From Battlegrounds to Common Grounds

Resolving the conflicts before The End

44th World Religions Conference

Sunday, November 22, 2026 (12:00 pm ~ 5:30 pm)
Lazaridis Hall Auditorium at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Canada's Largest Multi Faith Event

Speakers of the 44th World Religions Conference:

 

 

The 44th World Religions Conference is scheduled for this fall on Sunday, November 22, 2026 at Lazaridis Hall at Wilfrid Laurier University. The conference has been organized in Canada since 1981. It has a long tradition for bringing together renowned scholars for a deep and thought-provoking exchange of ideas. The event aims to explore the teachings and practices of different religious and philosophical traditions, with the hope that such mutual exploration will encourage better understanding and promote harmonious co-existence among the members of the society.

The theme selected for this year’s conference is: From Battlegrounds to Common Ground - Resolving the conflicts before The End. 

The theme calls upon faith communities to confront one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Wars continue to rage the world and threaten humanity towards a major world destruction. At this year’s World Religions Conference, representatives from eight world religions will share their perspectives on how spiritual teachings, moral principles, and lived experiences can help root out wars. 

About World Religions Conference

The World Religions Conference (WRC) is a multi-faith event which brings together well-known scholars from the world’s major religions to speak on a common topic from the point of view of their respective religious traditions. For 44+ years, the WRC has served as an invaluable forum for different religious and ethnic communities to gather in the spirit of tolerance, peace, cooperation, and understanding. The WRC serves the noble purpose of educating members of the community regarding interesting and relevant topics by providing a platform where all major religions can pool their collective wisdom and teachings regarding the topic. Continually on the rise in terms of organizational standards, quality of content, and attendance, the WRC has become Canada's largest and longest running event of its kind!

The conference has a long tradition for bringing together renowned scholars for a deep and thought-provoking exchange of ideas. The event aims to explore the teachings and practices of different religious and philosophical traditions, with the hope that such mutual exploration will encourage better understanding and promote harmonious co-existence among the members of the society.

Participating Religions and Philosophical Traditions:

Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Indigenous Spirituality and Humanism (Atheism and Agnostics)

Speakers of the 44th World Religions Conference: Will be announced soon. 

The conference has been organized in Canada since 1981. It has a long tradition for bringing together renowned scholars for a deep and thought-provoking exchange of ideas. The event aims to explore the teachings and practices of different religious and philosophical traditions, with the hope that such mutual exploration will encourage better understanding and promote harmonious co-existence among the members of the society.

Date of Event: Sunday, November 22, 2026 12:30pm to 5:00pm
Venue: Lazaridis Hall Auditorium Hall, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada 

Entire conference would be live streamed here on the conference website as well. 

For more info call: 1-877-INFO-WRC

Register here to attend

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Sunday, November 22, 2026

Lazaridis Auditorium, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo

THEME: From Battlegounds to Common Grounds

OPENING SESSION

11:30a  — Doors Open: Welcome & Registration

12:00p — Welcome by Moderator — Tim Louis, MP

12:02p — Opening Recitation from the Holy Qur’an

12:06p — Opening Ceremony

— Introduction of Speakers and Dignitaries
— Unveiling of the World Religions Conference Plaque
— Singing of O'Canada - National Anthem of Canada
— Words by President, WRC organizing committee
— Dr. Ahmad Imran

12:18p — Welcome from Martin Luther University College
                  — Rev. Dr. Daranne Harris, Principal-Dean

12:22p — Introductory Remarks by National President
                 — Lal Khan Malik, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Canada

12:27p — Faith in Focus: World Religions Year in Review

12:33p — Speakers’ Introductory Teaser Remarks

12:34p — Judaism — Rabbi David Mivasair, Hamilton
12:37p — Hinduism — Dr. Raj Balkaran, Toronto
12:40p — Islam — Imam Naveed Mangla, Ottawa
12:43p — Indigenous — Jean Becker, Guelph
12:46p — Humanism — Leslie Rosenblood, Toronto
12:49p — Christianity — Dr. Reina C. Neufeldt, Waterloo
12:52p — Buddhism — Venerable Zhi Guan, Mississauga
12:55p — Sikhism — Rupinder S. Khangura, Brampton

12:58p — Messages and Greetings from Guest Dignitaries
— Local, Regional, Provincial and National leaders

1:15p — Intermission & Community Connections
— Complimentary Refreshments

THEME SESSION - "From Battlegrounds to Common Grounds"

Speakers present his/her view of their respective faith on the theme (10 minutes each). Each presentation will be followed by a presentation of recitation from the Holy Scriptures (4 minutes).

