ASFC Chairman Addresses Interfaith Event
SACRED JOURNEYS INTO SILENCE
Deputy of H.E. the Grand Mufti of Cyprus;
Mawlana Shaykh Nazim Adil al-Haqqani, ASFC Chairman, Sayyid Ahmed Amiruddin
addresses students and participants at University of Toronto Interfaith
gathering on spirituality and world peace through 'Divine Expereince'.
Saturday June 28, 2008 – Multi Faith Centre, University of Toronto, Downtown Campus
Pictures and story by Terry Weller
“The Multi Faith Centre
is not a large hall; rather it is a medium size comfortable meeting area.
And yet for a few short hours it held the representation of 13 faith groups
working harmoniously together in an invitation to silence.
The program began with a
consecration and blessing by representatives of the Native First Nations
House. This was followed by the sound of a flutist inviting Quietude. Rev.
Leslie Mezei opened with a welcome.
The Venerable Swami Veda
Bharati spoke of our need to go inward to the silence. And as if to lead us
he himself maintained silent meditation throughout the two and half hours
acting as a beacon to the audience as he sat in lotus position at the front.
Leaders from Jainism,
Catholicism, Buddhism, Islam, Quaker, Sufism, Judaism, Pagan-Wiccan,
Presbyterianism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism and Universal Worship each played
a separate role. Each spoke in turn to silence: in ceremony, verbal
meditation, prayer or chant, to lead the audience into a two and half minute
meditation. Each meditation opened up to the next presenter who led into the
next meditative period.
The event was part of
the Canada Day Celebrations. It demonstrated the potential for
Interspiritual effort between the world religions. And for those who took
part, audience and participants, it was an experience of the depth of their
own inner peace.”
For a video presentation with commentary go to:
http://soultv.net/index.php?program=558
(Part One),
http://soultv.net/index.php?program=558# (Part Two)
Reverend Leslie Mezei giving opening remarks
ASFC Chairman Sayyid Ahmed Amiruddin speaking
Al Sunnah Foundation of Canada
