A series of Interfaith Symposiums organized by Lajna Imaillah of Alberta Region, Canada

Alberta Region successfully organized interfaith symposiums at three locations: Edmonton, Airdrie and Lloydminster from April 26, 2023- April 30, 2023.

This year’s events were very special because 2023 is the Lajna century celebration year and the symposiums were being held in person after almost three years of COVID restrictions. The topic of the symposium was “Empowerment of Women through their Faith“

The first symposium was held in Edmonton on Wednesday, April 26, 2023 in the gymnasium hall adjacent to the Baitul Hadi Mosque in Edmonton. After recitation a documentary based on the history of Lajna Imaillah was presented. The subsequent program consisted of speeches by various faith speakers and the addresses by local dignitaries.

The first speaker Rev. Karen Bridges presented Christian perspective on Women’s empowerment through their faith.
Reverend Karen Bridges said that there are many different denominations that think of women as unequal. The tradition that I come from, the united church of Canada, I learned from a very young age that there were also women disciples and that men and women were equal. Jesus treated women as people who had much value. After Jesus died it was Mary Magdalen who was one of the first people to find out that Jesus had indeed risen and it was Mary Magdalen who went out to share this news with others. When we began to create the Christian church it was Paul who invited women to share teachings. It was women such as Pricilla and Tabitha who hosted these places.

Somehow this shifted overtime. Christian church became institutionalized somehow Women’s roles became a bit more diminished, the patriarchy and colonization happened.

The second speaker of the evening was Ms. Netta Phillet. She spoke on the topic from a Jewish perspective.

Netta Phillet said:
Our traditions say that the Quran, Torah, Bible is the word of God. On paper and in theory we are equal. Both economic and societal rituals can only be done by Men. All religions justify and interpret God’s words differently, all religions do this, and some of this is due to politics. The interpretation of the first woman as the subject of disobedience and of original sin was the harshest example.

The third speaker of the event was Ms. Savita Patel.

Savita Patel said:

There are 3 powerful women in Hinduism and one is Lakshmi. Children do puja and learn the value of women. In Hinduism there are 4 goddesses and we learn 4 aspects of women from them.

The last speaker of the program was Dr. Amtul Qudoos Farhat, a retired Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, a research writer and a pioneer editor of The Muslim Times; a former National Secretary Ishaat and National Secretary Talim, Lajna Imaillah, Canada and currently serving as the Regional  Vice President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Alberta.Dr Farhat explained how the Quranic teachings gave women a high position as a daughter, wife and mother and gave them all the rights that women of other religions and nations could only obtain in 20^th century and that too after great struggles, movements and campaigns.

In 19^th century, as a result of cultural and religious fusions, the rights of the Muslim women started getting violated. God Almighty sent the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) to eliminate the innovations that has come from the fusion of cultural traditions and the Islamic teachings. The Promised Messiah (as) cleansed Islam of all innovations and revived women’s place  and rights as prescribed by the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet (saw) She presented glimpses of works done by Ahmadiyya Muslim Women Association of Alberta region to support how the empowered women successfully contribute to the communities they live in.

REMARKS OF DIGNITARIES:
The event was attended by a number of dignitaries including:
MLA Jennifer Rice
MLA -Christina Gray
Honorable trustee – Julie Kusiek
Councillor Jo-Anne Wright

MLA Jennifer Rice said:
I thank the Ahmadiyya Muslims association for bringing women together and for creating a safe space where we can all feel a sense of belonging. I am honored to be by so many women. Women can empower women particularly our younger generations. I encourage you to have these important conversations between each other to have a more inclusive society. Thank you for organizing the wonderful and inspiring opportunity. We have an important role to create our communities as accepting and welcoming as we can. Thank you very much.

MLA -Christina Gray said:
Very pleased to be here today. Thank you for the Ahmadiyya Muslim community for hosting the annual symposium and at the same time celebrating 100 years of women’s focused organization. In this upcoming election please think about supporting parties that support women. Without getting political, let’s be women who support women.

