World Institute for Peace

Peace is a universal quest. While many wish to attain peace, ideas on peace have remained an intellectual exercise rather than a practical reality. The Institute strives to transform ideas on peace into this practical reality that anyone can implement in their own daily life.

Islam has much to contribute to this quest for peace. The words “peace”, “salam” and “Islam” come from the same root word, “slm”, which means both “give and receive” (Aslama – “he gave”; Tasallama – “he received”). This implies that there can be no peace if there is no give and take.

Through this principle of giving and taking, the World Institute for Peace is the platform to build a greater peaceful co-existence among not only the three monotheistic faith communities but also among all the diverse faith communities represented in Metro Vancouver. The Institute invites people from all walks of life to give and take, to share ideas, to exchange knowledge, and to participate together in interfaith activities so as to form bonds of peace

The Institute is also intended to be an educational site from which to share the beauty of Islam and spread peace. Key highlights are interfaith events, seminars, and a rich library featuring literature on the peaceful co-habitation of Muslims, Christians and Jews in the era of Islamic Spain. Insha’Allah (God-willing) this library will be called the Cordova Library, as it is modelled after the world’s largest library that existed in Spain during that time period.

2008 Interfaith Open House – “Way of Abraham”

2007 Interfaith Open House – “Muhammad”