CHICAGO: One hundred years ago, in 1983 the World’s first Parliament of Religions which was held at Chicago’s Columbian Exposition, Representatives from 41 religions and denominations made over400 presentations at the newly built Art Institute during the 17 days of the event. Thousands of people attended the sessions and thousands more around the globe were inspired by the wisdom and hope conveyed by the religious representatives who spoke there.
Once again, from August 28 to September 5 of 1993, the Palmer House will be the major site of another interfaith dialogue. Major speakers like Mother Teresa of Calcutta, His Holiness The Dalai Lama and his Excellency Dr. Abdullah Omar Naseef will be there to focus the intense light of Spirituality on the many critical issues facing the world.
Having this sacred gathering here again is a wonderful blessing. The Chicago area has a religious diversity that is magnificent as reflected in the beautiful Interfaith Calendar published each year by the Chicago and Northern Illinois Region of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, one of the many cosponsors of the 1993 Parliament.
The 1993 Parliament of the World’s Religions will seek new paths to peace and understanding during nine days of ceremony, prayer, meditation and consultation by several thousand representatives of all the world’s religions in Chicago, August 28Scptember 5.
“After the Parliament, we may Took differently at how business is conducted at religious meetings of the future,” said Dr.David Ramage, chairman of the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions. “We would expect more focus on the search for answers to what ails humankind.”
The Parliament will have 12 Plenaries. Its 762 programs will include workshops, lectures and cultural performances; it will deal with critical issues both spiritual and temporal, such as religious conflict, violence against children, religious diversity, the meaning of faith, the environment, AIDS and interfaith dialogue.
This Parliament meeting offers the Sikhs a unique opportunity to present the message of our Gurus to the World. In 1893, there were no representatives of the Sikhs, but this time due to the endeavors of the Chicago Sikh community and the American Sikhs, Sikhism will be well represented.
The acting Jathedar of the Akal Thakat Bhai Manjit Singh heads the list of Sikh speakers and he will speak on “The Word” or ‘Shabd Guru.’ The only way to World Peace. The other speakers who will speak on Sikhism are;S.Hardial Singh, S.Saran Singh, Dr.Meherivan Singh, Dr.Darshan Singh, Dr.Kamaljit Kaur Sethi, and Dr.J.S.Neki and Ranbir Singh Sandhu.
Article extracted from this publication >> August 6, 1993
