37th World Religions Conference - My Faith and Canadian Values              

Successfully held on Saturday, November 4, 2017, Humanities Theatre, University of Waterloo, Ontario

• Moderator (37th WRC)
• Message from Dignitaries (37th WRC)
• Press Release - (37th WRC)
• Electronic Poster (37th WRC)
• Program (37th WRC)
• Speaker Profiles (37th WRC)
• National Anthem - (37th WRC)
• Pictures from 37th World Religions Conference

Canada is recognized globally for its values such as openness, diversity, compassion, equality and justice. As we celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary we explored how Canadian values relate to the teachings of different faiths and philosophies. Scholars deliberated on how their respective faith or philosophy promotes and shapes values that Canada stands for.

Singing of O'Canada : National Anthem of Canada

at the 37th World Religions Conference: Canada 150 Special Event

Grand Philharmonic Children's Choir of Kitchener

The Grand Philharmonic Children’s Choir (GPCC) provides an opportunity for children to learn a variety of types of music from classical to folk to modern, and music that is representative of many countries and cultures. The children receive training in music literacy, voice production, vocal and choral techniques, and personal development.  The choir is known for its excellence in tone and musicianship. Many singers remain with the choir throughout their school years and are consistently motivated and inspired by the variety and quality of opportunities provided.

The GPCC was founded in 1987 to provide an opportunity for young children ages 7-14 to love and appreciate choral music. The children’s choir is divided into two sections: Viva for our youngest singers, ages 7-9; and, Voce for singers ages 10-14 (end of Grade 8). 

The choir holds its own concert series and regularly performs with the Grand Philharmonic Choir. The choir has also performed with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, the K-W Chamber Orchestra, Canadian tenor John McDermott, Pink Floyd, Kenny Rogers, K’naan and has performed for radio and television audiences. In the past, the choir has toured in Ontario, Massachusetts, Ohio, Michigan, Washington D.C., Florida, and has sung at the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. 

The choir has competed at the Ontario Vocal Festival and the Kitchener-Waterloo Kiwanis Music Festival and was recommended to the National Music Festival where they received a silver. They have participated in the Queen City Children’s Music Festival in Cincinnati. The GPCC’s second CD was produced in 2013 with their own original composition, penned with Jim Papoulis, as the title track, I Will Find an Answer. The GPCC collaborated with the GPC Youth Choir in 2016 to produce A GRAND Christmas CD.

We are pleased to learn that the group has graciously agreed to perform O'Canada at the Canada 150 special World Religions Conference on Nov 4, 2017.

Following is a line up distinguished speakers and scholars chosen to represent different faiths & philosophies at the upcoming 37th World Religions Conference on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at the Humanities Theatre, University of Waterloo. The theme for this year's event is "My Faith & Canadian Values".

