Muslim, Christian community join together for one night

Posted on: J A McRae

Shannon LeClair – Times Reporter

Religious leaders are taking part in an inter-faith dialogue Mother’s Day, to help bring a better understanding and show the commonalities between their religions.

Calgary’s Ahmadiyya Muslim community is working together with Strathmore United Church, St. Michael’s and All Angels Anglican Church to host the event.

“Interfaith conversations are important to build relationships, to recognize one another as human beings, to dispel a few myths and perhaps to build relationships,” said Rev. Paula Ashby.

There will be two religious leaders, one Christian and one Muslim and, they will be speaking about the purpose of life as their religion understands it. Each speaker will be given 15 minutes to speak and it will also be a personal reflection from each speaker.

This will be the first time for the event in Strathmore and Rev. Jane Rowland will be speaking on behalf of the Christian side.

“What we will each be doing is speaking about our own faith, so its more an understanding one another than it is a comparison,” said Rowland.
After each guest speaker is finished there will be a 15 minutes question and answer period.

Afterwords, there will be a fellowship with refreshments.

MLA Arno Doerkson and MP Kevin Sorenson have both been invited to attend the event. No response has been given yet from either, Ashby is hoping to receive letters to be read on behalf of the two men.

The Inter Faith dialogue will take place at the Strathmore United Church May 9, and is set to begin at 7 p.m.