That We May Know Each Other: Calgary Interfaith Initiatives

Raza: Why I will always be a merry Muslim

2011-12-23T13:05:00.001-07:00

Raza: Why I will always be a merry Muslim

By Raheel Raza
December 22, 2011
The Calgary Herald

December is a poignant month for us, as this is when my family landed in Canada 22 years ago. Christmas lights and the ambience of the season made our adjustment very cheerful, despite the challenges of the freezing weather and being new settlers.

However, this is not the only reason we hold the Christmas season near and dear to us. Our association with this celebration goes far back into our childhood, when political correctness wasn’t a word we were familiar with.

My husband studied in a boarding school in Pakistan and spent his winter holidays at the home of his best friend, Ahmed. Ahmed’s mother was Christian and celebrated her faith with gusto. On Christmas Eve, she would ask the boys to accompany her to church for midnight mass and Sohail remembers the beauty of the readings, the lilting music of the choir and, of course, the treats.

The next day, there would be visits and the exchange of gifts, and sometimes, a tree, because Christmas trees were hard to find in Rawalpindi. All this happened as naturally as celebrating Muslim festivals in the same house.

Similarly, I grew up in Pakistan studying in convent schools that were administered by Catholic nuns mostly from the United Kingdom. Some of my best friends were Catholics from Goa. Christmas was an exciting time because there were new and different traditions to learn from, different food to taste and gifts to give.

At the time we were growing up in Pakistan (the 1960s and early ’70s), there was no restriction on Christmas celebrations and churches thrived. Being a curious young person, I insisted on going to church with my friends and found the experience of prayer very heartwarming. It helped that we had learned the Lord’s Prayer in school and knew it by heart. I still remember helping my Christian friends make a nativity display and the persona of Mary has always fascinated me, doubly confirmed when I read the chapter on Mary in the Qur’an.

We knew then as we do now, that Jesus is revered as a prophet in the Qur’an and mentioned by name more times than our own Prophet Muhammad. What we have learned since then is that Jesus sets an example that we all need to learn from. We are told stories in the Qur’an of the virgin birth and of the miracles Jesus performed. So if Christmas is celebrated as the birth of this great messenger of God, then it’s incumbent on us to commemorate it as well.

Both my husband and I feel we should utilize these days to study the life of Jesus in more detail as he was a role model for humanity. His humility, compassion and healing are great lessons for us in this time of warfare and violence.

In our early years in Canada, when my sons were small, Christmas was still a celebration and I clearly recall going to their school to join in carol singing. However, it saddens me to see how the sanctity of Christmas has either become too commercialized or sidelined from the faith perspective due to political correctness and not being able to fully call Christmas what it is.

Today, Canada is home to a multitude of faiths making this the most diverse mosaic in the world. But we must be mindful not to put the celebrations of the host community on the back burner so that we can celebrate our own. I find it disturbing that some schools and institutions have taken the “Christ” and the “merry” out of Christmas.

So, I would like to take this opportunity to wish Canadians a very Merry Christmas.

Raheel Raza is a Toronto-based author and public speaker.
© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

Source

Upcoming Inter-Faith Network of Calgary meeting at Deer Park United Church

2011-12-06T14:44:00.000-07:00

The next meeting of the Inter-Faith Network of Calgary (IFNC) will be hosted by Deer Park United Church, 77 Deerpoint Rd SE on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 at 7 pm.

Our theme for this year is: 'Artistic Expressions of Our Faiths'

Our program for the evening: "Singing Our Story – A Journey Through the Christian Year”

IFNC is an informal and grassroots group of Calgarians, belonging to several faith traditions, who have come together to promote goodwill and mutual understanding.

We believe that this objective is best achieved by interaction and dialogue among the followers of different faiths. This belief is based on our conviction that while the general tendency is to highlight the differences among different faiths, a deeper study would reveal that we have more in common than is generally believed.

We hope that through these gatherings, we will encourage mutual respect and peace in our community.

We meet once a month to discuss questions related to our personal spirituality and religious practice.

The venues of the gatherings rotate among the places of worship.

