From Battlegrounds to Common Grounds

Resolving the conflicts before The End

44th World Religions Conference

Sunday, November 22, 2026 (12:00 pm ~ 5:30 pm)
Lazaridis Hall Auditorium at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.
Canada's Largest Multi Faith Event

Speakers of the 44th World Religions Conference:

 

 

The 44th World Religions Conference is scheduled for this fall on Sunday, November 22, 2026 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: From Battlegrounds to Common Ground - Resolving the conflicts before The End. 

The theme calls upon faith communities to confront one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Wars continue to rage the world and threaten humanity towards a major world destruction. 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 wars. 

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 44+ 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 44th World Religions Conference: Will be announced soon. 

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 22, 2026 12:30pm to 5:00pm
Venue: Lazaridis Hall Auditorium Hall, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada 

Entire conference would be live streamed here on the conference website as well. 

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

Register here to attend

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From Battlegrounds to Common Ground

Resolving the Conflicts Before the End

The theme of the 44th World Religions Conference calls upon humanity to move from division and conflict toward dialogue, understanding, and peace. At a time when armed conflicts, hatred, intolerance, and polarization continue to affect communities around the world, there is an urgent need to address the roots of conflict before disagreements become battlegrounds.

Representatives of eight major faith and philosophical traditions will share spiritual teachings, ethical principles, and lived experiences that can help prevent conflict, promote reconciliation, and build lasting peace.

The conference will explore how faith communities can help remove hatred and prejudice, overcome divisions, build trust, and find common ground through respectful dialogue and cooperation.

Ultimately, the theme is a call to action: to replace hatred with understanding, hostility with dialogue, division with cooperation, and conflict with peace—working together to create a more peaceful and harmonious world.

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Following is a line up of distinguished speakers and scholars (and moderator) chosen to represent different faiths & philosophies at the 44th World Religions Conference on Sunday, November 22, 2026

The theme for this year's event is "From Battlegrounds to Common Ground". Resolving the conficts before The END. 

		Moderator Tim Louis, MP — Kitchener Tim Louis is the Member of Parliament for Kitchener—Conestoga and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister responsible for Canada–U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy. Representing a diverse community, he values listening, respectful dialogue, gender equality, and finding common ground. An award-winning musician and songwriter, Tim believes in the power of arts and culture to bring people together. He is honoured to moderate the 44th World Religions Conference.
		Representing Judaism Rabbi David Mivasair - Hamilton Rabbi David Mivasair, a 1991 graduate of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in Philadelphia, served for over 25 years as the spiritual leader of synagogues in Pennsylvania, British Columbia and Ontario. He lived for four years in Jerusalem and is an active member of Independent Jewish Voices Canada and Jewish Voice for Peace in the USA.
		Representing Hinduism Dr. Raj Balkaran - Toronto Dr. Raj Balkaran is Senior Manager of McMaster University's Spiritual Care and Learning Centre. A Sanskritist holding a PhD from the University of Calgary and an avid spiritual practitioner, he has written and edited six books, tutors for the Oxford Centre for Hindu Studies, and hosts the New Books in Indian Religions podcast. His work with the International Committee of the Red Cross examines Hindu ethics of war.
		Representing Islam Imam Naveed Ahmad Mangla - Ottawa Naveed Ahmad Mangla is a prolific speaker and Islamic research scholar with a passion for education and service. After graduating in Islamic Theology and Comparative Religions in Canada (2010), he trained as a missionary in Liberia and served in Toronto. He spent nine impactful years in Belize (South America) as National President and Chief Missionary. Today, he serves as Imam of Bait-un-Naseer Mosque, largest mosque in Ottawa.
		Representing Indigenous Jean Becker - Guelph Jean concluded a 30-year career in post-secondary education in 2025 as Associate Vice President at the University of Waterloo. Her leadership and commitment to community engagement have contributed significantly to Indigenization, decolonization and reconciliation, fostering meaningful partnerships with local Indigenous communities. Jean continues to work with local and national organizations to advance positive change and support First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.
		Representing Humanism (Atheist & Agnostics) Leslie Rosenblood - Toronto Leslie is the Secular Chair of the Centre for Inquiry Canada and host of Podcast for Inquiry, engaging scientists, educators, authors and public figures in thoughtful conversations on philosophy, ethics, religion, science and society. A passionate advocate for secularism, evidence-based public policy and freedom of expression, Leslie is committed to fostering a rational, compassionate and just society. He holds degrees from the University of Waterloo and Queen’s University.
		Representing Christianity Dr. Reina C. Neufeldt - Waterloo Reina C. Neufeldt is an Associate Professor in Peace and Conflict Studies at Conrad Grebel University College and the University of Waterloo. With more than 25 years of experience in peace and justice initiatives, she teaches and researches peacebuilding, ethics, transformative dialogue and community-led change. Her publications include Ethics for Peacebuilders: A Practical Guide. Her current research explores histories of exclusion and responses to polarization and division.
		Representing Buddhism Venerable Zhi Guan - Mississauga Venerable Zhiguan, currently the Superintendent of Fo Guang Shan Temple of Toronto, is dedicated to Humanistic Buddhism, spiritual care, interfaith dialogue, and community engagement. With academic training in Buddhist studies, combined with years of monastic educational service in Asia and Canada, she has developed extensive experience in Buddhist teaching and counseling, focusing on integrating Buddhist compassion and practice into Contemporary society.
		Representing Sikhism Rupinder Khangura - Brampton Rupinder is a student of Gurbani, the spiritual wisdom of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, the Sikh Scripture and eternal Guru. Through sacred music, contemplation and selfless service, he explores Sikh spirituality and its guidance for everyday life. In interfaith settings, Rupinder shares Sikh perspectives while seeking common ground through humility, compassion, respectful dialogue and service to humanity. His professional background includes engineering, banking and AI governance.

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Presided and Moderated by:

Tim Louis, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Conestoga

 

 

Tim Louis is the Member of Parliament for Kitchener—Conestoga and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister responsible for Canada–U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs and One Canadian Economy. Representing a diverse community, he values listening, respectful dialogue, gender equality, and finding common ground. An award-winning musician and songwriter, Tim believes in the power of arts and culture to bring people together. He is honoured to moderate the 44th World Religions Conference.

MP Tim Louis has graciously agreed to moderate the 44th World Religions Conference on the theme, "From Battlegrounds to Common Ground" scheduled for Sunday, November 22, 2026 at the Lazaridis Auditorium, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada.

 

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