Lajna Imaillah of the Prairie Region in Canada hosted its 8th annual Interfaith Symposium on Saturday 17 October 2026 at the Baitul Afiyat Mosque in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
The theme was “The Love of God”. Women speakers from Christianity, Hinduism and Islam shared the beliefs and practices of their own faith. Each explained how her tradition understands God, what the love of God looks like in her own life, and the challenges she faces in keeping that love alive and helping it grow.
Presenting her understanding of Hinduism, Dr. Vasudha Erraguntla explained the relationship between the Atman, or soul, and Brahman, the Divine. She described how manifestations of God may be found in the natural and animal worlds, which has led to worship of the sun, the moon, rivers and cows. She said that she found God in the ordinary moments of life, and that the love of God was not transactional but was expressed through selfless service and devotion.
Dr. Amanda “Mandy” Hecht presented the Christian viewpoint. She explained that our love of God is a response to His love for us, and that to love God, one must also learn to love others. Through the parable of the Good Samaritan, she showed that helping a neighbour in need begins with removing any hatred from one’s own heart.
Regional President Saeeda Khanum Sahiba presented the perspective of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at. She spoke of the importance of establishing a living bond with the One Creator of the universe by recognising His glorious attributes and our complete dependence on Him. She explained that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) directed his followers to seek only the pleasure of Allah the Almighty, by fulfilling the rights owed to God (Huququllah) and the duties owed to His creation (Huququl Ibad). She also related the saying of the Holy Prophet (sa) in which Allah the Almighty declares that if His servant draws near to Him by a hand-span, He draws near by a cubit; if the servant draws near by a cubit, He draws near by the length of outstretched arms; and if the servant comes to Him walking, He goes to the servant running.[1]
A lively question-and-answer session followed, in which audience members asked the panel about their beliefs in more detail. Saeeda Khanum Sahiba then gave the concluding remarks and led a silent prayer.
Guests were served refreshments and given a guided tour of the mosque, including the Holy Qur’an exhibition and a display of artwork by girls of the Nasirat auxiliary, expressing their love of God.
The 21 guests gave warm feedback, praising the care shown by the 46 volunteers who looked after them and saying how much they had learnt from the programme. The new format, in which each speaker answered the same set of questions rather than giving a presentation, was particularly well received.
Karin Corbett, visiting a mosque for the first time, said she had felt truly welcome. She valued how each speaker was able to share her faith without becoming defensive or fearing recrimination.
Tatum Meetoos said she had not known what to expect, but the event had opened her eyes to what others believe and to how much we all hold in common. It had, she said, made her really happy.
Adenike Falyuwoye found the symposium very interesting. She liked the topic and felt it was the need of the time.
Perhaps the most memorable response came afterwards, in a message from Dayana Sunshine, who wrote, “I was searching for a living God for many years. In today’s programme, I found out that there is a living God who hears our problems.”
May Allah the Almighty enable us all to strengthen our bond with our Creator. Ameen.
References
[1] Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Tauhid, Hadith 7405. See also Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2675. Source: readhadith.app
