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Montreal, Canada - UPF-Canada convened its bi-monthly French-language interfaith meeting on April 18 at the Ruby Foo's Hotel in downtown Montreal. Guest speaker Mohammed Chraibi, imam of a large congregation in Laval, north of Montreal, expounded on the universality of the Islamic faith, especially as it embraces the “religions of the book,” i.e., Judaism, Christianity, and of course, Islam.
Chraibi’s model of interfaith harmony was displayed in a short video depicting three elder gentlemen, a rabbi, a priest and an imam meeting in a park for friendship (and sharing donuts) on a warm summer’s day. In fine UPF tradition, Imam Chraibi was inducted as an Ambassador for Peace.
His presentation was well received, and a lively discussion followed, with more than 25 guests from a variety of religious backgrounds actively participating. The meeting ended with a closing prayer, and photos were taken.
Among the several new guests were a journalist/imam, several students, and the newly appointed Ambassador of Peace to Canada representing the Government of Pakistan, whose mandate is to meet with groups from all faiths in Canada in order to make connections with religious leaders in Pakistan who are pursuing interfaith harmony there.