Interfaith Peace Symposium
The teachings of non-violence in all faiths.
Friday, September 27th, 2019, 7 – 9 PM
As we celebrate International Day of Peace, please join our annual Interfaith Symposium led by a panel of experienced speakers from major faiths reflecting on the importance of non-violence in their respective faiths.
This event is also a part the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi celebrated with India Association of Minnesota (iamn.org) and Twin Cities Non-violent who is organizing 10 days of Non-violence in the Twin Cities (twincitiesnonviolent.org).
There will be panel Q&A in the end.
Speaker Panel for the Symposium
Dr. Shashikant M. Sane, M.D. Fellow of the Academy of Pediatrics, Founding Physicians at the Minneapolis Children’s Hospital in 1972. He was the first Pediatric Radiologist in the region and served as the Chairman & Medical Director of Radiology for 25 years. He and his wife Kumud have been two of the 6 founders of the first Hindu Temple in Minnesota in 1978. He leads Hindu Temple Construction Committee in charge of the creation of the new magnificent temple in Maple Grove. He has been teaching Hindu Scriptures in the U.S.A. for over 50 years and also speaks on Yoga, Meditation, and Universal Spirituality at several college campuses and the universities around the country. He has been actively involved in the interfaith dialog locally and nationally over the past thirty-five years.
S Ram Gada, Electrical &Mechanical Engineer, Shri Gada has nurtured and fostered several communities from their inception and now playing as a mentor and trusted lifetime advisor role in almost all of the foundational communities. Founding member and president of “Gujarati Samaj” 1976-77. The founder of “Jain Center of Minnesota”(JCM). Founder and Honorary Advisor to the India Association of Minnesota. Founder member of School of India for Languages and Culture (SILC) since its inception in 1977. One of the founding members of “Oral History Projects” with Minnesota Historical Society.
Fr. Harry J. Bury, Ph.D. was a Professor Emeritus of Organizational Behavior and Administration at Baldwin Wallace University from 1980–2010 and consulted in the U.S. and numerous other countries. After earning his PhD at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, he became a full professor at Baldwin Wallace University where he taught from 1979 until 2015. Dr. Bury taught as an Adjunct Professor of Systems Management at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio and taught in both the undergraduate and graduate divisions (1979 – present). He is a founder of Twin Cities Non-violence and leading 10 days of Non-violence initiative from Sept 20 – 30. Please visit
Ab Dr. Shafi A. Khaled, Ph.D. In Business and Economics. Labor & Development Economist. Zero Interest Financial System Economist. Essayist and Poet. Executive Secretary, Muslim Community Outreach who has served 19000 meals working with Loaves & Fishes. Founder/President, Totally Personal Total Choice – Standing up to Addiction. Ex-Director, Development & Relief, North American Bangladeshi Islamic Community.
Ms. Zelma Chamberlain, Zelma Pierce Chamberlain M.Ed is a retired educator, with over 20 years experience working with a non-traditional school population. Zelma has been meditating for over 35 years and has found that meditation is key to living a life of peace and love. Coping with stressful situations is not easy however meditation allows her the opportunity to navigate life’s challenges with grace and serenity. Zelma is the National Women’s Retreat Coordinator for a non-profit organization. She facilitates and presents at women’s retreats and workshops around the country teaching a meditative technique that is widely respected and provides numerous benefits. Many have found her presentations direct, engaging and resonating with practical experiences that are enjoyed by all.
(Facilitator) Arvind Naik, MBA, educated as an Electronics Engineer, works as Technology and Business Professional in Minneapolis area. Working with his wife he leads the Science of Spirituality Meditation Center Programs and as a Speaker, Public Relations, and Outreach coordinator. He has been studying a practical form of meditation under a world-renowned spiritual teacher Sant Rajinder Singh Ji Maharaj for over 15 years. He has been conducting talks, classes and workshops on the topic of meditation, where he discusses how incorporating meditation into our daily routine could be life-changing. In his programs, Arvind, explores how this practice can help each of us achieve holistic health physically, mentally, and spiritually. Arvind introduced meditation program at various corporations such as Target, Anthum, Boston Scientific and regularly speaks, conducts meditation talks at local community organizations. Recently he introduced meditation at NAMI & Columbia Heights Police Department as a tool for stress reduction in life and at the workplace. Arvind lives in Minnesota and is married with two teenage sons. Arvind could be reached through email: anaik@sos.org.