Sunday, November 23, 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 — Christian 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)