Parliament of the World's Religions Brings Interfaith Movement to Utah
In less than two days, some 10,000 devotees of 50 faith traditions from 80 countries are expected to fill the halls of the convention facility for the largest interfaith event in the world, Desert News reported.
Previous host cities for the event have included Chicago; Cape Town, South Africa; Barcelona; and Melbourne, Australia. This year, the fifth parliament since its first appearance more than 120 years ago in 1893 will be held in the city that is headquarters to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
"Parliament is coming here because we're open to all people, to all religions, all faiths," said Mujahid, chairman of the parliament’s board of trustees and the first Muslim to be elected to the position.
Some 7,500 people have already registered for the event, and only a handful cancelled after learning the Dalai Lama would not be able to attend. The Dalai Lama, 80, is under doctors' care at The Mayo Clinic and has been advised to clear his October schedule and rest.
While attendees will miss hearing from the Dalai Lama in person, Mujahid said the agenda for the five-day conference is packed with talks and training sessions led by leaders in faith, thought and social justice from throughout the world.
While some people attend the parliament to hear from global leaders and participate in dialogue with people of other faith traditions, the agenda also includes training sessions for people who lead interfaith groups or coalitions in their own communities or countries, Mujahid said.
Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable, which works locally to achieve interfaith respect, dialogue and collaboration to overcome religious division, has assisted with the preparations for the parliament by helping to plan 12 rooms that represent the world's major faiths. Some will be dedicated places of prayer and contemplation, such as the room representing the Muslim faith. Others will feature displays of symbols and objects unique to their particular faiths and rituals.
The event begins Oct. 15 with a dedicated women's assembly and concludes Oct. 19.
Utah Gov. Gary Herbert, Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams and Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker will join Elder L. Whitney Clayton, of the LDS Church's First Quorum of the Seventy, in ceremonies to welcome parliament participants.
The Right Rev. Scott Hayashi, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah, is scheduled to offer a presentation.
The Sikh Community of Utah will provide Langar, a free communal meal, each day of the conference.
While presenters and attendees will be coming from all over the world, Imam Mujahid said Utahns are encouraged to register and take part in a powerful experience of learning more about other faiths and talking to people with different beliefs about the issues of the day.
After the 2009 parliament in Melbourne, Australia, surveys of youths in attendance indicated "the experience of the parliament was more important for us than any particular program. It is worth experiencing. People know, through headlines, the conflict of religions. When people come here, they will see the love, relationship and respect of religions," Mujahid said.
For many attendees, the experience deepens their own faith yet opens their eyes to beliefs of others, he said.