Upcoming Inter-Faith Network of Calgary meeting at Beth Tzedec Syngagogue

2011-11-24T11:02:00.003-07:00

The next meeting of the Inter-Faith Network of Calgary (IFNC) will be hosted by Beth Tzedec Syngagogue, 1325 Glenmore Trail SW on Sunday, November 27, 2011 at 3:40 pm.

Our theme for this year is: 'Artistic Expressions of Our Faiths'

We will be a viewing and discussion of the movie DAVID: One boy, two faiths

Synopsis: As the son of the Imam of the local Brooklyn mosque, eleven year-old Daud has to juggle the high expectations of his Father (Maz Jobrani) and his feelings of isolation and difference– even from his peers in the Muslim community. Through an innocent act of good faith, Daud inadvertently befriends a group of Jewish boys who mistake him as a fellow classmate at their orthodox school, in the neighboring Jewish community. A genuine friendship grows between Daud and Yoav, one of the Jewish boys, and his family. Unable to resist the joy of a camaraderie that he has never felt before, David, as he is known to the kids, is drawn into a complicated dilemma inspired by youthful deceit and the best of intentions.

The movie is 80 min long and will be followed by refreshments and discussion.

Time: 3:40pm - 5:45pm (approx)

Cost: $6 individual ticket available at the door,
or a Calgary Jewish Film Festival Pass

IFNC is an informal and grassroots group of Calgarians, belonging to several faith traditions, who have come together to promote goodwill and mutual understanding.

We believe that this objective is best achieved by interaction and dialogue among the followers of different faiths. This belief is based on our conviction that while the general tendency is to highlight the differences among different faiths, a deeper study would reveal that we have more in common than is generally believed.

We hope that through these gatherings, we will encourage mutual respect and peace in our community.

We meet once a month to discuss questions related to our personal spirituality and religious practice.

The venues of the gatherings rotate among the places of worship.

Calgary Muslim and Jewish scholars to hold dialogue

2011-10-16T12:58:00.002-06:00

Muslim and Jewish scholars to hold dialogue
Meeting believed to be first of its kind in Calgary
By Mario Toneguzzi
Calgary Herald
October 15, 2011

Rabbis and Islamic scholars in Calgary are meeting to discuss their views on the meaning and relevance of their religion's holiest scriptures.

They will be presenting their views on their holy books and what makes them holy and what the holy books say about peace and interfaith relations.

The Word of God for Divine Guidance will be held Wednesday, Oct. 26, at 6: 30 p.m. at the Beth Tzedec Congregation, 1325 Glenmore Tr. S.W., and is free and open to the public.

Rabbi Shaul Osadchey, of the Beth Tzedec Congregation, said the idea came following an Ahmadiyya conference last spring of Christian, Jewish and Muslim scholars.

He extended an invitation to have the next conference at his synagogue.

"It will be the first such conference at a Jewish house of worship and is intended to draw a large number of Jews and Muslims into a constructive dialogue about their respective traditions," he says.

The topic of the conference will explore questions about the nature of the sacred texts of the two religions - the Torah and the Qur'an.

Osadchey and Rabbi Howard Voss-Altman of Temple B'nai Tikvah will discuss this topic with Islamic scholars Maulana Mahmood Butt and Mualana Mukhtar Cheema.

There will also be time for questions following the panel presentation.

Conference organizers Mohammed Atif and Osadchey say this is a step forward in Jewish-Muslim relations by noting "that education and dialogue offer the best opportunities for Jews and Muslims to better understand each other and to eliminate myths and stereotypes."

For further information and registration, visit www.islamevents.ca/ calgary or contact info.calgary@ ahmadiyya.ca or info@bethtzedec.ca.

"The intensity of the conflict in the Middle East emanates from a variety of complex historical, political, economic, social and religious factors," says Osadchey. "The heat from that strife fans out globally until the embers land in local communities. However, Jewish and Muslim communities in Calgary, for example, lead lives in which the political and economic issues in the Middle East are not directly pertinent to their daily lives. Only the social and religious aspects remain as potential obstacles for interfaith co-operation.

"The goal of the Ahmadiyya-Jewish conference is to douse stereotypes and misinformation about our respective religions to find common ground to forge a peaceful relationship. In turn, the local level can serve too as a type of interfaith model that can be emulated in the Middle East.

