43rd World Religions Conference

Combatting Hate 43rd World Religions Conference

LIMITED SEATING - REGISTER NOW TO RESERVE YOUR SEAT

Sunday, November 23, 2025 (12:00 pm ~ 5:30 pm)
Lazaridis Hall Auditorium at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Theme: Combatting Hate
Canada's Largest Multi Faith Event

Entire conference will be live streamed here on this website. 

The 43rd World Religions Conference will be held this fall on Sunday, November 23, 2025 at Lazaridis Hall at Wilfrid Laurier University. The conference has been organized in Canada since 1981. It has a long tradition for bringing together renowned scholars for a deep and thought-provoking exchange of ideas. 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 the society.

The theme selected for this year’s conference is: Combatting Hate

The theme “Combatting Hate” calls upon faith communities to confront one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Hate in its many forms—whether based on religion, race, culture, or ideology—undermines peace and erodes the values of justice and compassion that lie at the heart of all major faith traditions. At this year’s World Religions Conference, representatives from eight world religions will share their perspectives on how spiritual teachings, moral principles, and lived experiences can help root out prejudice and intolerance. Together, the voices of diverse faiths will highlight the power of dialogue, empathy, and collective action in transforming hate into understanding, division into unity, and fear into hope.

About World Religions Conference

The World Religions Conference (WRC) is a multi-faith event which brings together well-known scholars from the world’s major religions to speak on a common topic from the point of view of their respective religious traditions. For 43+ years, the WRC has served as an invaluable forum for different religious and ethnic communities to gather in the spirit of tolerance, peace, cooperation, and understanding. The WRC serves the noble purpose of educating members of the community regarding interesting and relevant topics by providing a platform where all major religions can pool their collective wisdom and teachings regarding the topic. Continually on the rise in terms of organizational standards, quality of content, and attendance, the WRC has become Canada's largest and longest running event of its kind!

The conference has a long tradition for bringing together renowned scholars for a deep and thought-provoking exchange of ideas. 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 the society.

Participating Religions and Philosophical Traditions:

Buddhism, Islam, Sikhism, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Indigenous Spirituality and Humanism (Atheism and Agnostics)

Speakers of the 43rd World Religions Conference:

The conference has been organized in Canada since 1981. It has a long tradition for bringing together renowned scholars for a deep and thought-provoking exchange of ideas. 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 the society.

Date of Event: Sunday, November 23, 2025 12:30pm to 5:00pm
Venue: Lazaridis Hall Auditorium Hall, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada 

For more info call: 1-877-INFO-WRC

Register here to attend: Registration Form 2025

Program Agenda can be found here: Program (43rd WRC)

Directions and Parking info can be found here:  Venue and Directions (43rd WRC)

Vendors planning to setup a stall or need table space, please submit this form: WRC Bazaar Registration

[Futher updates and details about the event will be posted here] 

As traditional, the World Religions Conference food organizing committee has made arrangements for all guests of the conference to an attractive refreshments and dinner menu at the venue of the conference at the upcoming 43rd World Religions Conference for November 23, 2025.

Refreshments - 1st Break at @1:30 pm ; 2nd Break at 3:50 pm

Dinner Service @ 5:30 pm

Famous WRC Samosas

Assorted Pastries: Cinnamon buns, Danishes, Croissants, Mini Muffins

Dinner Service Menu

Pizza Hut: Vegetarian Pan Pizzas

Beverages:

An assortment of Orange Pekoe and Fair Trade Herbal Teas.

Ice Water and Fruit Punch

Carafe Fair Trade Coffee

Note: Refreshments and dinner provided at no cost by the premier sponsor of the conference.

[Disclaimer: Refreshments and Dinner Menu subject to change by event organizers]

Sunday, November 26, 2025

Lazaridis Auditorium, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo

THEME: Combatting HATE

OPENING SESSION

12:00p Doors Open
     — Welcome and Registration
     — Visit to World Religions Displays & Bazaar

12:30p Welcome by Moderator
     — Mary Lou Roe, Councillor City of Waterloo

12:32p Opening Recitation from the Holy Qur’an

12:36p Opening Ceremony
              — Introduction of Speakers and Dignitaries
              — Unveiling of the World Religions Conference Plaque
              — Singing of O'Canada - National Anthem of Canada
              — Words by President, WRC organizing committee
                         — Dr. Ahmad Imran

