Halifax Celebrates Fourth Annual
World Religion Day Celebration

by AMPower 22 January 2007

HALIFAX, NS - Halifax Regional Municipality celebrated World Religion Day in the downtown core at historic St. Matthew's United Church on Sunday January 21, 2007. From the opening fanfare of Samba Nova, using various forms of percussive music arising from African roots in Brazil, it was evident this would be a lively celebration.

Over 350 people braved the unusually frigid temperatures to gather and worship in unity while sculptor Mary Jane Lundy lit the candle "Waves of Emotion", last year's World Religion Day pottery creation, and then began molding another piece this year.

Following the fanfare,

• Prayers were recited from the Zoroastrian faith;
• The Igniters Baha'i dance workshop who displayed precision slap dancing;
• A Jewish rabbi and cantor chanted;
• The Kitpu (Mi'kmaq) native youth drummers drummed;
• Sikh youth and children sang a hymn;
• Two Christian choirs performed;
• Local Muslim youth recited from the Qur'an;
• Hindi youth and leader presented;
• The Holy Bible was dramatized;

Over 60 voices with professional musicians sang two rousing massed participant pieces to close.

In the spirit of the theme "Religion must be the cause of unity", the organizers were sure to accomodate the children and youth with the 'Artistic Expressions of Faith' workshop. Over thirty children & youth worked together as a team to create a beautiful banner that exemplified the power of unity through art.

"It was heartwarming this year to see almost all presenters were children and/or youth.", says Sharon Chesley-Smith, an organizer from the Baha'i community., " Sharon also observed, "smaller faith communities feel more comfortable after four years. It takes a lot of courage to speak to over 350 people!"

Paintings by artist in attendance for the first three years, Nadia Alam, were on display along with the Mayor of Halifax's proclamation for World Religion Day the 'Artistic Expressions of Faith' Unity Banner was also unveiled at the reception. Many who attended also contributed donations in support of Feed Nova Scotia to spread the good will and generous spirit to more people in the community.

Many view this event as a counterpoint to recent press coverage of acts of discrimination and religious intolerance. The annual celebration of World Religion Day is constantly evolving, gaining in popularity and continue to recieve excellent press coverage through the local media, University publications, Canadian Television (CTV) and CBC radio.

Be sure to mark your calendar for the 3^rd Sunday of January 2008.