Program: 31st WRC

Saturday, October 1, 2011

Humanities Theatre, J.G. Hagey Hall, Ontario, Canada

Presided and Moderated by

Jeff Allan

(Famous Radio Host of the Waterloo Region)

Opening Session
10:00a — 12:20p

10:00a        Doors Open (Registration and Social)

10:30a        Opening World Religions Multi Media Presentation

10:40a        Welcome by the Presiding Chair

— Jeff Allan, K-W’s Famous Radio Host

10:45a        Opening Readings from the Holy Scriptures - All Faiths

11:01a        Opening Ceremony

— Introduction of Speakers and Dignitaries
— Unveiling of the World Religions Conference Plaque
— Singing of O'Canada - National Anthem of Canada

11:08a        Introductory Remarks

— Lal Khan Malik, National President,
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada

11:14a        Introduction to World Faiths & Philosphies*

11:15a — Judaism: Dr. Allan Gould - Toronto
11:20a — Hinduism: Swami Bhagwan Shanker - Hamilton
11:25a — Sikhism: Hari Nam Singh Khalsa - Toronto
11:30a — Humanism: Doug Thomas - Elmira
11:35a — Islam: Muhammad Afzal Mirza - Mississauga
11:40a — Christianity: Pastor Rick Pryce - Kitchener
11:45a — Aboriginals: Gerard Sagassige - Kitchener
11:50a — Buddhism: Sister Thich Quang - Hamilton

11:56p        Messages and Greetings from Guest Dignitaries

— Representative of the University of Waterloo
— Local and Regional Leaders
— Provincial and National leaders

12:20p        Complimentary Lunch and Social Break

Theme Session "Who is GOD ?"*
1:20p — 4:45p

Seven World Faith representatives and a Humanists philosopher (Representing Atheists and Agnostics) will present his/her view of their respective faith on the theme "Who is GOD?" (15 minutes each). Each speech will be followed by a spiritual presentation of a poem or song reinforcing the concept presented by the respective faiths religious group (5 minutes).

1:20p    Introduction to the Theme Session — Moderator

1:24p    Jewish Perspective — Dr. Allan Gould - Toronto
1:39p    Judaic Spiritual Poem or Song — Local Jewish Community

1:45p    Hindu Perspective — Swami Bhagwan Shanker - Hamilton
2:00p    Hindu Spiritual Poem or Song — Local Hindu Community

2:06p    Sikh Perspective — Hari Nam Singh Khalsa - Toronto
2:21p    Sikh Spiritual Poem or Song — Sikh Student's Association, UW

2:27p    Humanist Perspective — Doug Thomas - Elmira
2:42p    Secular Poem or Song — Society of Ontario FreeThinkers

2:48p    Islamic Perspective — Muhammad Afzal Mirza - Mississauga
3:03p    Islamic Spiritual Poem or Song — Ahmadiyya Muslim Childrens

3:09p    Coffee Break — Complimentary Refreshments and Social

3:40p    Announcing rules of the Q/A Session — Moderator

3:43p    Christian Perspective — Pastor Rick Pryce - Kitchener
3:58p    Christian Spiritual Poem or Song — Local Christian Community

4:04p    Aboriginal Spiritual Perspective — Gerard Sagassige - Kitchener
4:19p    Aboriginal Spiritual Poem or Song — Aboriginal Community of KW

4:25p    Buddhist Perspective — Sister Thich nu Tinh Quang - Hamilton
4:40p    Buddhist Spiritual Poem or Song — Local Buddhist Community

Concluding & Interactive Session
4:46p — 5:45p

4:46p    Vote of Thanks - Recognition of Speakers and Volunteers

— Mohammad Amir Sheikh, Regional President, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at

4:52p    Open Question & Answer Session with all Speakers

5:40p    Closing Remarks — Moderator & Chair

5:43p    Silent Multi-Faith Prayer — All Faiths

5:45p    Complimentary Dinner and Social

(* The order of speakers presenting various religious perspectives was determined via random draw at the last conference held on October 16, 2010)

(Program Agenda Subject to Change)