"To date, I am unaware that such a Muslim-Jewish dialogue in Calgary has taken place, let alone in a synagogue. Members of the host congregation Beth Tzedec and members of B'nai Tikvah will have the opportunity to welcome Muslims into a Jewish institution and within the comfort of their sacred space hear about the values and teachings of Muslims. The Ahmadiyya Muslim community will similarly be exposed to a Jewish house of worship and to thereby demythologize their perceptions."

A special tour of the synagogue is planned by Osadchey for the Muslim guests. A followup conference is being planned at the Ahmadiyya mosque to bring the Jewish community into their Muslim holy space.

mtoneguzzi@calgaryherald.com

© Copyright (c) The Calgary Herald

Source

Upcoming Inter-Faith Network of Calgary meeting at Calgary Buddhist Temple

2011-09-29T16:57:00.002-06:00

The next meeting of the Inter-Faith Network of Calgary (IFNC) will be hosted by Calgary Buddhist Temple, 207 6th St. NE on Thursday, October 6, 2011 at 7:30 pm.

Our theme for this year is: 'Artistic Expressions of Our Faiths'

IFNC is an informal and grassroots group of Calgarians, belonging to several faith traditions, who have come together to promote goodwill and mutual understanding.

We believe that this objective is best achieved by interaction and dialogue among the followers of different faiths. This belief is based on our conviction that while the general tendency is to highlight the differences among different faiths, a deeper study would reveal that we have more in common than is generally believed.

We hope that through these gatherings, we will encourage mutual respect and peace in our community.

We meet once a month to discuss questions related to our personal spirituality and religious practice.

The venues of the gatherings rotate among the places of worship.

International Day of Peace Celebration - September 21, 2011

2011-09-16T12:18:00.008-06:00

Peace in our Communities
International Day of Peace Celebration
Wednesday September 21, 2011
Noon - 1:00 pm

Calgary Community Peace Pole

Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Arthur Clark
Professor - Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary
Founder - Calgary Centre for Global Community

For further information:
http://www.calgarypeacepole.org/
403-270-7366

Upcoming Inter-Faith Network of Calgary meeting at Deerpark United Church

2011-04-18T10:45:00.006-06:00

The next meeting of the Inter-Faith Network of Calgary (IFNC) will be hosted by Deerpark United Church, 77 Deerpoint Road SE on Sunday, April 24, 2011 from 10 am to 12 Noon (Easter Sunday worship).

Our theme for this year is: 'The Ways We Worship'

IFNC is an informal and grassroots group of Calgarians, belonging to several faith traditions, who have come together to promote goodwill and mutual understanding.

We believe that this objective is best achieved by interaction and dialogue among the followers of different faiths. This belief is based on our conviction that while the general tendency is to highlight the differences among different faiths, a deeper study would reveal that we have more in common than is generally believed.

We hope that through these gatherings, we will encourage mutual respect and peace in our community.

We meet once a month to discuss questions related to our personal spirituality and religious practice.

The venues of the gatherings rotate among the places of worship.

The Canadian Council of Christians and Jews - Annual Spring Breakfast Dialogue

2011-04-16T09:12:00.003-06:00

The Canadian Council of Christians and Jews – Alberta Region
Invites Clergy, Lay leaders and the Public to attend their

Annual Spring Breakfast Dialogue

“A Pedagogy of the Spirit:Talking about God and Religion in a Secular Age”

Presenter:

Dr. Ron Glasberg
University of Calgary,
Faculty of Communication and Culture

Thursday, June 2nd, 2011
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Calgary Jewish Centre
1607 – 90th Avenue S.W., Calgary

Tickets: $15.00
Students: $10.00
Breakfast included

Dr. Ron Glasberg: His General Studies 300 and 500 lectures (key ideas of Western Civilization) are legendary among students and alumni of the Faculty of Communication and Culture. He has received a near record thirteen Student's Union Teaching Excellence Awards and the President's Circle Award for Teaching Excellence. Ron Glasberg's memorable lectures, his contagious passion for intellectual discovery, his tribal classroom, his methods of inspiring students and his impressive list of awards and accolades made him the University of Calgary Senate's choice for recipient of the 2009 Lecture of a Lifetime. Viewing history as a movement toward “enlightened consciousness,” Dr. Glasberg’s presentation on June 2nd will focus on the challenge of conveying the reality of the spirit to those who are hostile to the very idea, or simply lacking the tools to experience or make sense of spirit, faith and religion. Come to dialogue with one of Canada’s most popular professors, as Dr. Glasberg shares what he has learned about conveying ideas of the spirit during his distinguished teaching career.

