Life after Death, Myth or Reality

9th World Religions Conference, Kamloops BC

Topic: Tackling Radicalization in Faiths

Date: February 21, 2016

Time: 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM

Venue: Chapel Alumni Theatre, Clock Tower Building, Thompson Rivers University

Address: 900 McGill Road Kamloops, BC. V2C 0C8

Tel: 604-767-1965 or
Toll Free: 1-877-767-1965
Email: info.bc@ahmadiyya.ca

Moderator

Councillor Donovan Cavers
City of Kamloops

   As a City Councillor and as an individual, Councillor Cavers participates in a wide range of organizations working on health, sustainability and social justice issues with a particular focus on diversifying our transportation system, increasing local food security and accessibility, and ensuring our community is a healthy, vibrant place for all. Born in Kamloops, Donovan Grube Cavers is the grandson of the late Trustee Henry Grube, for whom School District No. 73’s Education Centre is named. Donovan spent his early years on a family farm in Chase, BC and has lived in Kamloops since the age of 11, where he hopes to start a family. An Honour Student at John Peterson Secondary School, he went on to study in the Culinary Arts program at UCC (now Thompson Rivers University). Donovan is the founder and proud owner of two local businesses, Conscientious Catering and The Cultivated Kitchen.
   Councillor Cavers sits on the Tournament Capital Committee, the Parks and Recreation Committee, the Community and Council Services Committee, the Coordinated Enforcement Task Force, the Development Cost Charges Review Committee, the Parcel Tax Roll Review Panel, and is the alternate to the Social Planning Council. Councillor Cavers is always happy to hear from you and appreciates all ideas on how we can make our city even better. When he has a few moments of his own, Donovan can be found reading, cycling, hiking, gardening, swimming, running, or cross-country skiing.

Profiles

Buddhism Perspective:
Dr. Warveni  Jap, Ph.D

Warveni Jap is Senior Lecturer in Department of Marketing, International Business & Entrepreneurship at TRU. She is a Member of MBA Committee – Co-Chairperson of Faculty Council International Programs Advisory Committee –Member of TRU Senate International Affairs Committee –Marketing Lead Instructor for Department of Marketing, International Business and Entrepreneurship. Dr. Warveni has DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) in Marketing and International Business with Leadership focus from the University of Phoenix, Arizona, USA. MBA Degree from the National Chengchi University, Taipei, TaiwanBA Degree from University of Washington, Seattle, USA.She also has earned some honours and awards. For example, 2013 TRU President’s Award for Excellence in Internationalization.She is also a sincere and strong believer in Traditional Chinese Buddhism (which is the combination of Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism) which has been playing an extremely prominent and dynamic role in Chinese culture, history, and civilization.

Christianity Perspective:
Dr. Christopher P. Montoya, Ph.D

Chris Montoya is a Senior Lecturer at Thompson Rivers University and has been with the institution for over 25 years. Before working for TRU Chris was a stem cell researcher and lecturer at the University of Cambridge England, Downing College. Chris ran Campus Christian Ministries for over 22 years at the TRU North Campus in Williams Lake, and was a member of Gideons an organization that has distributed over 1.5 billion Bibles globally in 191 countries, and in 93 different  languages. Dr. Montoya has also published 2 international peer reviewed papers concerning science and religion.  Chris was recently transferred to the main campus in Kamloops July 2015. 

Hindu Faith Perspective:
Pandit Premaya Chaitanya

Pandit Prameya Chaitanya is the founder and Acharya of Shree Mahalakshmi Temple, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.He is a teacher and spiritual guide and has been serving the community for the last 35 years.He received training in Theology and in the study of Yoga meditation and Herbal medicine at a very young age ,under renowned masters in the Sivananda ashram,also known as Yoga Vedanta Forest Acadamy in Rishikesh and also under Swami Chinmayanandaji and Swami Dayananda Saraswati of Arsha Vidya Gurukulam. He has endeared himself to the community with his selfless service ,for which he was recognized by the Canadian government with a commemorative award in 1992.He is also a well known figure in many Interspiritual organizations.

Islamic Perspective: 
Imam Balal Khokhar

Rajnish Dhawan [PhD] is an Associate Professor with the Department of English at the
University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford, BC, Canada. He teaches Creative Writing, Classical Literature, and South Asian Literature. He has been involved with South Asian Studies Institute since the day he joined UFV in September 2009.  Rajnish is also a playwright who has written and produced two full length plays and two one act plays since joining UFV. Before moving to Canada, Rajnish used to teach at the DAV College, Amritsar. As a freelance writer in Amritsar, he wrote consistently for television, stage, and newspapers. 

Sikh Perspective:
Mr. Gian Singh Kotli

Gian Singh Kotli is a dedicated multi-faith activist.  He has a Masters degree in English and Political Science and is also a Law Graduate.  He is a prominent Punjabi poet and writer.  His numerous articles have been published in Punjabi and English newspapers.  He has worked in India, Singapore and Vancouver as an editor, a Principal, and in various other positions.  Gian is actively involved in interfaith and community programs and travelled as far as Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories. 

Program

2:55pm Commencement

3:00pm Recitation from The Holy Scripture & Translation

Welcome Remarks of Dignitaries
3:10pm Introductory Remarks
Rizwan Peerzada

Introduction of Moderator
By: Noeman Mirza

Buddhism Perspective
Dr. Warveni Jap

Christianity Perspective
Dr. Chris Montoya

Hindu Faith Perspective
Pandit Prameya Chaitanya

Islam Perspective
Maulana Balal Khokhar

Sikh Faith Perspective
Mr. Gian Singh Kotli

5:20PM Dinner Break

5:50PM Question & Answer Session Question & Answer session

6:20PM Concluding Remarks of Moderator

6:25PM Vote of thanks 

Map