1:45p — Introduction to the Theme Session — Moderator

1:47p — Judaic Perspective: Rabbi David Mivasair — Hamilton
1:57p — Jewish Sacred Hymn/Recitation Presentation

2:01p — Hindu Perspective: Dr. Raj Balkaran — Toronto
2:11p — Hindu Sacred Hymn/Recitation Presentation

2:15p — Islamic Perspective: Imam Naveed Mangla — Ottawa
2:25p — Islamic Sacred Recitation/Poetry Presentation

2:29p — Indigenous Perspective: Jean Becker — Guelph
2:39p — Indigenous Cultural/Reflective Singing Presentation

2:43p — Humanist Perspective: Leslie Rosenblood — Toronto
2:53p — Humanist Reflective Singing Presentation

2:57p — Christian Perspective: Dr. Reina C. Neufeldt — Waterloo
3:07p — Christian Sacred Hymn/Recitation Presentation

3:11p — Buddhist Perspective: Venerable Zhi Guan — Mississauga
3:21p — Buddhist Sacred Hymn/Chanting Presentation

3:25p — Sikh Perspective: Rupinder Singh Khangura — Brampton
3:35p — Sikh Sacred Recitation/Kirtan Presentation

3:39p — Intermission & Community Connections
— Complimentary Refreshments

3:39p Coffee Break — Complimentary Refreshments and Social

INTERACTIVE & CONCLUDING SESSION

4:10p — Introduction to the Q/A Session — Moderator

4:12p — Open Interfaith Question & Answer Forum
— with all speakers of different faiths and philosophies

5:15p — Vote of Thanks - Recognition of Speakers and Volunteers
— Nabeel A. Rana, WRC Event Coordinator

5:18p — Closing Remarks — Moderator & Conference Chair
— Draw for Speakers order for next conference

5:21p — Silent Multi-Faith Prayer & Reflection

5:22p Dinner and Social

(* The order of presentations was determined via random draw at the last World Religions Conference, held Nov 23, 2025)

 

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As traditional, the World Religions Conference food organizing committee has made arrangements for all guests of the conference to an attractive refreshments and dinner menu at the venue of the conference at the upcoming 44th World Religions Conference for November 22, 2026.

 

Refreshments - 1st Break at @1:15 pm ; 2nd Break at 3:39 pm

Dinner Service @ 5:22 pm

Famous WRC Samosas

 

Assorted Pastries: Cinnamon buns, Danishes, Croissants, Mini Muffins

Dinner Service Menu

Pizza Hut: Vegetarian Pan Pizzas

 

Beverages:

An assortment of Orange Pekoe and Fair Trade Herbal Teas.

Ice Water and Fruit Punch

 

Carafe Fair Trade Coffee

 

Note: Refreshments and dinner provided at no cost by the premier sponsor of the conference.

[Disclaimer: Refreshments and Dinner Menu subject to change by event organizers]

 

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From Battlegrounds to Common Ground

Resolving the Conflicts Before the End

The theme of the 44th World Religions Conference calls upon humanity to move from division and conflict toward dialogue, understanding, and peace. At a time when armed conflicts, hatred, intolerance, and polarization continue to affect communities around the world, there is an urgent need to address the roots of conflict before disagreements become battlegrounds.

Representatives of eight major faith and philosophical traditions will share spiritual teachings, ethical principles, and lived experiences that can help prevent conflict, promote reconciliation, and build lasting peace.

The conference will explore how faith communities can help remove hatred and prejudice, overcome divisions, build trust, and find common ground through respectful dialogue and cooperation.

Ultimately, the theme is a call to action: to replace hatred with understanding, hostility with dialogue, division with cooperation, and conflict with peace—working together to create a more peaceful and harmonious world.

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