Upcoming Inter-Faith Network of Calgary meeting at the Hindu Mandir

2011-03-02T18:00:00.003-07:00

The next meeting of the Inter-Faith Network of Calgary (IFNC) will be hosted by the Calgary Hindu Mandir, 2225 24th Ave. NE on Sunday, March 6, 2011 from Noon to 2pm.

Our theme for this year is: 'The Ways We Worship'

IFNC is an informal and grassroots group of Calgarians, belonging to several faith traditions, who have come together to promote goodwill and mutual understanding.

We believe that this objective is best achieved by interaction and dialogue among the followers of different faiths. This belief is based on our conviction that while the general tendency is to highlight the differences among different faiths, a deeper study would reveal that we have more in common than is generally believed.

We hope that through these gatherings, we will encourage mutual respect and peace in our community.

We meet once a month to discuss questions related to our personal spirituality and religious practice.

The venues of the gatherings rotate among the places of worship.

Upcoming Inter-Faith Network of Calgary meeting at the Sikh Gurdwara

2011-02-14T14:46:00.004-07:00

The next meeting of the Inter-Faith Network of Calgary (IFNC) will be hosted by the Sikh Gurdwara, Old Banff Coach Rd.& 81 St. SW on Sunday, February 20 2011 from 12 noon to 2pm

Our theme for this year is: 'The Ways We Worship'

IFNC is an informal and grassroots group of Calgarians, belonging to several faith traditions, who have come together to promote goodwill and mutual understanding.

We believe that this objective is best achieved by interaction and dialogue among the followers of different faiths. This belief is based on our conviction that while the general tendency is to highlight the differences among different faiths, a deeper study would reveal that we have more in common than is generally believed.

We hope that through these gatherings, we will encourage mutual respect and peace in our community.

We meet once a month to discuss questions related to our personal spirituality and religious practice.

The venues of the gatherings rotate among the places of worship.

Interfaith Alliance - working together for the common good

2011-01-27T22:25:00.003-07:00

We are writing to invite you to join a group of faith leaders who will be gathering at St. Laurence Anglican Church (5940 Lakeview Dr. SW) on Monday, February 14 from 9:30 - 11:30 am. Our guests speakers will be Walter Hossli, the Executive Director of Momentum www.momentum.org, and Andrea Macedo of Aspen Family Services www.aspenfamily.org.

We gather as people of faith interested in collaborating around social issues and seeking new ways to invole our religious communities in social change. We have no particular agenda but want to start the convesation by hearing from these two leaders of prominent non-profits here in about how they believe the faith community could contribute. After we hear from them we'll have sometime to talk together about where we might go from here.

Yours faithfully,

The Rev Anna Greenwood-Lee,
Pastor Ryan Anderson
Rabbi Howard Vos-Altman

Upcoming Inter-Faith Network of Calgary meeting at the Al Madinah Islamic Centre

2011-01-12T16:23:00.002-07:00

The next meeting of the Inter-Faith Network of Calgary (IFNC) will be hosted by the Al Madinah Islamic Centre, 5700 Falsbridge Dr NE. on Friday, January 21 at 6:45pm.

Our theme for this year is: 'The Ways We Worship'

IFNC is an informal and grassroots group of Calgarians, belonging to several faith traditions, who have come together to promote goodwill and mutual understanding.

We believe that this objective is best achieved by interaction and dialogue among the followers of different faiths. This belief is based on our conviction that while the general tendency is to highlight the differences among different faiths, a deeper study would reveal that we have more in common than is generally believed.

We hope that through these gatherings, we will encourage mutual respect and peace in our community.

We meet once a month to discuss questions related to our personal spirituality and religious practice.

