Update: October 28, 2008

 

Yesterday the historic Multi Faith Walk Against Violence reached its final destination, Victoria, British Columbia where a closing ceremony for the cross country walk against violence was held at 3:00 pm at the Parliament Building. 

 

The walkers, lead by Imam Syed Soharwardy, completed more than 6,500 km of their cross-country walk. The walkers began their walk on April 20^th at the docks of Halifax and on October 27 they ended their walk in Victoria by dipping their feet in the Pacific Ocean.

 

On October 27, 2008 at about 4:45 PM Imam Syed Soharwardy dipped his shoes in the Pacific Ocean. He is on the phone with Calgary Herald reporter Sean Myers.	Some of the walkers with Imam Syed Soharwardy near the Pacific Ocean.	Cake cutting ceremony at the Intercultural Association of Greater Victoria organized by Canpak Alliance of Victoria.
Imam Syed Soharwardy at the zero mile of TransCanada Highway. He is on the phone with his wife congratulating him on his more than 6500 km walk across Canada.	A cross country cyclist from Victoria who met Imam Syed Soharwardy in Sault St Marie, Ontario attended the closing ceremony at the B.C. Legislature Building in Victoria.  In fact, he promised Imam Soharwardy that he will see him in Victoria when he arrives.	Sheila Flood presents a bouquet to Imam Soharwardy upon the completion of Multifaith Walk Against Violence at the B.C. Legislature.

 

Trek for peace wore out five pairs of shoes

Sean Myers, Calgary Herald

Published: Tuesday, October 28, 2008

He wore out five pairs of shoes, lost more than 10 kilograms and covered 6,470 kilometres on foot.

But as Syed Soharwardy dipped his feet in the Pacific Ocean near Victoria's Terry Fox statue on Monday, he was most proud of the fellow walkers he attracted to his six-month odyssey for peace.

"I feel a sense of relief and sense of accomplishment," said the Calgary imam. "I have had so many people of different faiths with me. We've had Christians, Buddhists, Unitarians and people of the Jewish community. This is exactly what I wanted to do."

Soharwardy set out from Halifax on April 20 on his cross-Canada Multifaith Walk Against Violence.

Covering an average of 35 to 45 kilometres a day, the Calgary Muslim leader wanted to grab the attention of Canadians and unite them in a common purpose, to end violence.

"I heard voices of support all along the way," said Soharwardy. "In every town and every city, people came out and testified their support and walked with me for a kilometre or two."

He said he's had people of all ages, from young children to senior citizens, come out to join him. About 200 people turned up at the B.C. legislature for the walk's closing ceremony on Monday.

Soharwardy said the movement to end violence won't stop with the completion of the walk. He and his supporters are planning to set an annual day to celebrate the end of the journey with smaller walks in cities and towns across Canada.

One of the most useful results of his trek has been the establishment of a communications network between religious institutions, he said.

"Now I have a network of connections across the country between synagogues, mosques, churches and temples," said Soharwardy. "It will be much easier to set up conference call meetings to discuss common issues."

After more than six months on the road, Soharwardy says what he now looks forward to most is reuniting with his family.

"I just got a phone call from my wife, that was highest point of my day," he said, noting he'll return to Calgary today. "It's been a big sacrifice for my children and my wife."

smyers@theherald.canwest.com.

 

Islamic leader walks the peace walk across Canada

He's done a lot of talking -- speaking out against violence -- along the way

Katherine Dedyna, Times Colonist

Published: Sunday, October 26, 2008

An Islamic leader who mortgaged his house to walk across Canada in the cause of non-violence is striding toward Victoria after six months on the road.

"We should be in Victoria on [Monday] and we are looking forward to people of all faiths, all Canadians, to come and join us during our walk," said Imam Syed Soharwardy. He remains passionate about his Multifaith Walk Against Violence, but in a cellphone interview at the 5,945-kilometre mark near Kelowna, admitted he was glad it's nearly over.

Since Soharwardy, the founder of Muslims Against Terrorism, began walking April 20 in Halifax, he has encountered everything from a large bear to tornado territory, suffered severe heat stroke and lost nearly 10 kilograms.

The closing ceremony -- a multifaith gathering -- is slated for 3 p.m. at the B.C. legislature and all are welcome.

"It seemed fitting that at the end of the multifaith march, the (Victoria) Multifaith Society should be there to greet him," said chair Karima Ramji, although the groups are not related. Also on hand will be the Raging Grannies, classical accordianist David Bryan Person of Cobble Hill and singer Kathryn Whitney.

"Even to drive, that's a long way, let alone walk -- so obviously he's someone who's really very committed to raising public awareness and that's a good thing," said Sheila Flood, a member of the Saanich Baha'i community.

Soharwardy said the "high point" has been meeting Canadians who unburdened themselves about how violence has affected their lives and encouraged him to keep going.

The walk is about changing people's opinions about violence, he said. "We have to stand up and say, no this is not acceptable.

"This walk is not about one faith or one group of people; this is a walk of all Canadians and people of all faiths coming together and saying that violence has no place in any religion, including Islam, of course."

The constant feedback elates him, such as "amazing scene" at a construction site where about 30 workers stopped work and came over to talk, shake hands and accept souvenir shirts.

It's all "very motivating" to keep up the 32 kilometres he covers a day -- down from 40-plus on the Prairies.

"People are honking and waving -- this morning there were three people who joined us for shorter distances," said the 53-year-old information technology consultant from Calgary. Outside Enderby, a young fellow asked, "Is your walk against child abuse, too? And I said, 'Yes, absolutely -- all forms of abuse and violence.' And he started crying."

Occasionally, people have run out of their houses to hand him cheques for $100. One was a low-income, elderly woman in the Maritimes who told him he had to keep the cheque for a month until she had money in the bank.

