 Dr. Aboulhassan Haghani Khaveh (IKERI, Qom Iran ) pours a cup of blessing for Dr. Ed Martin (MCC's director of Central and South Asia programs) during a ceremony recognizing Dr. Martin's many years of guiding the exchange and dialogue.
Photo by Dave Rogalsky, Eastern Canada Correspondent, Canadian Mennonite.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.
Romans 12:18 |
Discussions "lively" at interfaith conference in Waterloo
Gladys Terichow
June 1, 2007
Despite the cancellation of three public forums, an interfaith conference to foster dialogue between Mennonite theologians from North America and Shi'ah Muslim theologians from Iran achieved its goals, said the director of MCC Ontario, Arli Klassen.
The conference, co-sponsored by MCC and Conrad Grebel University in Waterloo, took place at the university, May 28-30.
Registered participants and invited observers explored different aspects of spirituality presented by seven theologians from the Imam Khomeini Research and Education Institute in Iran and seven theologians from Mennonite colleges in North America.
Probing questions and small group discussions followed each presentation, said Klassen, explaining this lively exchange of opinions "encouraged people to explore concerns that each of us have, to correct misunderstandings and deepen our comprehension of each other's points of view."
This academic conference, the third of its kind, was organized as part of MCC's student exchange program with the educational institution in Iran—a partnership "that strengthens MCC's peace building efforts to build relationships of mutual trust and understanding across dividing walls of religion, culture and politics," explained Klassen.
Public forums were cancelled when protestors from the Iranian community in Ontario—some had fled Iran due to human rights abuses—organized demonstrations that disrupted the opening session.
Interfaith peace building is one of MCC's three key initiatives. Other key initiatives are water and HIV/AIDS.
MCC in Iran |