The venues of the gatherings rotate among the places of worship.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-25T10:26:00.001-07:00

Behold! the angels said:

"O Mary! God giveth thee
Glad tidings of a Word
From Him: his name
Will be Christ Jesus,
The son of Mary, held in honour
In this world and the Hereafter
And of (the company of) those
Nearest to God."
Quran 3:45

Upcoming Inter-Faith Network of Calgary meeting at the Beth Tzedec Synagogue

2010-12-08T17:10:00.005-07:00

The next meeting of the Inter-Faith Network of Calgary (IFNC) will be hosted by the Beth Tzedec Synagogue, 1325 Glenmore Tr. SW on Sunday, December 11, 2010 from 10:30 am - 12:30 pm.

Our theme for this year is: 'The Ways We Worship'

IFNC is an informal and grassroots group of Calgarians, belonging to several faith traditions, who have come together to promote goodwill and mutual understanding.

We believe that this objective is best achieved by interaction and dialogue among the followers of different faiths. This belief is based on our conviction that while the general tendency is to highlight the differences among different faiths, a deeper study would reveal that we have more in common than is generally believed.

We hope that through these gatherings, we will encourage mutual respect and peace in our community.

We meet once a month to discuss questions related to our personal spirituality and religious practice.

The venues of the gatherings rotate among the places of worship.

Calgary's Jewish, Christian and Muslim Communities Commemorate Eid-ul-Adha

2010-11-28T15:20:00.005-07:00

On Monday, November 22, 2010, Calgary's Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities came together at City Hall to commemorate Eid-ul-Adha with Mayor Naheed Nenshi and other municipal leaders. The event was hosted by the Shia Ismaili Muslim Community of Calgary.

One of the major Muslim festivals, Eid-ul-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) commemorates the willingness of Abraham, the Father of the three monotheistic faiths, to sacrifice his son upon God’s command. The story of Abraham is about entrusting oneself in loving obedience to God. It reminds us of the principles that Abraham represented: truth, morality and respect for all God’s creation.

The divine spark that bestows individuality also binds individuals to a common humanity. Humankind, says the Qur’an, has been created from a single soul, as male and female, communities and nations, so that people may know one another (49:13). It invites people of all faiths to a common platform, to vie for goodness.

This year’s event celebrated the shared values of compassion and care. We all came together and celebrated our common Abrahamic, monotheistic tradition and ethical principles founded on shared human values.

Mohamud Zaver, president of the Ismaili Muslim Council for the Prairies, gave the welcome address.

The keynote speaker, Reverend David Pollard from Airdrie United Church, talked about "The Dialogical Imperative: the need for intentioned interfaith conversation in a changing Calgary.”

Oren Z. Steinitz, the Jewish Chaplain at University of Calgary led the prayer.

Mario Toneguzzi from the Calgary Herald wrote an article on the event. It can be found here.

Upcoming Inter-Faith Network of Calgary meeting at the Calgary Buddhist Centre

2010-10-21T17:44:00.005-06:00

The next meeting of the Inter-Faith Network of Calgary (IFNC) will be hosted by the Calgary Buddhist Centre, 207 6th St. NE on Sunday, November 21, 2010.

Our theme for this year is: 'The Ways We Worship'

IFNC is an informal and grassroots group of Calgarians, belonging to several faith traditions, who have come together to promote goodwill and mutual understanding.

We believe that this objective is best achieved by interaction and dialogue among the followers of different faiths. This belief is based on our conviction that while the general tendency is to highlight the differences among different faiths, a deeper study would reveal that we have more in common than is generally believed.

We hope that through these gatherings, we will encourage mutual respect and peace in our community.

We meet once a month to discuss questions related to our personal spirituality and religious practice.

The venues of the gatherings rotate among the places of worship.

The Canadian Council of Christians and Jews - Alberta Region - Annual Fall Dialogue

2010-10-21T17:28:00.007-06:00

The Canadian Council of Christians and Jews – Alberta Region

Annual Fall Dialogue

Indifference to Prejudice:
Can one be an “innocent bystander”?

A viewing of the film:
Wrong Side Of The Bus*

Commentary and Discussion led by:
Rabbi Shaul Osadchey
Spiritual Leader, Beth Tzedec Synagogue, Calgary

Sunday, November 7th, 2010
3:30 to 6:00 p.m.
Beth Tzedec Synagogue
1325 Glenmore Trail SW, Calgary

Tickets:
$15 (includes film & discussion)
$5 (for Jewish Film Festival Passholders)
Refreshments included

Reservations: Marcia 403-252-2161; Joan 403-253-5564

*Wrong Side of the Bus is about Sidney Bloch, a professor of psychiatry, who returns to South Africa from Melbourne for his medical school reunion, determined to resolve his guilt about not opposing the Apartheid system in which he once lived.

*Film Screening courtesy of Beth Tzedec Jewish Film Festival

Calgary`s “Hope in the Cities” Campaign

2010-09-24T16:11:00.009-06:00

Join us for a
Continental Breakfast and Fundraiser
to Launch

Calgary`s “Hope in the Cities” Campaign

Keynote Speaker: Rob Corcoran - International speaker on honest conversations and trustbuilding between ethnic, racial and religious groups, and building peace across the world’s divides.

BREAKFAST:
Saturday, October 16, 2010
9:30 a.m. - Noon
Kahanoff Centre
Room 201, 1202 Centre Street S.E.
Calgary, Alberta
Cost: $15.00/person (advance purchase)
(food by Ethnicity)

Rob is also offering the following workshop:

Trustbuilding Training Workshop
1:00 – 4:30 p.m.
Kahanoff Centre
Room 201, 1202 Centre Street S.E.
Calgary, Alberta
Cost: $50.00/person (lunch included @ 12:00 Noon)
(advance purchase only)
Save! to attend both the morning fundraiser and the afternoon Trustbuilding Workshop, the special price will be $55.00 total.

Limited seating, so we ask that you please RSVP
by Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Rob Corcoran has facilitated dialogue,reconciliation and partnerships among diverse and polarized racial, ethnic, and religious groups in an array of locales in Europe, South Africa, India, Australia and the United States.

Rob is the U.S. national director of Initiatives of Change and founder of Hope in the Cities, which models honest conversation and sustained partnerships across traditional boundaries. He has lived with his family in Richmond, VA for 30 years.

He has a new book “Trust- building: An Honest Conversation on Race, Reconciliation, and Responsibility”.

For tickets:
E-mail: iofc.calgary@ca.iofc.org
Phone: (403) 270-0975

Multi-Faith Walk to End Family Violence

2010-09-19T16:33:00.004-06:00

Step together. Stop abuse.

Sunday, September 26th, 2010
1:00 pm
Eau Claire Market
Calgary, Alberta

The Multi-Faith Walk to End Family Violence calls attention to the valuable and powerful role that people of faith have in ending violence in our families. Family violence knows no boundaries – it happens in all religious, social, cultural, economic and age groups.

By walking and talking together in the Multi-Faith Walk, individuals, families and faith communities declare their united commitment to ending violence and abuse in families. We invite members of all faith groups and persuasions to participate.

For more information, please contact:
Alexandra Sears,
Community Development Coordinator, FaithLink
P: 403.283.3013 ext. 241
E: asears@endviolence.ca

The Canadian Council of Christians and Jews - Annual Spring Breakfast Dialogue

2010-05-13T16:24:00.003-06:00

The Canadian Council of Christians and Jews – Alberta Region
Invites Clergy, Lay leaders and the Public to attend their

Annual Spring Breakfast Dialogue

"When What Divides Us IS Greater Than What Unites Us”:

NEGOTIATING THE JEWISH-CHRISTIAN DIVIDE

Presenters:

Rabbi Yisroel Miller
House of Jacob-Mikveh Israel

Dr. Michael Duggan
St. Mary’s University College

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010
8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Calgary Jewish Centre
1607 – 90th Avenue S.W., Calgary

Tickets: $15.00
Students: $10.00
Breakfast included

Muslim Art Movement II

2010-04-19T21:00:00.005-06:00

The Western Muslim Initiative is presenting their signature event: "Muslim Art Movement II." This signature event follows the success of Muslim Art Movement I and the recent presentation of Tariq Ramadan at the University of Calgary – a Calgary first.

The Muslim Art Movement II aims to build, sustain and foster a unique display of indigenous Muslim culture. The show will host a wide array of performances and presentation formats (art, music, spoken word, and much more). Notable performers to be featured in the event include: award winning Canadian spoken word artist Boonaa Mohammed, dubbed by some as the “voice of a generation”, as well as renowned tabla-player Zaheer Abbas Janmohammed, recipient of the Shastri Arts Fellowship.