	Presided and Moderated by Councillor Melissa Durrell – Waterloo Councillor of the City of Waterloo and a brilliant event moderator. An award-winning TV anchor. Runs her own communications company. A strong believer in good communication, economic development and fiscal responsibility.  Passionate about helping people and giving them a platform to communicate their concerns. Melissa wants to make Waterloo one of the most livable cities in the world and is working hard to make that happen.
	Representing Indigenous Spirituality Amy Smoke – Waterloo Phenomenal Mohawk member of the Turtle clan from the Six Nations of The Grand River. A mother, daughter, mature student, public speaker and active First Nations member. Speaks of her own journey with substance abuse, homelessness, incarceration, and domestic violence. Recipient of "Leading Women Building Communities" award through MPP Fife’s office. Continues to advocate for First Nations students while serving as the event coordinator at the Waterloo Aboriginal Education Center at UW.
	Representing Humanism Doug Thomas – Elmira An extensive writer, Doug is a life-long agnostic and an active secular humanist. As President of The Society of Ontario Freethinkers, and of Secular Connexion Séculière, he advocates consistently for humanist rights and separation of church and state. Doug also advocates for the inclusion and equitable treatment of atheist students in public schools. In 2013, he was nominated, for the J.S. Woodsworth Award for Human Rights and Equity.
	Representing Christianity Reverend Andrew J. Asbil - Toronto Awe-inspiring and a passionate story teller, Rev Asbil is an Ordained Anglican Priest serving as the incumbent of Church of the Redeemer in Toronto. Master of Divinity degree from University of Western Ontario. Formerly, served as parish prienst in Guelph, Acton and Oakville. Served on numerous community and Diocesan boards in both Niagara and Toronto. Considerable experience as a keynote speaker and workshop leader for Church and community conferences.
	Representing Sikh Faith Dr. Jaspreet Kaur Bal - Toronto Professor in the Child and Youth Care program at Humber College in Toronto. She holds a PhD in Cultural Studies from Queen’s University, where her research focused on children’s rights and education. She is a practitioner of Sikhi. As a part of her practice she is a musician, a speaker at Sikh retreats, a community organizer and serves on the Board of Directors of the Sikh Feminist Research Institute and Kaurs United International.
	Representing Judaism Dr. Daniel Maoz - Cambridge Engaging speaker and Jewish scholar. Daniel is member of both Orthodox and Reform Jewish communities in Kitchener-Waterloo. Professor of Hebrew Scriptures and Scholar-in-Residence at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo and a Research Associate for Concordia University, Montreal. Holds a Ph.D. from France and M.A. in History. Strong supporter of Interfaith dialogue. Widely published and internationally presents his research in Jewish Studies.
	Representing Hinduism Swami Chidghan-anand – Orlando Florida USA Highly accomplished yogi, Swami Chidgan-anand is affiliated with the International Brahm Rishi Mission (IBM) since 1980 and with Canada Kitchener branch since 1997. Currently the Head and Spiritual Leader for Shri Shiv Dham Hindu Temple and Yoga Ashram, Orlando Florida. Formerly served as preacher at the Brahmrishi Mission of Canada and Holland. Extensively studied main Hindu scriptures such as Veda, Upanishads , Ramayana, Bhagwat Gita, Purina’s and yoga philosophy.
	Representing Islam Imam Imtiaz Ahmed – Toronto Engaging and influential speaker and writer. Imtiaz is the Imam of Bai’tul Islam, one of the largest Mosques in Canada. Graduated in Islamic Theology and Comparative Religions (2010) in Canada. Served as a Missionary in Ghana, Africa and Ottawa, Canada. Working persistently to bridge relations at Interfaith events and appearing in media interviews. Named as the 25 most influential young Canadians by the Power and Influence Magazine.

For Immediate Release: Press and Media

My Faith and Canadian Values

37th World Religions Conference : Canada 150 Special Event

November 4, 2017 - Waterloo, Ontario

Scholars of 7 faiths and philosophies and nearly 800 delegates including officialdoms from academia, local, provincial and national governments as well as associates of various faith organizations are expected to flock to the Humanities Theatre, University of Waterloo for Canada’s Largest Multi-Faith event – the 37th World Religions Conference (WRC), taking place on Saturday, November 4, 2017 from 10:30 am to 3:45 pm.

Canada is recognized globally for its values such as openness, diversity, compassion, equality and justice. As we celebrate Canada’s 150^th anniversary let us explore how Canadian values relate to the teachings of different faiths and philosophies. Scholars will deliberate on how their respective faith or philosophy can promote and shape values that Canada stands for.

Event Coordinator Nabeel Rana is pleased to organize this year’s conference, as it is a special event and a celebration of Canada 150. He hopes that such mutual exploration will encourage better understanding and promote a harmonious co-existence among the members of Canada's diverse religious and cultural mosaic.

Buoyed by contributions from the many faith communities that thrive in our country, WRC has enriched our society by promoting peace, understanding, and tolerance in Canada for 37 years and has become an enduring tradition in the region.

The event will be moderated by the City of Waterloo’s Councillor Melissa Durrell, whereas eminent scholars representing Indigenous, Humanism (Atheists and Agnostics), Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism and Hinduism will speak at the conference. Following is a brief description of the moderator and speakers lineup from different faith and philosophical traditions:

Presided and Moderated by

Councillor Melissa Durrell – Waterloo

Councillor of the City of Waterloo and a brilliant event moderator. An award-winning TV anchor. Runs her own communications company. A strong believer in good communication, economic development and fiscal responsibility. 