12:46p Introductory Remarks
             — Lal Khan Malik, National President,
             Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada

12:51p Speaker’s Introductory Teaser Remarks *

12:52p — Judaism: Jay Judkowitz – Waterloo
12:55p — Hinduism: Dr. Shiv D. Talwar – Waterloo
12:58p — Islam: Imam Farhan Iqbal - Mississauga
1:01p — Buddhism: Dr. Mitra Barua, Waterloo
1:04p — Indigenous: Clarence Cachagee - Kitchener
1:07p — Sikhism: Upkar Singh - Brampton
1:10p — Christianity: Father Toby Collins - Kitchener
1:13p — Humanism: Sassan Sanei - Waterloo

1:16p Messages and Greetings from Guest Dignitaries
— Local and Regional Leaders
— Provincial and National leaders

1:30p Break Time and Social Interactions
— Complimentary Refreshments

THEME SESSION - "Combatting HATE"

Speakers present his/her view of their respective faith on the theme (10 minutes each). Each presentation will be followed by a presentation of recitation from the Holy Scriptures (3.5 minutes).

2:00p Introduction to the Theme Session — Moderator

2:02p Judaic Perspective — Jay Judkowitz – Waterloo
2:12p Jewish Recitation or Hymn — Jewish Community

2:16p Hindu Perspective — Dr. Shiv D. Talwar - Waterloo
2:26p Hindu Recitation or Hymn — Hindu Community

2:30p Islamic Perspective — Imam Farhan Iqbal - Mississauga
2:40p Islamic Recitation or Hymn — Muslim Community

2:44p Buddhist Perspective — Dr. Mitra Barua, Waterloo
2:54p Buddhist Recitation or Hymn — Buddhist Community

2:58p Indigenous Perspective — Clarence Cachagee - Kitchener
3:08p Indigenous Recitation or Hymn — Indigenous Community

3:12p Sikh Perspective — Upkar Singh - Brampton
3:22p Sikh Recitation or Hymn — Sikh Community

3:26p Christian Perspective — Father Toby Collins - Kitchener
3:36p Christian Recitation or Hymn — Indigenous Community

3:40p Humanist Perspective — Sassan Sanei - Waterloo
3:50p Secular Presentation — Humanist Community

3:54p Coffee Break — Complimentary Refreshments and Social

INTERACTIVE & CONCLUDING SESSION

4:20p Introduction to the Q/A Session — Moderator

4:22p Open Question & Answer Session — with all speakers of different faiths and philosophies

5:24p Vote of Thanks - Recognition of Speakers and Volunteers — Nabeel Rana, WRC Event Coordinator

5:27p Closing Remarks — Moderator & Chair

5:29p Silent Multi-Faith Prayer — All Faiths

5:30p Dinner and Social

(* The order of presentations was determined via random draw at the last World Religions Conference, held Nov 26, 2023)

Prestigious
Lazaridis Auditorium
Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

64 University Ave W, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C7

Venue of the 43rd World Religions Conference

Lazaridis Auditorium Hall is the newest building on Wilfrid Laurier University's Waterloo Campus. The $103.7 million building is LEED Gold Certified and has earned numerous awards and international recognition. Thanks to the atrium’s tremendous glass dome roof, the interior spaces of Lazaridis Hall are filled with natural light that bounces off the beautiful wooden features to create a warm and inviting space.

The twin cities of Kitchener-Waterloo are located less than one hour west of Toronto -- Canada's largest city -- and a couple of hours from the American cities of Detroit and Buffalo via highway 401. 

World Religions Conference Complementary Parking Arrangement

Sunday, November 23, 2025

Parking Lot 32 is the most convenient parking lot, which will be free for conference attendees at Wilfrid Laurier University.

To attend the World Religions Conference on Sunday November 26, 2023 afternoon, there is free parking for any of the gold and white permit parking lots on campus. The most convenient ones would be lot 32 or Lot 37 that are behind Lazaridis Auditorium (off of Balsam St or Hickory St W).

You may also park anywhere on Laurier campus on any gold and white permit parking lots with the exception noted below. 

Please note that Parking lots 4, 12, 20 & 33 on Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo not free are pay-and-display.

Parking at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church: You may also park at the St. Michael's Church parking that is adjacent to the Lazaridis Auditorium Parking. St. Michael's Church is located at 80 University Avenue.

 About Lazaridis Auditorium, Wilfrid Laurier University: