The magnificent Kremlin of Kazan (a Unesco World Heritage) with its orthodox church and mosque, a symbol of coexistence among different religions.

Religion promotes peace and harmony. It builds bridges and binds communities. This is what was celebrated yesterday in the Barrie City Hall Rotunda in Canada.

The World Religion Day was organized by the Baha’i Community of Barrie. Thanks to Karen Fox for her dedication and yearlong efforts.

The event’s theme was building harmony and peace in community and speakers came from different faiths and gave view point quoting from their respective book of scripture.

It was amazing to see how various religions speak of common values of equality of human beings, justice for all and human fellowship and lay emphasis on upholding these values to build community in to kinship.

“O mankind, indeed We created you from a male and female, and made you into nations and tribes for you to get to know one another. Indeed, the most honorable of you in the sight of Allah are the most righteous.” (Al Qur’an 49:13)

 

Mr Peter Silveira, the City Councillor opened the session and following representatives from different faiths spoke about their faith:

• Farhan Iqbal from the Ahmadiyya Community of Canada.
• Deacon Ron MacLellan from Catholicism,
• Susan Eagle from Grace United Church
• Neda Seki & Rick Chapman from Baha’i Faith.
• Linda Marek from Baptist Faith,
• Nichiren SGI Canada by Sootara from Buddhism