Representing Indigenous Spirituality

Amy Smoke – Waterloo

Phenomenal Mohawk member of the Turtle clan from the Six Nations of The Grand River. A mother, daughter, mature student, public speaker and active First Nations member. Speaks of her own journey with substance abuse, homelessness, incarceration, and domestic violence.

Representing Humanism

Doug Thomas – Elmira

An extensive writer, Doug is a life-long agnostic and an active secular humanist. As President of The Society of Ontario Freethinkers, and of Secular Connexion Séculière, he advocates consistently for humanist rights and separation of church and state.

Representing Christianity

Reverend Andrew J. Asbil - Toronto

Awe-inspiring and a passionate story teller, Rev Asbil is an Ordained Anglican Priest serving as the incumbent of Church of the Redeemer in Toronto. Considerable experience as a keynote speaker and workshop leader for Church and community conferences.

Representing Sikh Faith

Dr. Jaspreet Kaur Bal - Toronto

Professor in the Child and Youth Care program at Humber College in Toronto. As a part of her practice she is a musician, a speaker at Sikh retreats, a community organizer and serves on the Board of Directors of the Sikh Feminist Research Institute and Kaurs United International.

Representing Judaism

Dr. Daniel Maoz - Cambridge

Engaging speaker and Jewish scholar. Daniel is member of both Orthodox and Reform Jewish communities in Kitchener-Waterloo. Professor of Hebrew Scriptures. Strong supporter of Interfaith dialogue. Presents his research in Jewish Studies.

Representing Hinduism

Swami Chidghan-anand – Orlando Florida USA

Highly accomplished yogi, Swami Chidgan-anand is affiliated with the International Brahm Rishi Mission. Spiritual Leader for Shri Shiv Dham Hindu Temple and Yoga Ashram, Orlando Florida. Extensively studied main Hindu scriptures and yoga philosophy.

Representing Islam

Imam Imtiaz Ahmed – Toronto

Engaging and influential speaker and writer. Imtiaz is the Imam of Bai’tul Islam, one of the largest Mosques in Canada. Served as a Missionary in Ghana, Africa and Ottawa, Canada. Named as the 25 most influential young Canadians by the Power and Influence Magazine.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at of Canada is the Premier sponsor and organizer of the conference with an extensive network of partnership that includes the cities of Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge as well as over numerous other faith based and community organizations from the entire region, and several media outlets of the area.

Numerous faith Groups will setup displays and participate in religious scripture recitation presentations. Admission for the general public to the event is free, which includes parking, refreshments and lunch, however seating is limited. The entire conference will also be streamed live at the conference website. Please visit www.worldreligionsconference.org to register for the event and to find more information.

For more information on this release or to schedule an interview please contact Nabeel Rana at 519-722-0841 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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About World Religions Conference

The World Religions Conference (WRC), Canada’s largest Multi-faith event has been bringing different religious and ethnic communities together in a manner which breeds tolerance, peace, cooperation, and understanding. The event aims to explore the teachings and practices of different religious and philosophical traditions, with the hope that such mutual exploration will encourage better understanding and promote harmonious co-existence among the members of Canada's cultural mosaic.

The Conference continues to strive to shorten the gap between diverse communities, and to demonstrate that we can live together in the spirit of acceptance, harmony and compassion.

The objectives of the event is to promote interfaith respect, harmony, inclusiveness and diversity. It inculcates mutual understanding and respect between different faith traditions and philosophies of the world. It promotes respect, harmony and cohesion among all people.

About Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at (est. 1889) is the largest organized Muslim Community in the world that believes in the awaited Messiah; Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, who founded the Community. He presented the vision of the World Religions Conference over 100 years ago as a means to promote peace in the world.

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Contact Info

Nabeel Rana

Event Coordinator

37th World Religions Conference

1-877-INFO-WRC

Direct: 519-722-0841