He has seen changes of heart both by victims of violence who have committed to stand up to abuse and by others determined to stop using violence to resolve problems -- but he also urges people to seek help from counsellors.

Soharwardy's walk had its roots in a meeting of an inter-faith group two years ago, where participants voiced dismay about rising violence. He suggested a walk emulating Terry Fox to get in touch with ordinary people about the dangers of violence. Unable to find a sponsor, he mortgaged his house and took a leave of absence from work.

There were times he wasn't sure he would make it. One June day, when it was pushing 40 degrees in Toronto, he suffered heat stroke, requiring paramedics' assistance. Sick for a week, he thought God wanted him to stop. But his wife wanted him to go on, and after a few days of rest, he was back on track.

Stopping at the Terry Fox memorial for a multifaith gathering near Thunder Bay was one of the most poignant times on the trip. Even a self-identified pagan joined the circle to share how inspirational Fox was.

Near Ignace, Ont., a huge black bear appeared between him and the recreational vehicle -- "we were scared to death" -- but it soon ambled out of sight.

Rev. Mac Elrod, a retired Unitarian minister, is "thrilled" that Soharwardy's walk is terminating in Victoria, underscoring that faiths in general and Islam in particular are opposed to violence and "to the use of religion as an excuse for violence."

Baha'i Flood thinks the image of Islam has been "dragged in the dirt," in recent years. "It seems unfair because the majority of Muslims are peace-loving and from our study of their holy writings, it's clear that violence is not supported."

Kdedyna@tc.canwest.com

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/life/story.html?id=6cbffa2a-88a7-49d0-90ad-629f2886b75b

Syed Soharwardy walked through Vancouver nearing the end of this cross-country odyssey which started in Halifax in April. (Rob Kruyt, 24 hours)

 

Lacing up for a cause

By DHARM MAKWANA, 24 HOURS VANCOUVER

Date:  October 27, 2008

Syed Soharwardy wants to stamp out violence and the best way he thought he could do that was with his own feet.

The Calgary-based Imam is mere kilometres away from completing his cross-country Multi-Faith Walk Against Violence today.

"Violence has no place in our religions," Soharwardy said. "Violence has no place in our homes. Violence has no place in our communities."

The IT specialist took a nine-month leave of absence and mortgaged his home to finance the trek he said costs upwards of $300,000.

Flanked by supporters since leaving Halifax April 20, Soharwardy walked up to 40 kms a day.

The walk ends today in Victoria. For more info on the walk, go to www.walkagainstviolence.com

Anti-violence campaign takes it to the road
By SCOTT TRUDEAU
Penticton Herald

 

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

 

A nation-long walk to bring attention to the grievous violent acts in today’s society passed through the South Okanagan Monday.

Syed Soharwardy and Haris Saleh of Calgary have completed more than 6,000 kilometres of their cross-Canada journey which began on the docks of Halifax on April 20 of this year.

Soharwardy, 53, who is the founder of Muslims against Terrorism, said the idea to embark on the Multi-Faith Walk against Violence to shine the light on various types of domestic violence, child and spousal abuse was sparked by an inter-faith discussion group.

Speaking from a rest stop on Highway 97 south of Penticton, Soharwardy noted response from the people has been "very positive" as it has been during their time on the road.

He recalled an elderly fellow with a B.C. flag on his van that stopped the two of them earlier in the day.

"He stopped and said ÔI wanted to greet you guys because you’re going through my area,’" said Soharwardy adding they’ve received numerous horn honks and salutations from those supporting their cause.

Soharwardy said he felt that walking across the country was one of the most effective and peaceful ways of raising awareness about the dangers and consequences of using violence as a means of conflict resolution.

However because he was unable to secure any form of sponsorship or financial donations to get the walk moving he took a leave of absence from his job and secured a mortgage on his house, funding it out of his own pocket.

"I’m quite passionate about it," he said. "And when you are passionate, you take action," he said.

Saleh wanted to be a part of the walk because he felt overwhelmed about the way violence is depicted in the media, on TV and in video games.

"It’s a disturbing trend across the world," said Saleh. "There are many other ways and means of resolving issues."

The 32-year-old said aside from the challenge of the walk itself, he’s also found it to be rewarding, energizing and fulfilling.

The pair joked that the greatest obstacle they’ve encountered up to this point was in Northern Ontario when they nearly came face-to-face with a bear.

Following close behind on the roadways during their trek is Montreal resident Zaheer Sheikh who sits behind the wheel of the motorhome where the men rest and re-energize. The men have averaged anywhere from 30 to 45 kilometres per day and they’ve managed to wear out nine pairs of shoes.

On Monday they enjoyed a Thanksgiving dinner in Olalla before hitting the trail again today.

When the walk wraps up about the end of October, Soharwardy said he plans to establish a group specifically to address issues around using violence as a form of conflict resolution. He would also like to set aside one day to hold an annual walk in other Canadian cities.

To find out more or make a donation to the walk visit www.walkagainstviolence.com.

 

Walking with faith

 

Calgary leader continues cross-country trek against violence

 

Sun, September 7, 2008

By KATIE SCHNEIDER, SUN MEDIA

Plagued with killings and gunplay, this crime-ridden summer in Calgary is pushing a local Muslim leader to finish his trek across the country in his Multi-faith Walk Against Violence.

After walking more than 5,300 km through seven provinces, or about 45 km a day, during the cross-country walk he is leading, Imam Syed Soharwardy arrived in Calgary on Thursday and yesterday addressed a forum of other faith leaders at Eau Claire Market.

There he spoke to members of all religions about the walk, which began April 20 in Halifax and is scheduled to end in Victoria by the end of October, that has drawn attention to the fact violence does not stop at geographic borders.

