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Hundreds of persons are anticipated to descend on northeast Calgary because the Genesis Centre performs host to the biggest annual Muslim conference in western Canada.

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Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada will likely be internet hosting this 12 months’s Jalsa Salana because the conference will give attention to constructing interfaith bridges throughout various communities. Organizer Zaki Ahmad mentioned the Jalsa Salana is the longest-running and largest Muslim conference throughout the western half of Canada, with attendees from around the globe. 

Ahmad mentioned the conference is open to anybody and it’s meant to be a discussion board to create dialogue between varied communities.

“There’s going to be a whole lot of religious rejuvenation when it comes to listening to the attitude of various communities and their spiritual teachings, in addition to some nice meals, some workshops and exhibitions,” mentioned Ahmad. “There’s a plethora of issues which are happening.”

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This 12 months’s occasion will run all through Saturday and Sunday and it will likely be the primary conference since 2019 after the COVID-19 pandemic pressured the previous two iterations to be cancelled. Ahmad mentioned there will likely be an emphasis on constructing bridges with Canada’s Indigenous communities, with a particular Indigenous prayer going down Saturday night.

Sultan Mahmood, the conference co-ordinator, mentioned First Nations elders from throughout western Canada have been invited to participate on this 12 months’s conference because the Ahmadiyya neighborhood seems to construct bridges and give attention to reconciliation efforts.

“We’ve got been very diligently engaged on this. That idea that now we have to have the schooling, now we have to to assist our Indigenous brothers and sisters,” mentioned Mahmood. “That is our approach of claiming thanks to them as that is their land.”

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Mahmood mentioned there will likely be particular packages for males, for girls and for kids. He added there may also be particular prayer calls through the weekend.

“All of us spend time with the religious atmosphere and in addition give attention to what’s our accountability in direction of a society,” mentioned Mahmood.

Mahmood and Ahmad each mentioned there can be a variety of dignitaries in attendance all through the weekend, together with native politicians and neighborhood leaders.

“You actually get a full flavour of what inter-community peace and brotherhood and sisterhood and understanding seems like on a tangible in entrance of your eyes stage,” mentioned Ahmad.

The convention is to run till 9 p.m. Saturday and absolutely be accomplished by 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

dshort@postmedia.com