth World Religions Conference
Phone: 519-653-1584

Email: info@worldreligionsconference.org
www.worldreligionsconference.org
Toll Free: 1-877-INFO-WRC

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Organizers

 Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam Canada
 

Partners

1. Ahmadiyya Muslim Students Association (University of Waterloo)
2. Federation of Students of the University of Waterloo
3. Sri Sathya Sai Baba Spiritual Group (Univ of Waterloo)
4. Sikh Students Association (Univ of Waterloo)
5. Jewish Studies Program (Univ of Waterloo)
6. Aboriginal Students Association (Univ of Waterloo)
7. Waterloo Riverview Dharma Center
8. Waterloo Christian Fellowship (Univ of Waterloo)
9. Brahmarishi Mission of Canada (KW)
10. Encounter World Religions (Guelph)
11. Interfaith Grandriver
12. Temple Shalom of Waterloo
13. Society of Freethinkers of Ontario
14. Beam on Systems Solutions Inc
15. Callture-TelCan
16. CKCO-CTV
17. Global TV Toronto
18. Across Boundaries Multi-Faith Institute of Toronto
19. Faith FM 94.3 Radio
20. The Record
21. K-W Council of Churches
22. Cross Cultures