Sunday, September 16, 2018
J. G. Hagey Hall (Humanities Theatre), University of Waterloo
THEME: Experiencing God in Today's World
OPENING SESSION
12:30p Doors Open
— Welcome and Registration
— Visit to World Religions Displays
12:50p Opening World Religions Multi Media Presentation
1:00p Welcome by the Presiding Chair
— Phil Allt, Councillor City of Guelph
1:02p Opening Reading from a Holy Scripture
1:05p Opening Ceremony
— Introduction of Speakers and Dignitaries
— Unveiling of the World Religions Conference Plaque
— Singing of O'Canada - National Anthem of Canada
1:16p Introductory Remarks
— Lal Khan Malik, National President,
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada
1:19p Speaker’s Introductory Teaser Remarks
1:20p — Christianity: Michael Clifton – Waterloo
1:22p — Islam: Imam Afzal Mirza – Toronto
1:24p — Buddhism: Bhante Sasanasarana – Toronto
1:26p — Sikhism: Jasmine Kaur – Toronto
1:28p — Baha’i Faith: Jaellayna Palmer – Waterloo
1:30p — Indigenous Religions: Brenda Jacobs – Hamilton
1:32p — Judaism: Dr. Daniel Maoz – Cambridge
1:34p — Hinduism: Swami Parivrajika – Kitchener
1:36p — Humanism: Sassan Sanei – Kitchener
1:38p Messages and Greetings from Guest Dignitaries
- Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister & MP Waterloo
- Raj Saini, MP of Kitchener-Centre
- Honourable Prabmeet Singh Sarkaria MPP Brampton South
- Mayor Dave Jaworsky of the City of Waterloo
- Karen Redman, Regional Councillor
- Jan D’Ailly, Former City of Waterloo Councillor and Moderator of WRC-2016
1:55p Break Time and Social Interactions
— Complimentary Refreshments
THEME SESSION - "Experiencing God in Today's World"
Speakers present his/her view of their respective faith on the theme (13 minutes each). Each presentation will be followed by a presentation of recitation from the Holy Scriptures (3 minutes).
2:20p Introduction to the Theme Session — Moderator
2:23p Experiencing God as a Christian — Michael Clifton
2:36p Christian Holy Scripture Recitation — Christian Community
2:39p Experiencing God as a Muslim — Imam Muhammad Afzal Mirza
2:52p Islamic Holy Scripture Recitation — Ahmadi Muslims
2:55p Experiencing God as a Buddhist — Bhante Sasanasarana
3:08p Buddhist Holy Scripture Recitation — Buddhist Community
3:11p Experiencing God as a Sikh — Jasmine Kaur
3:24p Sikh Holy Scripture Recitation — Sikh Community
3:27p Experiencing God as a Baha’i — Jaellayna Palmer
3:40p Baha’i Faith Holy Scripture Recitation — Baha’i Community
3:43p Experiencing God as an Indigenous — Brenda Jacobs
3:56p Indigenous Holy Scripture Recitation — Indigenous Community
3:59p Coffee Break — Complimentary Refreshments and Social
4:24p Experiencing God as a Jew — Dr. Daniel Maoz
4:37p Jewish Holy Scripture Recitation — Jewish Community
4:40p Experiencing God as a Hindu — Swami Haripriya Parivrajika
4:53p Hindu Holy Scripture Recitation — Hindu Community
4:56p Experiencing the Absence of God as a Humanist — Sassan Sanei
5:09p Presentation of Secular Principles — Society of FreeThinkers
INTERACTIVE & CONCLUDING SESSION
5:12p Announcing rules of the Q/A Session — Moderator
5:14p Open Question & Answer Session
— with all speakers of different faiths and philosophies
5:55p Vote of Thanks - Recognition of Speakers and Volunteers
— Nomaan Mubashir, President WRC Organizing Committee
5:57p Closing Remarks — Moderator & Chair
5:59p Silent Multi-Faith Prayer — All Faiths
6:00p Dinner and Social
(* The order of presentations was determined via random draw at the last World Religions Conference, held November 4, 2017)