Update: July 15, 2008

 

The walkers have now reached Thunder Bay, Ontario. They are walking and climbing through the mountains of Northern Ontario. Walkers are expected to arrive in Kenora, Ontario by July 26, 2008.

 

 

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) -


“My biggest nightmare before I started was Quebec because I do not know French,’’ he said. “I had this big stereotype about francophones and they don’t speak English.

“But I tell you, I got more love in Quebec than any other place. I said to my wife, `If God gives me a little money, I will buy a house in Quebec.’

“They were not able to speak English and I was not able to speak French, but they gave me a very good, warm feeling just through their body language and handshakes.’’

At a pace of about 35 kilometres a day, he hopes to finish his trek in Victoria sometime in October. The walk is taking its toll, however. As he neared Sault Ste. Marie, his right foot was in considerable pain and he was planning to put ice bags on it for relief.

Soharwardy is accompanied by a couple of volunteers, one of whom drives the RV that trails behind him with a sign proclaiming “Multi-faith Walk Against Violence.’’

His journey was more than a year in the planning and he refinanced the mortgage on his Calgary house to cover the $250,000 to $300,000 in expenses.

But he says the sacrifices are worth it and he believes he can reach more Canadians on the walk than he could visiting regular worshippers in churches, mosques and synagogues combined.

“Some people justify violence based on religion. This shows every religion, including Islam, is against violence.’’

In addition to his opportunity to meet and hold rallies with Canadians across the country, Soharwardy is also getting a chance to see the scenery close-up.

“It’s absolutely marvellous. It’s beautiful. There are so many lakes and green lush forest here.
“But then there’s the reality that there are so many mosquitoes and black flies — there are more mosquitoes than Canadians in Canada.’’

 

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Multi-Faith Walk Against Violence

The Walkathon Arrives in Sault Ste Marie

Tomorrow Multi Faith Walk Against Violence will be arriving in Sault Ste Marie, Ontario.  The local interfaith groups have arranged several programs to honour the walkers.  Today a local community leader has arranged a dinner for the walkers at his residence. On Friday, several community leaders will be walking with the walkers to show their support. On Saturday, the walkers will be participating in the International Bridge Walk organized by the Sault International Arts Festival committee. On Sunday, a Music program will be held at the Belleveue Park at 5:00 PM to honour the walkers.  Please note that the walkers will also continue their daily walk along these local programs.  The walkers are expected to reach Thunder Bay by July 16, 2008.

The walkathon members, walking an average of 37 KM per day, are now approaching their 3000 km milestone as they walk through the province of Ontario.  They began their walk on April 20 at the docks of Halifax and will eventually end up in Victoria, B.C. in early November.

The Walk aims to raise awareness about the dangers, and the consequences of using violence to resolve conflicts. The concept of the dignity of life, “Save a life, save humanity”, is sacred to all faiths, and it is this concept which unites their followers.  The Walk is also a graphic representation of the fact that faith and faith leaders, far from being an impediment to conflict resolution, can be a powerful and valuable resource – especially when faith groups work together!

Syed Soharwardy, the leader of the walk, and the founder of Muslims Against Terrorism, has made a commitment to walk the entire length of the route across Canada.  Other faith leaders, who will be joining him along the way, have made their own resolutions as to the distances they will be walking. 

For more general information on the walk - please visit our website: www.walkagainstviolence.com.

Thank you for your attention.

Linda Zachri

Media and Public Relations Coordinator

Multi-Faith Walk Against Violence

Email: lindazachri@shaw.ca

Phone: 1-877-WALK ALL