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
LIVE B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization
The B.C. government is moving to have drug use banned in 'all public spaces,' marking a major shift in the province's approach to decriminalization.
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
U.S. flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Trump's lawyers try to discredit testimony of prosecution's first witness in hush money trial
Donald Trump's defence team attacked the credibility Friday of the prosecution's first witness in his hush money case, seeking to discredit testimony detailing a scheme between Trump and a tabloid to bury negative stories to protect the Republican's 2016 presidential campaign.