"The reaction has been overwhelmingly positive," he said. "Violence is the biggest issue of our time and people wave, honk and shout 'thank you' and 'good luck.'

"It's a common theme on a daily basis in all provinces."

While Soharwardy has been away, 17 homicides have occurred in Calgary alone, adding to an already violent summer in Canada.

"When I was in Winnipeg, Tim McLean was slaughtered in a Greyhound bus ... it happened near where I was," he said. "Violence is rising in Calgary, as well -- (while) it does create a lot of despair, it gives me a lot of hope there is a need to do this kind of project."

And that reinforces his need to keep taking strides against violence during the walk.

"It shows all Canadians should stand up and stop it before it gets worse," he said. "It pushes us more because it strengthens our resolve ... it impacts every one of us."

Talking the Walk Against Violence

Muslim cleric attracts multifaith support.

Dateline: September 08, 2008

by Penney Kome

WWW.StraightGoods.CA

Imam Syed Soharwardy is no stranger to controversy. But the most public and sustained action he has ever taken, has aroused remarkably little attention. Since April 20, he has been walking across Canada to encourage leaders of all kinds of faith communities to speak out against violence. And leaders of all kinds of faith communities have been coming out to support him.

As the Imam's Walk Against Violence passed through Calgary — his home town — he was feted at a public gathering that featured brief talks or letters from representatives of the Jewish, Sikh, Cambodian Christian and Buddhist, Anglican, Unitarian, and United Church communities, as well as social workers dealing with immigrant and especially African communities.

"Violence only occurs when there is a power struggle," observed Dr Harjot Singh. "Sikhs have faced discrimination and violence" in pursuing their faith, she said. "The aim of this walk is to bring dialogue about violence, to deal with it on the individual level first, and then at the community, nation and world levels."

"I grew up in a country that experienced war," said social worker Pol Ngeth, originally from Cambodia, "and I work with newcomers fleeing from wars. Unhealed trauma can lead to violence."

"Children who witness abuse are wounded for life," said Dean Robert Pynn, a retired Anglican Archdeacon, pointing out that such children are liable to repeat the abusive behaviour when they become parents. Pynn and Soharwardy both serve on the Board of the Alliance Against Violence.

Pynn also helped create Homefront, an agency that works with families dealing with domestic violence, and that focuses on the offender. "We've reduced recidivism by two-thirds," he said. An allied agency is Faithlink, which links clergy with social workers.

"In one survey, sixty percent of those asked said they would call on their faith community for help," in event of domestic violence, said Linda White, Executive Director of the (Calgary) Alliance Against Violence. Hence, the need for organizations that provide resources for faith communities who need to help community members dealing with family violence.

"No one in the world wants family violence," The Venerable Keo Hong (a Buddhist leader) said through his translator and assistant, Chang Son. "We must seek peace in ourselves to achieve peace in the world."

Soharwardy is the founder of two Canadian organizations, the Islamic Supreme Council and Muslims Against Terrorism, but is perhaps best known for having brought a Human Rights Commission complaint against Western Standard publisher Ezra Levant, for re-printing the Danish cartoons about Islam that caused riots in Europe.

Soharwardy withdrew his complaint in late 2007, in the spirit of forgiveness associated with Christmas and the Muslim holiday Eid al Adh-ha. Interestingly enough, the purchaser and new publisher of the Western Standard personally called Soharwardy and apologized for the cartoons and especially for the vitriolic comments and death threats that readers posted to the Western Standard comments section.

Syed Soharwardy also serves on the Board of the Calgary Action Committee Against Violence, founded in 1991, which is about to re-launch as the Alliance Against Violence. At a Board meeting last fall, when people were brainstorming ways to raise awareness of the causes and effects of violence, he suggested a cross-Canada walk, something like what Terry Fox did.

"Everyone thought it was a great idea," he said, "but nobody wanted to do it." So Soharwardy went home and re-mortgaged his house to pay for the trip and the motor home that accompanies him. On April 20, he dipped his feet in the Atlantic Ocean in Halifax.

He intends to keep walking until he can dip his feet again in the Pacific Ocean in Victoria, probably on October 28. September brings a double challenge, because he must fast and observe the religious duties associated with Ramadan.

The Very Rev Robert Pynn has accompanied Soharwardy on parts of the journey. He said, "I want to thank Syed for revealing to us the heart of Islam. Syed says there is no place for violence in religion."

Soharwardy said that he has been gratified by the positive reception he has found almost everywhere. "People were friendly even in Quebec, where 'reasonable accommodation' was a hot issue at the time," he said. "Also, I went through a lot of reserves. The young people would wait by the side of the road to give us water."

No matter what the Walk costs him — and he is still hoping that donations will cover most of the finances — Soharwardy still thinks the Walk makes an important statement. "Canadians have a special duty to speak out against violence," he said, "because we are a peaceful people."

Penney Kome is an award-winning author and journalist who has published six books with major publishers. She is also the Editor of Straight Goods.

 

Walking West with the Multifaith Walk

 

Date: September 9, 2008

 

By Linda Zachri

 

And so the walk continues.  Today the walkers reached Banff and on the 12th they expect to cross the border into B.C. (We hope for good weather so they can enjoy their walk through such a picturesque part of Canada.)  Tomorrow the walkers plan to interrupt their walk to observe a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the attack on September 11, 2001. 

