Vancouver, Canada - Dr. Stefano Piva , Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church; Imam Fode Drame, Zawiyah Foundation; Dr. Yourie Pankratz, Professor of Linguistics at Simon Fraser University; Mr. Merrill Muttart, Secretary of the Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Richmond, BC joined with Ambassadors for Peace and participants of various faiths on March 16, 2014 to discuss the theme of Sectarianism vs. the Universality of Faith.
Dr. Piva set out three basic tenets that stressed the universality of Christianity and two points that have led to alienation and division from other faiths. Dr. Pankratz traced roots of the conflict between Russia and its neighbors. Mr. Merrill, a long-time educator, presented the universalist view of the Baha’i faith from the perspective of a former Christian. Imam Fode Drame, a longtime proponent of interfaith action, gave an Islamic view on the subject.
A short video on UPF was presented at the beginning and a more detailed presentation of the basic principles of UPF was given at the end. A dinner together helped cement the friendship of all participants.