Turn out better than expected
Shannon LeClair – Times Reporter
The inter faith dialogue took place on Sunday May 9. It was a meeting between the Christian community and the Ahmadiyya Muslim community from Calgary. The Strathmore United church provided the space for the two religious groups to meet.
Over 100 people attended the event including council members Brad Walls and Lois Wegener.
The Amadiyya community provided the refreshments for the fellowship, which took place after the dialogue.
The event far surpassed the expectations of Rev. Paula Ashby.
“There was a really good cross section of our community,” said Ashby.
Both MP Kevin Sorenson, and MLA Arno Doerkson sent letters on their behalf, which Ashby read aloud to the crowd before beginning the dialogue.
After the letters were read, both Councillor Walls and Wegener stood up and spoke to the crowd.
“There was quite an applause for them,” said Ashby.
After the dialogue Ashby walked around and spoke to the people she didn’t know.
“I was just delighted to see there were people from three other congregations in attendance. There was also a good representation of people who are not affiliated with a congregation.”
Rev. Jane Rowland spoke at the event and found the event was “well supported and thoroughly enjoyed it.”
“I really enjoyed hearing the other perspective. It was a very enlightening experience to share in that process of explaining ones faith,” said Rowland.
“We both believe that the purpose of life is to be following God. I would summarize it as ‘love God, love your neighbour, and they would put it as ‘worship God, and serve your neighbour’.”
“It’s the same thing, but the differences are what makes us Christian or Muslim,” said Rowland.
The feedback was good and there were numerous requests for the United Church to make the dialogue an annual event.
There will be a notice in the church bulletin next month asking members if they would like to see the dialogue hosted again next year.