 

October 28 is still the designated date for the walk to arrive in Victoria, B.C.  For the present, the walkers will continue on Highway 1 and then switch to Highway 97 to Kelowna.  Just as I was talking to Syed Soharwardy today, the walkers were approached by a fellow traveller.  I heard a man’s voice asking them if they accepted donations.  Later, Syed informed me that the generous man was a Japanese Canadian who had taken the time to catch up with the Walk in order to express solidarity for their cause.  He reminded Syed of a fact that many of us have forgotten. In the early part of the 20^th century, the Japanese Canadians, were considered a “model minority”.  They were praised for their honesty and industriousness, but all this changed in the 1940’s when they became a demonized group subjected to forced internment, the loss of their hard-earned possessions, and incidents of violence.  The demonization of this particular group lasted long after World War II.  I remember cartoons featuring unpleasant caricatures of Japanese on television well into the 1950s.  At our Interfaith/Anti-violence forum held at the Eau Claire Market in Calgary on September 6.  Dr. Chang Han Kim spoke of the violence which often ensues when we divide the world into “us” and “the others”, and how the designation of any group as “the others” can leave them susceptible to acts of violence. (The full text of Dr. Kim’s talk is attached to this message)

 

Given the right (or the wrong) conditions.  Anyone can become a victim of “otherness” - even groups normally considered part of mainstream society.  On July 27 of this year, a gunman went on the rampage in a Unitarian church in Knoxville, Tennessee.  Two people were killed and 7 injured by this deranged man who apparently had a problem with “liberals” and deemed the Unitarians to be members of this particular group of “others”.  We would like to thank Reverend Margaret Roberts for her generous donation to the walk on behalf of the victims of the Knoxville attack. 

 

The Walk has shared Highway 1 with a surprising array of other walkers.  Yesterday a homeless man abandoned his cart, to cross the road and meet the walkers.  He had walked from the Vancouver, pushing a shopping cart with his possessions.  Somehow he had kept up with the news and heard of the Multifaith Walk, so he had taken the time to come up for a chat and to give the walkers some timely travel advice.  This incident reminded me that the homeless are also frequent targets of violence because of their designation of “otherness” – even in well-to-do cities like Calgary.

 

The Calgary walk took place from September 4 to September 7.  The Interfaith forum mentioned earlier was held on September 6 in the downtown area at Eau Claire Market  in the heart of Calgary.  The forum opened with the reading of a letter from the Jewish Community Council expressing solidarity, kudos and encouragement to Syed Soharwardy and the other walkers.  Although the Sabbath had prevented them from being present at Eau Claire, they still took the time to send us some warm thoughts and we thank them!  Faith group representatives from the Sikh, Buddhist, Unitarian, Islamic. Anglican and other Christian churches, and the Unitarian church were in attendance that day.  Included among the speakers were:

Dean Robert Pynn - Anglican
Syed Soharwardy - Islamic
Dr. Harjot Singh - Sikh
The Venerable Keo Hong and assistant Chang Son - Khmer Buddhist
Linda White - Alliance to End Violence - Interfaith
Karla Cote - (working with the immigrant community, presently helping abused women and isolated elders)
Rev. Tara Livingston - Anglican
Keith Newman (Project Ploughshares)
Pol Ngeth - social worker with immigrants involved in situations of family violence
Augusta Ugoala - children's services
Dr. Chang Han Kim – from Korea, presently studying at the University of Calgary
The Raging Grannies (led by O.J. Zawalsky) - local colour
Dr. David Swann (MLA for Calgary Mountain View)
Rob Anderson (MLA for Airdrie-Chestermere)

 

Dean Pynn has been described as ‘The Heart and Soul of the Domestic Violence Sector’.  He was one of the principle “movers and shakers” in the establishment of the Alliance to End Violence that has brought together four agencies into a new collaborative organization.   He is also a board member of HomeFront and a co-founder of FaithLink whose mission is to build bridges of collaboration and resource sharing between Calgary’s spiritual/religious communities and the domestic violence treatment and prevention services.   Anti violence organizations have a very challenging situation in our home province.  According to Pol Ngeth, Alberta has the highest rate of reports of family violence in Canada and leads the country in domestic assaults, homicide, suicide, gangs and violence.

 

Ms. Zawalsky is a formidable walker who accompanied Syed and the others along the Calgary route for three days.  She also makes a fine fashion statement with her Raging Granny ensemble, completed by a hat with flowers, a butterfly and buttons reminding us to protect our dear Mother Earth, because it is the only planet with chocolate!  I wish I could describe in detail the costumes of all the Grannies, but I’m afraid I could not do them justice.  They showed up, sang their songs (each song with a story behind it) and formed an honour guard behind Dr. Swann, who said he considered himself an honourary Granny.  Dean Pynn reminded us that all religions have the potential to be misused when “religious followers” commit acts of violence in the names of their faiths. However, at the core of all major religions there is an abhorrence of violence which makes them more similar than different. The Venerable Keo Hong reminded us that in order to overcome violence in the world, we must not neglect the quest for peace within ourselves.   We may, indeed, protest violence toward others, but how often have we thought of the little acts of everyday cruelty and name calling we often subject ourselves to.  It may be that those who are least tolerant towards themselves and their own imperfections are also markedly intolerant towards others.

 

Before I finish this rather rambling message, I would like to take a moment to thank the following Calgary - Banff walkers:

Dr. Michael Prior and Mrs. Prior

Keith Newman

Joy Newman

OJ, Zawalsky

Darshan Sing Khang, MLA

Abdul Rahman Mohsin (student from Jordan at U of C)

Daryl, Kyle and Dan

Jessie Singh

David and Carla

Malik Ashraf and family – including Malik’s Mother-in-law

Abdul Hameed Khan and family

Haris Saleh

Shehzada Hameed and family

Muhammad Tariq and family

Muhammad Rehan

Ali Shah

Rao Suhaib

John Witter and family

 

I would also like to thank RV Driver: Sheikh Zaheer Ahmed (from Montreal) for driving the RV for the past three weeks and Victor Tucker for joining the walkers and for taking the time to make some champion photographs!

