On the evening of March 25, 2026, Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) played host to the 19th Annual World Religions Conference (WRC) – an event that has, over nearly two decades, established itself as one of the most thoughtful interfaith gatherings in central Alberta. This year’s theme, “Building a Caring Society: Perspectives on Love, Empathy & Community,” drew a diverse and engaged audience and featured speakers representing Indigenous, Christian, Secular, and Islamic traditions.
The program was co-moderated by Dr. Carrie Dennett and Dr. Daniel Haas, both Professors at Red Deer Polytechnic. Following a recitation from the Holy Qur’an, Dr. Dennett welcomed attendees and offered an introduction to the co-organizer, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamā’at and the vision behind the World Religions Conference. What followed was an evening of genuine intellectual exchange – candid, respectful, and at times deeply moving.
Indigenous Perspective: The Ethics of Interconnectedness
Ms. Lindsay Hawrylak spoke of how, within Indigenous worldviews, individuals exist in constant relationship with one another, with the natural world, and with the broader living environment. Caring for others is not an act of charity so much as a recognition of one’s place within a web of mutual dependence. She placed particular emphasis on listening as a moral discipline – where people genuinely hear one another and recognise their shared bonds, compassion emerges naturally.
Christian Perspective: Love Made Visible Through Service
Rev. Julie Cavanaugh reflected on compassion and empathy as enduring attributes of God – qualities believers are called to embody, not merely admire. Drawing on the life and teachings of Jesus (as), she highlighted sacrifice as the truest expression of love, grounding her remarks in examples of her church’s outreach work in Red Deer and abroad. The message was clear: compassion that does not translate into action remains incomplete.
Secular Perspective: Shared Values, Shared Responsibility
Dr. Anomi Bearden made the case that a caring society need not rest on religious foundations alone – empathy is a well-documented feature of human psychology, accessible to all. She directed attention toward the structural dimensions of a caring society, arguing that just and equitable institutions are essential to sustaining compassion at scale, and called on all citizens to participate actively in building them.
Islamic Perspective: Compassion as Moral Obligation
Maulana Ataul Wahab represented the Islamic tradition, presenting a vision of compassion that begins in the home and radiates outward. He explained that children are born in a state of purity, and that when they are raised in an atmosphere of love and moral consistency, those values take root and extend naturally into their communities.
Citing the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), Maulana Ataul Wahab reminded the audience that a believer who remains indifferent to the suffering of his neighbour has not yet fulfilled the demands of his faith. In Islam, he emphasised, compassion is not a sentiment – it is a responsibility made real through action: through generosity, through kind speech, and through service to those in need. He concluded by drawing attention to the prophets as living models of mercy and justice, whose example continues to guide believers in the practice of everyday kindness.
A Gesture of Practical Compassion: Donation to the RDP Food Bank
One of the highlights of the evening was the presentation of a cheque for $6,600 to the RDP Students’ Association Food Bank. The cheque was presented by Mr. Asim Haneef on behalf of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamā’at. The gesture spoke for itself – a fitting expression, in deed rather than word, of the very values the conference was gathered to explore.
Remarks by President of Red Deer Polytechnic
RDP President Stuart Cullum, who has been a consistent participant of these conferences expressed sincere appreciation to the organising teams and acknowledged the Jamā’at’s continued partnership with the Polytechnic and its students.
Concluding Remarks and Note of Thanks
Kalim Ahmed concluded the formal programme on behalf of the Jama’at, extending thanks to the panelists for the depth and generosity of their contributions, to Dr. Dennett and Dr. Haas for their skilled moderation, and to Red Deer Polytechnic for providing such a welcoming venue. He also recognised the volunteers whose quiet dedication kept the evening running smoothly.
The conference closed with a silent prayer.
The 19th Annual World Religions Conference was, by any measure, a success – not merely as an event, but as a demonstration of what respectful dialogue can accomplish. Four distinct traditions, each with its own history and vocabulary, found common ground in a shared conviction: that a truly caring society is built not on one community’s effort alone, but on the collective commitment of all people to the dignity, well-being, and flourishing of one another.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at is grateful to all who made the evening possible and looks forward to continuing this important conversation in the years ahead.
