CALGARY

Bridges to a Common Future

Bridges to a Common future' was the title of an event held in Calgary on June 22nd 2008, hosted by the Muslim and Christian communities in conjunction with Initiatives of Change.

Please click here to read about what took place.

QUEBEC CITY

Blessing the gifts of water brought from many parts of Canada and the USA

A weekend gathering and a ceremony of healing on the Plains of Abraham took place in Quebec City over May 23- 25 weekend. To read a full report of the gathering and events over the weekend please click here.

March 18, 2008 Canadians took part in the "Meeting of the Americas" conference in Brazil.
Sonja Bergen writes of her experiences.

EDMONTON

The Global Indigenous Dialogue (Canada) and the Sombrilla Refuge Support Society were pleased to present:

A Dialogue Circle on Indigenous Peoples Rights and Relationships

With Special Guest Speaker: Hilaria Supa Huaman, Quechua, Congress of Peru

February 21 at the Canadian Native Friendship Centre - 101 Street and 112 Avenue.

Other speakers included:

Dr. Makere Stewart-Harawira, Waitada Nation, Aotearoa (New Zealand)
Trevor Gladue, Vice President, Metis Nation of Alberta
Muriel Stanley Venne, President, Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women
Danika Littlechild, Cree, Vice-chair Sectoral Commission on Culture, Communication, & Information at the Canadian Commission of UNESCO

REGINA

On February 5th and 12th at the Royal Saskatchewan Museum the Multi Faith forum of Regina are hosted an event titled 'Care for the Earth'. In their invitation the organisers wrote ..." Through our Scriptural teaching and the example of responsible environmental practices in our places of worship, we can encourage lifestyle changes in our city that will create a more sustainable world for our children and grandchildren.

For further details, please click here to see the poster.

MONTREAL

In the Footsteps of Gandhi, January 30th 1948 - January 30th 2008 - Celebration in Montreal

To mark the occasion of the death of Gandhi, an extra-ordinary evening was organized by the Gandhi committee (which IofC is part of) composed of several peace organizations www.surlespasdegandhi.ca, and was held at the Centre l’Emergence in Montreal.

Thanks to the creativity of artists, an ‘interactive pact’ was suggested to the 160 participants, inviting them to integrate Gandhi’s message into their own lives.

To read the full report please click here.

CALGARY

Imam and Pastor Warm Calgary Hearts in Minus 49 degree Windchill-to read about their 2 1/2 day visit to Calgary click here.

Imam Hamoud welcoming the Imam and Pastor

IofC club and other attending workshop at University of Calgary

Imam and Pastor meet Journalist Warren Harbeck

BRITISH COLUMBIA

The “Imam” and the “Pastor” Have Visited Western Canada

BURNABY

Saturday January 26th at the AlSalaam Mosque at 5060 Canada Way. Imam Ashafa took part in the "Reach Out" program - dialogue with Muslims and Christians.

SURREY

A community event with the Imam and the Pastor on Wednesday, January 30th at the Semiahmoo House Society on 24th Ave. A short version of the film was shown with an opportunity for dialogue with Imam Ashafa and Pastor Wuye around the issues of peace and reconciliation in our own lives and community.

VICTORIA

January 31st, 2008 dialogue with the Imam and Pastor at the University of Victoria. More information can be found on the Peacemakers Trust website.

February 2nd - A Fund Raising Luncheon put on by LINK International Ministries was held at the Embassy Inn. Pastor James and Imam Ashafa spoke.

Richmond

City Hall

On Friday January 18th in Richmond Pastor Wuye and Imam Ashafa spoke to a crowded City Hall. The event was hosted by IofC, RIAC and the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise . A 12 year old boy brought chuckles from both men when he asked them if they always got on together. They spoke about their need to talk honestly and 'go for clinic' ,as they say in the film. They encouraged him to always be true to himself but also reach out to others because building relationships is so important. Georgina Patko, chair of the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise said that the club had provided a grant to IofC to enable a copy of the film to go into all the schools in Richmond.

Prior to the evening at City Hall, local media came to interview the The Imam and Pastor. Very good articles have appeared in a number of Metro Vancouver papers.

New Westminster

Justice Institue of British Columbia

Filled to capacity the auditorium at the BC Justice Institute was the venue for the film followed by a dialogue with Pastor Wuye and Imam Ashafa, facilitated by Jessie Sutherland of Worldview Strategies. Following the screening of the film, as the men approached the platform the audience spontaneously gave them a standing ovation. Questions from students, social activists, youth workers, university professor, volunteers with new immigrants, kept the men sharing from their rich experiences for an hour and a half.

The evening began with a First Nations Elder giving a welcome and traditional blessing, then a choir of First Nations sang a prayer song in Arabic and Latin. Paul Ndukwe, who initially invited the men and partnered with IofC, gave a short overview of Nigeria to set the scene. Chris Hartnell gave a brief overview of the film and the international team who had put it together.

Two local newspapers carried photos and an interview with James and Ashafa and mentioned other public events.

Read about this special event on the JIBC website.

Pam White, Director for the Centre for Conflict Resolution at the Justice Institute introducing James and Ashafa to Coleen Pierre -Sam from the Katsie Nation. Coleen and her husband Dean Sam gave the traditional First Nations welcome.

Jessie Sutherland of Worldview Strategies facilitating the question time with the men

Asgar Husain, President of the Muslim Youth Centre in Surrey asks a question

Guests, Justice Institute host, Pam White, with some of the local IofC team.

Richmond

The Imam and The Pastor Film Viewing

January 10th at the Richmond Hospital in the Ralph Fisher Auditorium.