Adieu for now and Walk in Peace

 

Linda Zachri

Media and Public Relations Coordinator

Calgary imam's cross-Canada walk reaches Alberta

Calgary Herald

Published: Friday, August 29, 2008

Calgary Imam Syed Soharwardy reached an emotional milestone in his cross-Canada Multi-Faith Walk Against Violence on Thursday.

At 7:30 a.m., Soharwardy crossed the Saskatchewan-Alberta border, setting off an impromptu celebration.

"It was absolutely the greatest feeling I've had during the whole walk," said Soharwardy, 53. "I felt like I was coming home."

Soharwardy began his walk April 20 in Halifax and has since covered more than 5,000 kilometres. He's hoping the walk draws attention to the scourge of violence, both in domestic and international settings.

"I'm expecting a number of pastors and lay people from Christian churches in the Medicine Hat and Redcliff areas to join me walking," he said.

The imam is targeting a Calgary arrival for next Thursday. Representatives from a number of city faith communities are expected to join him as he nears the city limits.

An interfaith rally is planned for Sept. 6 outside the Eau Claire Market.

Cross-country trekkers mending the world their way

Naomi Lakritz, Calgary Herald

Published: Friday, August 15, 2008

Last week, a letter writer asked what Calgary imam Syed Soharwardy thinks he can possibly accomplish with his cross-Canada multi-faith walk against violence. The writer suggested that Soharwardy is wasting his time, because violent people couldn't care less about his walk or what he has to say on the subject.

Soharwardy isn't the only person with a cause who is trekking across the country just now. In fact, he may very well have crossed paths somewhere along the way with Ramesh Ferris, who started in Victoria (Soharwardy's journey began in Halifax), and passed through Ottawa this week on his Cycle to Walk.

Ferris's cause is polio and his aim is to "raise funds and awareness to forward the global eradication of polio, to educate about the continuing need for immunization against polio and to support the rehabilitation of polio survivors in poor countries." Ferris, 28, is a polio survivor adopted from India in 1982 by Canadian parents. He walks with crutches and braces, and is travelling across Canada on his 27-speed hand cycle, as he can't pedal in the conventional way.

Some cross-Canada trekkers aren't even Canadian. Ming Jiing Hsieh, who is from Taiwan, is cycling across Canada to raise money for international disaster relief, which is being channelled through World

Vision. Hsieh, heading east, recently reached Stonewall, Man., around the same time Soharwardy was traversing the area. Meanwhile, in June, Amherstburg, Ont., residents Greg Mailloux and Vin Heney left Victoria to cross Canada on their bikes to "promote environmental sustainability and raise funds for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada."

Some people might say that what Terry Fox started with his Marathon of Hope in 1980 has gotten to be a bit much, what with all this criss-crossing of Canada in the name of countless worthy causes. That's a jaded way to look at it. The other way is to ask "what if?" What if Terry Fox had lain in bed and said to himself, "I can't be bothered. Nothing will come of it anyway. What good will it do?"

Reached on his cellphone Wednesday as he was preparing to cross the Manitoba border into Saskatchewan, Soharwardy recalled the emotional moment he spent at Terry Fox's statue the day he passed through Thunder Bay, Ont..

"There were nine or 10 people there -- Unitarian, Jewish, Buddhist. We all stood near the statue. It brought some sort of feeling in our heart to think of this young guy who stood up to cancer. We are trying to walk in his shoes," Soharwardy said.

What Terry did, what Soharwardy is doing, what all these people who run, cycle, walk or otherwise travel the Trans-Canada Highway for a particular cause do, is called tikkun olam in the Jewish faith.

Tikkun olam means mending the world and Jews believe everyone has a duty to do this. It's an obligation to do constant mending to keep the world from falling into greater disrepair -- to put good back in, to fill the spaces where pain, injustice and other evils might otherwise take root.

"We can't eliminate violence, but we can reduce it," Soharwardy said. He was a few kilometres west of Winnipeg when he heard about the killing of Tim McLean on a Greyhound bus just ahead on the Trans-Canada, near Portage la Prairie. Someone asked him if he was embarrassed by the irony of his walk against violence being in proximity with this terrible crime -- didn't it prove the fruitlessness of his venture?

"I was not embarrassed. I felt despair and hope. The killing of this young man strengthens my resolve," Soharwardy said. He sees it like this: When we say or do nothing, when we simply absorb violence out of fear, as when the victims of domestic abuse are afraid to expose their abusers, then we are enabling more violence.

"To stop violence, to not accept violence -- one person has to stand up and speak against it," he said.

In one aspect, Soharwardy agrees with the letter writer. "We're not able to change the whole world," he said. But he feels that if he's changed one person, enabling that individual to say no to whatever form of violence he or she may be personally experiencing, then his walk is a success. That's tikkun olam. You do what you can. As Ming Jiing Hsieh told the weekly Stonewall Argus about his disaster relief cycling tour: "If I can help people, that's happiness."

Where else but Canada does an imam walk across the country, practising a tenet of the Jewish faith? Some days, it seems like peace may not be such an impossible dream after all.

Prairie Preacher

By: Shawn Ankenmann, Brandon, Manitoba

http://westmanpreacher.blogspot.com/

Journeying ...

Every once in a while you meet someone who leaves an indelible impression upon you ... in memorials I have often used a reading from Jacob the Baker by Noah benShea that tells of a proud and arrogant man coming to the humble and quiet Jacob in his bakery.

The man says - "Jacob, I want my life to leave an impression on others ..."

Jacob continues working preparing his bread and says, "All life leaves an impression ... for we are God's finger prints ..."

Like all good rabbinic stories, we don't know what the man did with the lesson, nor do we know what others will do with it, we can only use the lesson to reflect on it for ourselves and consider how we will LIVE out the lesson ...