Honorable trustee – Julie Kusiek said:
Thank you for inviting here to join this evening. At Edmonton Public schools we see diversity is a strength by exposing one others ideas and perspectives we all become stronger and more resilient. Edmonton Public schools is committed to equity and anti-racism and this is something we share with the Ahmadiyya Muslim women’s association of Edmonton and it’s also a priority in our divisions, as a division we have worked to developed a multi-faith calendar and we encourage schools to use this calendar when they are planning school events so families and students can celebrate their religious days of significance and know that they won’t be missing anything important. It is an important learning journey. Being able to attend events like this brings me such a joy because it not only allows me to connect with others in the community but it allows us to grow as an organization.

Councillor Jo-Anne Wright said:
I do feel the empowerment in this room and I also appreciate the opportunity to be here with all the speakers to learn and understand more is something that helps us all to become better people. I think Faith of any kind helps a person grow and brings people together and hopefully I can use my position to bring that voice forward, we do have our anti-racism strategy. One thing I would also like to mention is that we have the most women on counsel than we have ever had before, I think that’s pretty empowering.

AIRDRIE SYMPOSIUM

The second symposium was held in Airdrie, AB on April 29, 2023. Airdrie is a growing town at a distance of about 360 KM south of Edmonton and close to Calgary, AB. Lajna Immaillah Airdrie organized this commemorative event at the Genesis Centre in Airdrie, AB at 2:00 PM on April 29, 2023.

The first speaker was Ms Jolyn Miller, from the Church of Jesus Christ of latter Day Saint. Ms Miller said that the faith and turning to God is the ultimate source of comfort, joy and satisfaction for women facing trials and troubles.

The next speaker Dr. Harjot Kaur Singh, a Family Physician in Calgary, AB spoke from Sikh perspective. She described how various Gurus after Hazrat Baba Sahib amended the teachings of Sikhism to bring freedom and equality to women in the community.

The next speaker Pamela Lashmore of Metis culture shared empowerment of women through Aboriginal and Metis faith. She explained how the Healing Lodge heals women with challenges and wearing a long skirt heals women by picking up the healing medicine from earth, river forest or from wherever she walks.

The last speaker of the program was Dr. Amtul Qudoos Farhat, who explained the Islamic perspective on empowerment of women.

Remarks of dignitaries:

Councillor Tina Petro who in a very emotional tone shared and related her personal empowerment and progress through her faith.

Councillor Heather Spearman who shared her life experiences with members of various faiths, backgrounds and the commonality of love and kindness which always evolved in to friendship and joy.

1. MLA Angela Pitt said that faith is a powerful tool for women to overcome challenges. She said that our faith empowers us by providing us confidence and a sense of purpose. It helps us to build a just society.
2. Constable Jennifer Weedmark
3. Constable Erika Mcgratton

LLOYDMINSTER SYMPOSIUM
The third symposium was held in Lloydminster, AB on April 30, 2023. Lloydminster located at the junction of Saskatchewan and Alberta provinces, about 300 KM east of Edmonton, AB. Lloydminster is known for its oil production.

MLA Colleen Young addressed the audience as a local dignitary and a dedicated person deeply involved in the activities and programs of local Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. A mother of five, Ms. Young said that she is a woman of faith and begins every day with a prayer seeking empowerment for her works and goals.

The first speaker on “Empowerment of Women through their Faith” was Mrs. Shanon Rokochy from Christian faith and she spoke about the works of the most empowered women in Christianity including Mary Magdalene and Mother Teresa. She also shared her own empowerment journey; that how she was empowered and made to believe through her faith that in-spite of her limitations she is capable of achieving many goals in her life.

The next speaker Chahat Sawara shared the gradual modification and upgrading of Sikh teachings to accommodate rights and empowerment of women.

The next speaker Maxine Desjarlais represented Aboriginal faith. She described how the residential schools took away so many heritage values from innumerable Indigenous children and their families. The trauma was such that many subsequent generations suffered the loss. If there was no faith, families could not have lived on. However faith inspired, motivated and kept all women alive and empowered.

The last speaker of the program was Dr. Amtul Qudoos Farhat, who explained the Islamic perspective on empowerment of women.

At the end of all the three events, Regional President Dr. Fozia Zakaria thanked the guests, speakers and attendees and appreciated all the volunteers for their tireless efforts to organize the event.