Speakers at an interfaith event held in Toronto, a major city in Canada, called for peace and harmony across the world, particularly within Canadian Society. The Eid Interfaith Luncheon was organized by interfaith leader and senior religious scholar Allama Inayat Ali Shakir.
The luncheon was arranged to celebrate Eid al-Fitr and to promote unity and harmony among different segments of society, including followers of various religions.
Leaders and representatives from various community organizations, along with political, religious, and social figures, shared their views on peace and harmony, tolerance and respect others in society. They emphasized that peace is essential for the prosperity of humanity and that the world needs peace and harmony now more than ever. The program was moderated by Dr. Syed Sibtain Shah, the expert of international relations.
Those who spoke on the occasion included Yasmin Ratanji, former Member of Canadian Parliament, Rev. Earl Smith, interfaith leader and senior member of the Church of Scientology Toronto; Dr. Paul Shepherd, minister of a local branch of the United Church; Mohammad Rampurawala from the Bohra community; Sam Chopra, President of South Asians in Ontario; Advocate Gurjinder Sahota from the Sikh community; Advocate Syed Najam Naqvi, senior lawyer and prominent political figure; Mazhar Shafique, advisor to Member of Parliament Robert Oliphant; Rashid Dasoo, President of the Islamic Society of Toronto (Masjid Darus Salaam); and Rachel Chernos Lin, City Councillor for Ward 15 – Don Valley West, Toronto. Mr. Qaiser and Mrs. Safra from the Ismaili community also addressed the gathering.
Earlier, the program began with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an by Syed Shah Hussain of Madina tul Ilm. Then Allama Inayat Ali Shakir expressed his welcoming remarks. He explained purpose of this gathering on the occasion of Eid tul Fitre.
Additionally, Zenji Acharya, a prominent figure from the Buddhist community addressed the audience via video link. Among other participants were Zamir Bashir Uddin, Secretary of South Asians in Ontario; Mahmood Badvi, an intellectual of Sindhi origin; Zulfiqar Jaffari, Shahbaz Mughal, Mohammad Younas, Masood Alim, Syed Mujahid Hussain, and Syed Shabbar Sherazi from the local Muslim community; Maulana Syed Mehdi Raza Naqvi, Syed Baqir Raza Naqvi, Syed Kalbe Abbas Naqvi, and Syed Baqir Shah from Madina tul-Ilm; and Andras Kokh and Jennifer Lukas from the United Church.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, a cake-cutting segment was held, in which Member of Parliament Robert Oliphant also participated. He expressed his gratitude to Imam Shakir for inviting him to the interfaith Eid event. Allama Inayat Ali Shakir, the host of the event, once again expressed his gratitude to member of parliament Robert Olphant and the participants for their participation.
The event concluded with a prayer led by Allama Syed Abid Raza Naqvi, who prayed for peace, prosperity and harmony throughout the world specially in Canada.