For me, I frequently think about the HOW of my life leaving impressions on others ... Taking the role of being God's presence in the world is an awesome responsibility - one I've always taken seriously. I have been far from perfect, and I've made more than my share of mistakes, but my heart has always been yearning to leave a good and faithful impression on others, even in those moments when my enthusiasm has gotten ahead of myself ...

This past week I was both blessed and privileged to meet a gentleman who has embodied in a very real way the concept of being God's finger print in the world ...

Syed Soharwardy is a gentle soft spoken man with a steely resolve, a gentle humour and a deep faith-filled wisdom that he willingly shares with anyone who takes the time to stop and talk with him, or even better, to walk along the side of the highway with him ...

Yesterday morning, I very briefly accompanied him as he began his daily walk ... we chatted briefly before I bid him well for the day and we departed ... watching him walk along the margin of the Trans Canada Hwy left me with the realization that my life is better for having shared, even briefly, in this remarkable man's journey ...

Syed is not looking for money ... he is not looking for fame ... he is looking for like minded people who share is abhorrence of violence, and who, like him want to see our world become a better place with more than just an absence of conflict and violence ... in the fullest spirit of Shalom/Salaam/Peace, Syed seeks a God given peace that surpasses all understanding, and transforms our world into the place, God willing it could and should be ...

One step at a time, this gentle man is doing his part ... and he is inspiring others to do the same ...

Thanks for stopping by Syed ... it was good to meet you ... and it was a joy and a treat to host you and Hassaan, Yassir and Haris in my home ... Go with God !!

Last night's dinner ...

The menu was a selection of vegetarian, Halal (Islamic Kosher), and Celiac appropriate foods:
- spinach salad with fresh strawberries, kiwi, and almonds with a lemon-honey dressing
- tabhouli made with brown rice rather than bulgar
- five bean salad
- bean casserole with cheese and tomato sauce
- garden fresh yellow beans in dill
- hummus
- baba ghanouj
- fresh fruit
- baked wild BC salmon in a brown sugar, soya sauce and onion glaze

The guests were Syed Soharwardy and his three travelling companions on the Multi-faith Walk against Violence, as well as my co-worker and her son.

Syed, Hassaan, Yasir and Haris came for dinner and a visit before we headed down town for a planned gathering at Brandon's Helping Hands Soup Kitchen to help spread the word of his cross Canada walk to raise awareness on the issue of violence of EVERY kind in our world ...

The conversation around a tiny very CROWDED living room was delightful ... nine people packed in a space that is 10' x 12' could have been uncomfortable, but a good time was had by all ... and no one left the table with an empty tummy .

Downtown after dinner, Syed did interviews with a variety of media outlets in the Brandon area before heading to the City Hall grounds to participate in the vigil to honour Tim McLean ...

Best Wishes Syed, on your walk, and on raising awareness of this important issue ..

A gift of peace over lunch ...

Today for lunch The Brandon Rotary Club hosted Syed Soharwardy as their guest speaker. Syed along with Hassaan, Yasir, and Haris, came and shared reflections on his journey and answered some questions from the assembled group.

Along the way he commented that he believes that:

- we live in a very blessed country with strong feelings of meaning and harmony no matter where you are, and that Canadians have been blessed by God/Allah with understanding, tolerance and a caring acceptance of others, even those who are different

- we live in a great nation

- the greatest cause of violence is the simple lack of communication - between parents, between parents and children, and between people

- that if we are to have an end to violence we must begin with peace in our home that comes from peace in our hearts, and the peace in our homes will create peace in our communities, and peace in our communities will create peace in our world - between nations and people, and it all depends upon peace in our hearts

- the biggest single cause of violence in our world is ignorance and ILLITERACY - he noted that many in our world act from hate because they are unable to experience the fullness of life offered through literacy ... I commented to a fellow Rotarian that Syed's view fits well with the emphasis of Rotary International on Literacy ...

In the tradition of sharing a meal - a custom that unites all of humanity - Syed and his team came and sat at table with The Brandon Rotary Club and shared his experiences, and offered his wisdom and humour, and continued on his walk westward - promoting the cause of non-violence with each step.

And I for one am glad that along the way he stopped long enough to form a new friendship - one I will cherish ... I wished the men well on their journey and left them with the offer of a place to stay if they happen back this way again ... I hope they do ...

In the meantime - for more on Syed, and his journey and the cause of Stopping Violence - check out some of the links below:

The CBC story that started this ALL (click here)

The web page of the Multi-faith walk against violence (click here)

A matter of faith

Walking Canada

Walking it off

One man's statement against violence and stereotype

Friday, August 1, 2008

By Teenaz Javat, CBC News

"Walking is a very good exercise, and that is exactly what I am doing for my physical and spiritual well-being."

With those words, Syed Soharwardy began his Multi-Faith Walk Against Violence in April 2008. What makes this walk different is that it is 6,800 kilometres long and stretches five time zones across Canada — from Halifax, N.S., to Victoria, B.C.

Syed Soharwardy in June 2008 during the Ontario leg of his 6,800 km journey across Canada. (Photo courtesy of Syed Soharwardy)

It also appears to be a deeply personal journey. An active member of Calgary's interfaith community, Soharwardy is not soliciting support or donations for any particular cause as he makes his way across the country.

A married father of two teenagers, he has remortgaged his Calgary home to help pay for this adventure, and all he seems to be seeking out along the way are like-minded people with whom to share his views and talk about their commonalities.

"My grandfather was a mufti (high priest) in Kashmir, and my father was a religious leader in Pakistan," Soharwardy says. "Though I have never faced persecution, I have personally witnessed so much violence in these two regions, and I have made it my mission to stop violence everywhere, be it in school, bullying, gangs, child abuse, elder abuse, domestic violence or terrorism.

