Last month witnessed the first annual Interfaith Breakfast on Parliament Hill. Inspired by the long standing Christian Prayer Breakfast, the Interfaith Prayer Breakfast was sponsored by the All Party Interfaith Parliamentary Friendship Group (APIF), co-chaired by MP David Sweet and Rabbi Reuven Bulka.
This historic interfaith event brought together 90 faith leaders and representatives from different religions, 19 Ambassadors, 11 diplomats, 19 MPs, and 5 Senators.
During the program, prayers from the Hindu, Sikh, Bahá’í, and Buddhist faiths were offered in Tamil, Sanskrit, Punjabi, English, and French.
Co-Chairs MP David Sweet and Rabbi Bulka, opened the breakfast by sharing the aims of the APIF and introducing the idea of awarding MP’s who promote interfaith and intercultural harmony in their ridings.
Three speakers had been invited to make presentations on religion and the public space and religion and human rights. Regrettably, MP Rahim Jaffer, was prevented, by last minute circumstances beyond his control, from attending.
MP Bill Blaikie pointed out that questions of peace and war, the economy and the environment are all issues informed by faith and that there are appropriate ways of speaking in an explicitly faith informed way in the public sphere.
Susanne Tamas, who is the Director of the Bahá’í Community of Canada’s Office of Governmental Relations, and a founding member of the APIF, discussed the international human rights framework for freedom of religion or belief.
Ms. Tamas underscored the timeliness of focusing on the importance of this right during the 25th anniversary year of the adoption of the Declaration on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and Discrimination based on Religion or Belief.
Demonstrating the spirit of interfaith commitment, all speakers at the breakfast called upon those assembled to work locally and nationally, in Faith communities and at all levels of government, towards increased understanding, tolerance, and fellowship.
“The Interfaith National Breakfast was an opportunity to build strong relationships between Canadians of distinct Faith backgrounds and Members of Parliament by recognizing our common bond as spiritual beings.” Said Nathalie Thirlwall the Breakfast’s Master of Ceremonies.
Ms. Thirlwall, who is the Director of the Baha’i Community of Ottawa Interfaith Office, served as chair of the subcommittee that organized the breakfast.
Each faith community had the opportunity to invite up to 10 representatives and by assigning seating for participants at integrated tables, diverse contact between governmental officials and a variety of faith community members was ensured.
Guests mingled and socialized with each other as they arrived and many lingered to continue their conversations following the formal program.
A 30 minute interview with Ms. Thirlwall on the topic of the Interfaith National Breakfast, was also aired on Sunday November 25 on Rabbi Bulka’s radio program on CFRA.