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Interfaith Youth Forum - IYF
  • To encourage young generation of all religious backgrounds or of no particular faith to participate in its programs.
  • To teach them how to trust each other and how to promote peace and understanding of each other
  • Not only teach them information about other faiths, but also make them own faith in God stronger!.....................Gary Singh
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Over 120 youth and adults took part in the interfaith Youth Forum on March 13

Los Angeles, March 18, 2011
Dr. Gurpreet Ahuja

Twenty-three teenagers from the Sikh community took place in the 7th Annual Interfaith Youth Dialogue sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Central Orange County on March 13.



The event was a tremendous success, with about 120 high school teens and 25 adults participating in a discussion of the theme the"Environment". Each discussion table group consisted of a teen from each faith, along with an facilitator, coming together to tackle difficult questions regarding their faith's view of nature and the responsibility of their community to protect the environment. There was a presentation on Buddhism and a demonstration of Buddhist prayers, which was enlightening for all who attended. The discussions were stimulating, energetic and productive of interfaith understanding and respect.

In discussing the Sikh approach to the issues presented, the teens had to research and prepare beforehand, advancing their own understanding of their faith. They discussed Baani with references to nature, Sikh Environment Day being celebrated on March 14, and the Eco-Sikh initiative. The youth did an exemplary job of communication in an articulate and respectful manner. Congratulations to the following teens who represented the Sikh community: Anupreet Kaur, Simran Kaur, Seerat Kaur Saini, Simran Kaur Chadha, Navjot Kaur Mehrok, Sharon Kaur Chawla, Roopkamal Kaur, Simron Kaur Kahlon, Jasmine Kaur Kaura, Nimarta Kaur, Taskeen Kaur, Keerit Kaur Kohli, Sukhmani Kaur Charaia, Arjun Singh Ahuja, Gurdev Singh Anand, Angad Singh Gogia, Navdeep Singh Sodhi, Kabir Singh Gogia, Harji Singh Charaia, Veeraj Singh Chugh, Roopinder Singh, Kabir Singh Jhita, Gurveer Singh Dhillon.

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March 12, 2010

Annual Interfaith Youth Forum- 120 high school teens and 25 adults participate

Los Angeles, March 12, 2010
Jasjit Kaur

Twenty-four teenagers from the Sikh community took part in the 6th Annual Interfaith Youth Dialogue sponsored by the Interfaith Council of Central Orange County on March 7.


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The event was a tremendous success, with about 120 high school teens and 25 adults participating in a discussion of the theme "When times get tough, how do people of faith get going?".  Each discussion table group consisted of a teen from each faith, along with an adult facilitator, coming together to tackle difficult questions regarding compassion and righteousness within the context of tough economic times.  There was a presentation on hunger and homelessness in OC, and a challenge to come up with “1 million ideas for compassion” at the end of the program.  At the conclusion, many teens commented that they had noted great similarities in philosophy between the faith groups, with common threads of  moral living and community service.   The discussions were stimulating, energetic and productive of interfaith understanding and respect. Divneet Kaur Wadhwa, who has now participated for several years said, “The Interfaith Youth Dialogue this year provided me with an array of diverse religions to learn about. I not only met new people of my age, but had the chance to spread my knowledge and awareness of my own faith. Along with all of this, me and many others were able to "debunk" myths of other faiths, and truly see them in a new and accepting way.”

      Each year a different house of worship has hosted the event.  This year the event was hosted at the Islamic Institute of Orange County in Anaheim.  For most of the Sikh teenagers (and many parents), this was the first experience at a mosque, with a chance to observe prayers.  This in and of itself was an enlightening part of the day for the teens.  As first-time participant Jiya Bhullar put it, "This was my first year doing the Interfaith Youth Dialogue and it was a really unique experience as we discussed other religions, as well as our own, with other teenagers around our age. It was also interesting to go to the mosque and see their way of conduct." 

In discussing the Sikh approach to the issues presented, the teens had to research and prepare beforehand, advancing their own understanding of their faith.   The youth did an exemplary job of communicating in an articulate and respectful manner.  Teens representing the Sikh community include:  Anupreet Kaur, Divneet Kaur Wadhwa, Simran Kaur, Taskeen Kaur, Jiya Kaur Bhullar, Seerat Kaur Saini, Simran Kaur Chadha, Navjot Kaur Mehrok, Arveen Kaur Dhillon, Sharon Kaur Chawla, Kulreet Kaur Nakai, Arjun Singh Ahuja, Gurdev Singh Anand, Angad Singh Gogia, Kavaldeep Singh, Harsimran Singh Mundi, Sahib Singh Grewal, Jasneet Singh Khaira, Navdeep Singh Sodhi, Kabir Singh Gogia, Harji Singh Charaia, Navroop Singh Sekhon, Rujual Singh Bains, Pranav Singh.

      Given the state of the world in general, as well as the local inter-religious strife at some of our own UC campuses, it seems all the more important to encourage interfaith understanding at as young an age as possible. Event organizer and President of the Interfaith Council of Central Orange County Mike Penn noted “I read recently in a history book that not too long ago boys became men at 16 and girls women at 14 or 15; today it is not until they receive a BA or MA degree.  Our teens can and want to do so much more, more for themselves to stretch and experience and more to make our communities a better place to live.  The Youth Forum is just a first step to help them realize their gifts and the Interfaith Youth Council is the next step to allow them to act on that potential.”   

 

 

 

 

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