"This walk is my physical and spiritual journey in an attempt at uniting Canadians against all forms of violence."

As of July 27, he had crossed the Ontario-Manitoba border and was closing in on Winnipeg.

Walking for change

The seeds of this journey began about 14 years ago. Having settled in Calgary, Soharwardy says, he gradually grew "upset at the way the Islamic world was publicized by the media, just as one monolithic mass. The diversity in Islam was not recognized simply because people did not know enough about us to form an opinion.

"So, I realized the best way to go about it is to start a group and talk about the similarities that all religions have instead of the differences."

A volunteer imam at Al-Madinah Calgary Islamic Centre, where he often helps organize celebrations of Jewish holidays, Soharwardy was the driving force behind the group Muslims Against Terrorism, which was conceived in 1998 and now has 13 chapters all over the world.

A key factor in Soharwardy's decision to organize the walk, according to long-time friend Linda Zachri, was the December 2007 slaying of a 16-year-old Mississauga girl, allegedly by her father and brother, following what was said to be a dispute over wearing traditional Muslim headdress.

"Syed went on a long fast as a protest not only against what had happened but how the entire Muslim community was being painted with the same brush," said Zachri, who helps Soharwardy with his website.

"He wanted to highlight the fact that people within his community do not seek outside help. It was an intergenerational problem gone awfully wrong, and it was then that he decided to bring an end to all violence front and centre, and what better way than to walk against it."

Remortgaged his house

Holding two master's degrees in the field of information technology and project management, Soharwardy did not wait to raise money from donors.

Instead, he remortgaged his house and used the money to buy an RV so that he could rest in the night while he walked in the day.

"My job in IT feeds me and my family in a physical way, and my walking nurtures me in a profoundly spiritual way," Soharwardy said. "It took me one year to convince my wife that it was a good idea."

As he walks for approximately 40 km a day, his RV is driven by volunteers who fly in from Calgary on a three-week rotation.

"Most of my volunteer drivers are from Calgary. They fly into the city with the nearest airport from where I have stopped to take over from the current driver. As for my walk, a rabbi, a pastor from the Anglican church, a Catholic priest [and] an RCMP [officer] in civilian clothes are among several [people] who have joined me and walked with me," he said.

Warm welcome in Kingston

"The reception I received in Kingston seemed the high point of the walk so far," Soharwardy says. "As I walk, I do not represent any religion. I represent the multi-faith community, so when I reached Kingston, the mayor of Kingston, members of the Jewish, Anglican and Bahai communities all came out to greet me.

"We had a brief ceremony, after which I feel more stronger than ever that together we can fight violence."

The walk commenced in Halifax on April 20, 2008, with Soharwardy dipping his feet into the Atlantic Ocean at Lower Water Street and is to end sometime in October 2008 in Victoria, B.C., when he reaches the Mile Zero marker in Beacon Hill Park in Victoria.

Over the summer, his son is going to join him somewhere in Manitoba. By the time he is scheduled to reach Winnipeg on Aug. 5, he will have covered a distance of 4,000 kilometres.

Slayings stiffen resolve to overcome violence

Muslim leader 'delighted by the reaction I've got'

Graeme Morton, Calgary Herald

Published: Friday, August 01, 2008

The Calgary imam walking across Canada to protest violence says he despairs when he hears of this city's recent spate of homicides and Wednesday's horrific murder on a bus in Manitoba.

But Syed Soharwardy says the disturbing headlines also strengthen his resolve to speak out against violence here and abroad.

"We have to stand up and say we will not accept this trend," said Soharwardy, at home for a brief break from his epic journey, which began April 20 on the Halifax docks.

"Faith leaders have to make this a priority, to talk to their congregations about the issues of violence openly, frankly and frequently," he said.

Soharwardy had completed more than 3,800 kilometres when he stopped earlier this week near Falcon Lake, in eastern Manitoba. He'll fly back to Winnipeg on the weekend and resume his walk Monday morning, joined in August by his 16-year-old son Hassaan.

While he has walked many of those 3,800 kilometres accompanied only by the driver of his support RV, Soharwardy said he was delighted to have been joined briefly by clergy as well as countless strangers from many towns he has passed through.

"It's been very much a learning process as we've gone along. First, we just followed maps. But now we rely on information from local people as to the shortest routes and the best opportunities to meet the most people," said Soharwardy, 53.

"And I've been delighted by the reaction I've got, especially in rural areas and small towns. I thought we might run into a few people who wouldn't like me because of my colour or my religion, but it's all been positive."

Soharwardy has worn out four pairs of walking shoes and lost weight during his three-plus months on the road, but said the only time he considered quitting was after suffering debilitating heat stroke near Barrie, Ont.

"I talked to my wife on the phone and she gently said to me, 'No, just take a couple of days off to rest and keep going,' " he said.

Soharwardy has mortgaged his family home to finance the campaign and says fuel for the RV, which he also uses for accommodation, is gobbling up big chunks of the projected budget.

"We have to fill it up every three days or so at a cost of about $250 to $270," Soharwardy said.

A project manager in civilian life, he has put his career and spiritual leadership role with local Muslims on hold.

"We'll sell the RV at the end of the walk to help cover some costs. There will be debt, but hopefully not too bad," said Soharwardy.

"I had a woman stop and give me a quarter. She said that's all she could afford, but that she supported what I was doing, which touched me."

Soharwardy plans to increase his pace to about 45 kilometres a day across the flat Prairies. He hopes to reach Calgary by early September. He'll be joined by a number of local religious leaders as he nears the city.

The Muslim holy month of Ramadan, when worshippers fast from sunrise to sunset, begins Sept. 2. Soharwardy said he'll have to reassess how he'll be able to keep up a rigorous walk within those requirements. He hopes to complete his walk in late October in Victoria, but that date may be pushed back.