When: Sunday May 16th 2010 at 6:30 pm
Where: Uptown Stage & Theatre, Marquee Room, 612 8th Ave SW
Tickets: $15

To Purchase Tickets visit www.thewesternmuslim.com

Upcoming Inter-Faith Network of Calgary meeting at the Hindu Mandir

2010-04-11T09:30:00.001-06:00

The next meeting of the Inter-Faith Network of Calgary (IFNC) will be hosted by Hindu Society of Calgary at the Hindu Mandir (2225 24th Ave. NE.) on Thursday, April 15th at 7:30pm

Our theme for this year is: 'How is your faith tradition responding to the challenges of life in 21st century Calgary?'

Ms. Usha Sharma will be speaking on the topic: Care for Seniors

IFNC is an informal and grassroots group of Calgarians, belonging to several faith traditions, who have come together to promote goodwill and mutual understanding.

We believe that this objective is best achieved by interaction and dialogue among the followers of different faiths. This belief is based on our conviction that while the general tendency is to highlight the differences among different faiths, a deeper study would reveal that we have more in common than is generally believed.

We hope that through these gatherings, we will encourage mutual respect and peace in our community.

We meet once a month to discuss questions related to our personal spirituality and religious practice.

The venues of the gatherings rotate among the places of worship.

Spirituality and Politics

2010-03-24T18:15:00.004-06:00

On March 23, 2010 I was invited to a lunch and learn session on Spirituality and Politics organized by Spiritual Directions. I was honoured to be there along with leaders of various faith communities and representatives of voluntary civic and social organizations and institutions.

The guest speaker for this session was Preston Manning who spoke about his experience and perspective. He addressed the following: “What questions does spirituality raise in the political field? What challenges does it offer? If spirituality is truly about being passionate about life, holding values that guide our actions and building a community that promotes the welfare of all people, how do we get people inspired again about the power of politics to change the world for the better?”

The intention for these lunch and learn opportunities is to provide a time to discuss the possibilities and scope of change, define actions that will encourage positive change and hopefully people with a spiritual perspective can have a positive influence on the way our society will evolve.

Spiritual Directions is an inter-spiritual centre committed to:

Values that affirm life and uphold human dignity
Actions that build community
Teaching spiritual practices that lead to transformation in the structures of our society
Providing healing and training for inter-personal success in family or business context

Appropriate place of religion in the public square subject of evening debate

2010-03-23T14:40:00.002-06:00

Should a Muslim woman in Quebec be allowed to wear her niqab during a publicly-funded language course? Questions about Religion and the Public Square, including how to live out one’s religious commitments in public life, will be debated at a March 23 event sponsored by the Sheldon Chumir Foundation for Ethics in Leadership.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 23, 6:00 – 9:00 pm
WHERE: MacEwan Centre, Cassio Room A + B, University of Calgary

Speakers will address:

• Pluralism and the place of religion in the public square
• The meaning of “secularism”
• Freedom of religion in Canada: Charter protection of religion from government interference
• Balancing citizens’ obligations to their faith and public life

Speakers:

• Karim Dharamsi, General Studies, Mount Royal University
• Wayne McCready, Religious Studies, University of Calgary
• Jonnette Watson-Hamilton, Faculty of Law, University of Calgary
• Wayne Stewart, Nonprofit Executive in Residence, Institute for Nonprofit Studies, Mount Royal University

The event is FREE and open to the public. A reception will follow the speaker presentations and audience discussion.

Co-sponsors include the University of Calgary chapters of Campus for Christ, The Western Muslim and The Freethinkers.

A Public Service Of Holocaust Remembrance - April 12, 2010

2010-03-09T18:32:00.007-07:00

A time of

Reflection & Music

Guest Speaker:
Holocaust Survior and Historian
Elly Gotz

Monday, April 12, 2010 at 7:30 p.m.
Reception & Refreshments following

Scarboro United Church
134 Scarboro Ave SW, Calgary

Sponsored by the Canadian Council of Christians and Jews, Alberta Region
and Scarboro United Church