Film focuses on interfaith friends

Film focuses on interfaith friends

Calgary Muslims and Christians are coming together Sunday to continue building bridges of friendship.

The interfaith hospitality and dialogue gathering is set for 4 to 6 p.m. at the South Calgary Community Association, 3130 16 St. S.W.

"We want to talk about how we can make Calgary a beacon of hope for the future," says Keith Newman, one of the event's organizers.

"More and more immigrants are coming to Calgary and it's natural for them to mix with their own people. But we want to start becoming a more inclusive city.

"When we sit down and talk, we find we all want the same things."

The event will include a screening of The Imam and the Pastor. The movie tells the story of Pastor James Wuye and Imam Muhammad Ashafa, who led rival warring militias in Nigeria during the 1990s before they found common ground and forgiveness.

Wuye lost a hand during the pitched battles while Ashafa saw his spiritual mentor and two close friends die.

"Muslims in Canada can sometimes feel like they're under attack because of often-negative press," says Newman.

He hopes larger public meetings like Sunday's will eventually transform into a series of small, in-home gatherings between local Muslims and Christians.

Sunday's meeting is being supported by Initiatives for Change, the Muslim Council of Calgary and the Anglican Diocese of Calgary.

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