Soharwardy plans to write a book about his experiences on the road and his hopes for a more peaceful world.

"I want to talk about bringing people of faith together in this effort to reduce violence and to live in harmony," said Soharwardy.

"But this walk, being out in nature every day, has also made me a lot more sensitive to the environment. It's a very spiritual thing, to be better connected to this beautiful creation that God has given us."

Taking steps against violence, conflict

Calgary imam spreads message on cross-country walk

Michelle Butterfield, Calgary Herald

Published: Monday, July 14, 2008

Each time Syed Soharwardy speaks to his family in Calgary, he tells them: "Every step I take brings me closer back to you."

Despite missing his wife, children and the comforts of home, step-by-step the imam has been walking across the country; speaking out against violence, and raising awareness about the importance of dialogue in solving conflicts.

Departing Halifax on April 20, he passed the 3,000 kilometre mark on his Multi-faith Walk Against Violence last week, and has faced his fair share of challenges.

"It's been a very interesting journey, so far," said Soharwardy from just outside Nipigon, Ont., on Saturday.

A close encounter with an aggressive bear, a breakdown of their tour vehicle, an injured foot and severe sunstroke have been a few of the minor setbacks, but not enough to stop Soharwardy.

"This is the first time in the history of Canada a Muslim has walked across the country, and that feels pretty special to me," he said.

But it's not the walk itself that holds significance for Soharwardy.

Rather, it's the message he is working to spread, stops along the way, touching the hearts of the people he meets and relaying a message of non-violence and peace among all people -- regardless of religion, race or heritage.

He is not walking to raise money, unlike the hundreds of cyclists and runners he has met along the route.

"We all stand together and I feel it is my job to tell people that."

Much of the time he walks with just one other person -- a volunteer and friend who has joined him -- but often walks a few kilometres with religious leaders, town officials or supportive people he meets along the way.

He has also been greeted along the Trans-Canada Highway by people hoping to help fund the walk.

In Nova Scotia, an older lady was waiting on her front lawn with her chequebook. She approached Soharwardy, explaining that she was a poor woman and could not afford much, but writing him a cheque for $100 and asking that he not cash it for a few weeks so it didn't bounce.

He expects to reach Calgary during the first week of September. He'll sleep in his own bed for a night before continuing to Vancouver.

Calgary imam gets unique perspective of Canadians as he walks across country

 

By Bill Graveland

 

CANADIAN PRESS

 

(June 27, 2008) — Step-by-step, kilometre-by-kilometre a Calgary imam is getting a unique perspective of our country in his multi-faith walk against violence.

Syed Soharwardy, 52, began a cross-country journey from Halifax on April 20.

The founder of the Islamic Supreme Council of Canada and Muslims Against Terrorism decided to do the walk as a protest against all forms of violence, including child and domestic abuse, terrorism, gangs, bullying and elder abuse.

Along the way, he says, he has encountered the good side of Canadians in terms of tolerance and acceptance.

“It is more educational to me than anything else,’’ he said in a telephone interview with The Canadian Press as he reached the outskirts of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.

“It gave me a picture of what Canadians are, what they are all about and they are such a nice people. I did not find a single person who would come to me and say, `You are wrong. You are a Muslim. You are a brown guy. Get out from here.’

“So far, with the journey half over, I have not seen a single (bad) person or had a bad experience.’’
Soharwardy, who was born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan, has been an outspoken critic of international terrorism and any kind of violence. He is also a long-time participant in interfaith groups that share a similar stand against aggression.

 

Harris Saleh (left) and Syed Soharwardy, both from Calgary, make their way across the MacDonald Bridge in Halifax, Sunday, Apr.20, 2008 as part of a Multi-Faith walk against Violence which will take them from Halifax to British Columbia.(THE CANADIAN PRESS/Halifax Chronicle-Herald-Ingrid Bulmer) -

 

He re-mortgaged his house. To take a walk

By Donna Hopper
SooToday.com
Monday, June 30, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

One man’s quest

Cross-country walk against violence begins in Halifax

BY RACHEL MENDLESON , Metro Halifax

April 20, 2008 11:58

 

After engaging in interfaith dialogue for years, Syed Soharwardy took his crusade to the streets of Halifax yesterday, as he set off on a cross-country walk against violence.

“Walking will give me an opportunity to shake hands with people — to go to small towns, sit down with them, eat with them,” he said. “You can’t reach out to people in places of worship only.”

But spreading his message requires more than simply walking the walk. To finance the trek to Victoria, B.C., the 52-year-old Calgary man re-mortgaged his home. Including the purchase of an RV with sleeping quarters, a kitchen and bathroom, he estimates the journey will cost between $200,000 and $300,000.
“Hopefully we will get enough money raised to pay off that loan,” said the IT specialist, at the beginning of a nine-month leave of absence.
The multi-faith initiative, he said, is worth the financial risk. The prevalence of suicide bombings, domestic violence and gang violence across all faiths has touched him deeply.

“Violence takes place in any part of the world, it becomes news, and when you turn on news, it affects you. When you read papers, it affects you,” said the Pakistan-born Soharwardy, who is the founder of Muslims Against Terrorism.

“I think we should do something about it and say this is wrong. Violence is absolutely wrong. No religion endorses violence,” he said.
Soharwardy encourages people from all religions and backgrounds to join him for a portion of the journey.
“This is not just a Muslim walk. This is walk of all faith. This is walk of all Canadians,” he said.
–rachel.mendleson@metronews.ca

 

 

On April 20, 2008 Imam Syed Soharwardy dipped his shoes in the Atlantic Ocean at the docks of Halifax, Nova Scotia.