Kelowna World Religions Conference Builds Bridges Through Love
KELOWNA, British Columbia — Representatives of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints joined leaders from several religious traditions at the 15th annual
World Religions Conference on September 27, 2026, to explore how the commandment
to “love thy neighbour” can strengthen communities, encourage understanding and
inspire service.
Held at Central Okanagan United Church in downtown Kelowna, the conference
brought together representatives of the Bahá’í faith, Judaism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Islam
and Christian traditions. Organized by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Canada,
the event provided an opportunity for religious leaders and community members to
discuss shared values while recognizing the distinctive beliefs of their respective faiths.
The theme, “Love Thy Neighbour,” invited participants to consider how religious
teachings can be translated into meaningful action. Through presentations from different
faith perspectives, the gathering emphasized compassion, respect, peaceful
coexistence and responsibility toward others.
For members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, participation in
interfaith gatherings reflects a commitment to following the example of Jesus Christ by
loving and serving all God's children, regardless of religious affiliation.
“It is our privilege to participate in and help organize this Conference” stated Brother
Alberto De Feo, Vernon Stake Communication Director and a speaker at the
conference, “we consider the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community our
brothers and sisters. We also work closely with all the other speakers on the panel, and
this is a foundational example of loving your neighbour that the Lord Jesus Christ has
taught us to live by.”
The World Religions Conference has become an established forum for interfaith
dialogue in British Columbia. By inviting speakers to address a common theme through
the teachings of their respective traditions, the conference encourages participants to
discover areas of agreement while developing a deeper appreciation for religious
diversity.
The Kelowna gathering also reflected a growing spirit of cooperation among faith
communities in the Central Okanagan. Local interfaith initiatives have created
opportunities for religious organizations to learn from one another, develop friendships
and work together in service to the wider community.
Conference organizers encouraged attendees to contribute non-perishable food items in
support of the local food bank, providing a practical expression of the event's message.
A complimentary South Asian meal offered an additional opportunity for fellowship and
conversation.
“We are very pleased with the attendance and participation. We had 325 who attended
in person and another 75 who joined the online broadcast,” said Rizwan Peerzada, the
leading organizer of the event and President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in
Abbotsford, British Columbia. “Our motto is ‘Love for All. Hatred for None’ and we
believe that only through events like this we can foster a spirit of unity and recognition of
common dialogue in diversity. We are very grateful to all the participants and faith
traditions that collaborated with us.”
The Church's participation also reflects its long-standing recognition of religious freedom
and the importance of respecting the sincere beliefs of others.
The eleventh Article of Faith declares: “We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty
God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same
privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.”
This principle encourages Latter-day Saints to uphold religious liberty while building
relationships of mutual respect with people of other faiths.
The Saviour's teaching to “love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:39) provided a
particularly meaningful foundation for the conference. Although participants represented
different religious traditions, their discussions highlighted the capacity of compassion
and service to unite communities across theological and cultural boundaries.
The Kelowna conference demonstrated how respectful dialogue, friendship and shared
service can help transform religious diversity into an opportunity for greater
understanding and stronger communities.
Submitted by Alberto DeFeo
Vernon Stake Communications Director
Conference recording: https://youtu.be/ERbTaOzKkgw
