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Seminar aims to address stereotypes, intolerance in faith by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver 5 | Friday, March 20, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Oakville is a community of tolerance and inclusivity, as evidenced by those who attended the Interfaith Council of Halton's (IFCH) workshop on Wednesday (March 11). The IFCH's seminar, Combating Terrorism From An Interfaith Perspective, was organized to address stereotypes and intolerance in faith, open dialogue among religious leaders and empower participants with the tools to lead similar conversations in other houses of worship, workplaces or homes. The meeting at Oakville's Shaarei-Beth El Congregation, which drew approximately 100 people, included a half-hour open forum with Rabbi Stephen Wise, Dr. Hamid Slimi, president and founder of the Faith of Life Network (FLN), Rev. Dr. Morar Murray Hayes, Maple Grove United Church minister and founding co-chair and executive secretary of IFCH, and Dr. Aliya Khan, professor of clinical medicine at McMaster University. Following the main discussion, attendees were divided into small groups to converse intimately about concerns they have on certain issues. Wise said the objective of the near twohour workshop was to "foster dialogue between a Jew, Christian and Muslim who are strong in their faith and willing to have a conversation about really difficult topics." "After the murders in Paris, France, Copenhagen, Denmark and Ottawa, we (saw) so much violence in these specific hot points. They're kind of ratcheting up the level of intensity, fear, Islamophobia and stereotypes," said Wise. "We said, `Couldn't we bring people together and show them that doesn't have to be the way?' We could have dialogue in a more peaceful way." The rabbi said when people of different faiths meet face-to-face with each other, "it breaks down those walls of stereotypes." "(Khan) is a Muslim of good faith, so as soon as you meet with someone like that and talk to them, look at them face-to-face, ask each other questions and have dialogue, then you break down this sense of us versus them. You go from other to brother," said Wise. Fears and stereotypes of certain faiths can increase when terror-related incidents, such see These on p. 10 Fletcher looks forward to new role continued from p. 4 that police service. "I look forward to building on the service's past achievements in community safety, while encouraging high standards of performance and continuous improvement to meet the demands of the future," he said. Born in Sheffield, England, Fletcher is a long-time resident of Burlington, where he currently resides with his wife Jacquei and their two children. Volunteer When not at work, he coaches youth soccer, supports Special Olympics Ontario events, and is a board member with ROCK, a non-profit organization that serves children and youth with mental health issues. Sore Feet, Sports Injury, Painful Ingrown Toenails? Plantar Warts? We can help! Exceptional footcare for all ages. · Routine footcare · Corns & calluses · Plantar warts · Heel/arch/foot pain · Diabetic footcare and education · Thick or ingrown nails · Nail surgery · Sports related foot problems & injuries · Custom made orthotics · Sigvaris® compression stockings · Evenings and saturday appointments available · New patients welcome! J. Richard Werkman chiropodist THE GYM NAUTILUS Est. 1982 Convenient, clean, and friendly. We're Oakville's best kept secret! High quality weight training and Nautilus cardio equipment. Experienced and mature personal trainers. Carpeted, air conditioned with ample natural light from large windows. Free indoor parking. Spring into Spring with healthy feet! located on the north/west corner of maple grove dr. and cornwall rd. 1495 Cornwall Rd., Suite 33, Oakville T: 905-845-4817 www.werkman.ca Trial Offer: 3 FREE workouts with a trainer! 11 Lakeshore Road West, Oakville, ON www.thegymnautilus.com 905-844-1610 For our clients, their guests and prospective clients Oakville Museum presents Lunch, Learn & Enjoy Oakville's Early History Presented by: Michael Brown Fewer ewer "selfies". sel More self- esteem, self - worth and self- discipline. Nowadays, kids are more preoccupied with posting selfies than with posting good grades. At Fern Hill we help students focus on more worthwhile pursuits. We provide a safe and supportive environment where students can step out of their comfort zone in order to step into their passions. Tuesday, April 7 · 12 - 1pm Holiday Inn: 590 Argus Road, Oakville (Southwest of Trafalgar Road and the QEW) Book your tour today. fernhillschool.com RSVP 905.842.2100 ext. 2