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Toronto Devotees Cultivate Meaningful Connections with Gov’t and Religious Leaders in 2024
By ISKCON News   |  Dec 31, 2024
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Vallabh Hari Das (center in purple) with religious leaders at the annual Cardinal’s Dinner in Toronto.

Devotees in Toronto, Canada, have been actively engaging in building relationships with government officials and faith-based organizations throughout 2024. Here are some of the events from the past year, shared by Vallabh Hari Das, who serves as Interfaith Coordinator for the ISKCON Toronto Temple, in addition being the Chair of Reimagining Rath Yatra, and Emcee for major ISKCON events across Canada.

Diwali and Bandi Chhor Celebration at Parliament Hill, Ottawa

Devotees were welcomed to a Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas event hosted at Parliament Hill by the Government of Canada, primarily by members of the Liberal Party. The event, which celebrated the Hindu and Sikh festivals, provided a valuable platform for engaging with numerous members of Parliament and other significant political figures, enhancing ISKCON’s connection with Canadian leadership.

“During the celebrations, our delegation had the opportunity to strengthen relationships with key officials,” said Vallabh Hari Das. “Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland (who recently resigned) recognized our group well, reflecting growing familiarity and rapport. Additionally, we engaged in meaningful dialogue with the Minister of National Defence, Anita Anand, and the Minister of Small Business, Rechie Valdez.” Valdez, known for her “Foodie Friday” initiative, promotes local businesses. She was invited to include Govinda’s Restaurant, expressed genuine interest, committed to considering its inclusion in her program, and even suggested potential collaboration with the tourism department for further promotion.” Vallabh Hari Das is also in contact with the Consulate General of India team, which will be meeting with devotees at the temple soon.

Interfaith Engagements

“This year, we were also involved in several high-profile interfaith gatherings that brought together business, political, and religious leaders in an effort to foster unity and shared values,” said Vallabh Hari Das. “We were represented at Christian, Sikh, and Muslim interfaith dialogues.”

Among the events was the 45th Annual Cardinal’s Dinner, which welcomed more than 1,400 guests from across the Greater Toronto area to the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. The event, hosted by the Metropolitan Archbishop of Toronto, the Most Rev. Francis Leo, gathered leading figures from diverse sectors, providing a space for interfaith dialogue and cooperation. “During this gathering, we began a conversation of possible collaboration with ‘Ripples of Kindness,’ an outreach project focused on food distribution to the homeless in downtown Toronto, furthering our commitment to community service,” noted Vallabh Hari Das.

Toronto devotees also participated in gatherings with the Namdhari Sikh Society and the Ahmadiyya Muslim Society in 2024. “Our group actively participated in both events, which focused on promoting understanding and mutual respect among faith communities,” said Vallabh Hari Das. “These engagements enabled us to deepen interfaith connections and collaborate on shared initiatives for community welfare. Nand Maharaj Das also volunteered to participate in the Ahmadiya Muslim interfaith dialogue. All these interfaith relationships and engagements with government stakeholders are conducted under the aegis of Bhaktimarga Swami, who serves as an inspiration and motivation for us to take action.”

“Our involvement in these political and interfaith platforms continues to strengthen our outreach and build strategic relationships, aligning our efforts with broader community objectives and promoting values of compassion and inclusivity,” concluded Vallabh Hari Das. 

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