40th Annual World Religions Conference held in Cambridge
Eight different faith groups gathered Sunday at the Baitul Kareem Mosque in Cambridge for the 40th Annual World Religions Conference.
Combating racism was the main theme among the topics of discussion at Canada’s largest and longest-running multi-faith event, which had a combination of in-person and virtual speakers.
“I think the biggest problem with racism is ignorance, fear and hesitation about the other person,” said Nabil Ahmad Mirza, an Imam for the Ahmadiyya Muslim community “I think it's a good platform where people come together and present their views and education.”
The Cambridge mosque where the event was held was the target of a destructive break and enter in July. Police originally investigated it as a potential hate crime, but it was later determined there was no evidence to support it.
“We even got donations from people we don't even know and all those were donated to local charities because we manage our mosque and our expenses ourselves,” said Mohammed Khokhar of the conference organizing committee.
Even though police say the vandalism doesn't appear to be motivated by racial or religious hatred, those taking part in the conference say events like this are important to help find ways to prevent the racist acts that do happen around the world.
“Faiths and religions are not only relevant, but critical as well to solve this problem going forward,” said Khokhar. “All the faiths respect each other, respect each other's beliefs and also their places of worship.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Maple Leafs fall to Bruins in Game 3, trail series 2-1
Brad Marchand scored twice, including the winner in the third period, and added an assist as the Boston Bruins downed the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-2 to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series Wednesday
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
'It was instant karma': Viral video captures failed theft attempt in Nanaimo, B.C.
Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C., say two late-night revellers are lucky their allegedly drunken antics weren't reported to police after security cameras captured the men trying to steal a heavy sign from a downtown business.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
New Indigenous loan guarantee program a 'really big deal,' Freeland says at Toronto conference
Canada's Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland was among the 1,700 delegates attending the two-day First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC) conference that concluded Tuesday in Toronto.
'Life was not fair to him': Daughter of N.B. man exonerated of murder remembers him as a kind soul
The daughter of a New Brunswick man recently exonerated from murder, is remembering her father as somebody who, despite a wrongful conviction, never became bitter or angry.