by Nathalie Thirlwall, Feb. 2007

The Capital Region Interfaith Council (CRIC) is a non-profit organization that was formed in November 1997 by Bern Barrett (Christian), Madhu Sahasrabudhe (Hindu), and Abdul Rashid (Muslim). Bern Barrett who served as the first Chairperson of CRIC.and Madhu Sahasrabudhe subsequently served as President for several years. The three individuals jointly sent a letter to the various faiths in the National Capital region inviting them to send representatives to the first meeting of CRIC to be held at the Unitarian Church on Cleary Street in Ottawa.

The founders along with the faith representatives then set to work to formulate the Council’s Mission Statement and a set of Objectives. The intent of the Mission was to assist the community to know and appreciate the religious diversity and commonality that exists within the region. By way of recognition of its efforts, CRIC has been increasingly invited to participate in or organize celebratory events, thus permitting it to assist a generally secular society to recognize the role that religion can play in creating a peaceful global world and combating religious intolerance. A current list of faith members can be found below.

Interfaith Activities and Milestones

Events that were organized by CRIC, or invited to participate in are included below, along with other significant benchmarks:

1998

  • CRIC and the Christian Council of the Capital Area co-sponsored an inter-faith event, "Faith in the Classroom: A Question of Values" (November 1998).

1999

  • CRIC’s Education Committee met with members of the Ottawa-Carleton District Board of Education. The purpose was to help educate them about the various religions in the Capital region and to offer CRIC as a resource (April 1999).

2000

  • CRIC collaborated with the World Conference of Religions for Peace to host the “Interfaith Celebration of Creation and Culture of Peace” event that was held at St. Paul’s University. Shane Roberts from the United Nations was the guest speaker (January 2000).

  • The CRIC Education Committee gave presentations for the Principal's Qualification Program at the University of Ottawa. Speakers were from the Hindu, Muslim, Jewish and Christian (Anglican) faiths. Literature was provided from the other faith members of CRIC (January and April 2000).

2001

  • CRIC was invited by The Community Council for Ethnocultural Equity of the Ottawa-Carleton District Board of Education to have a booth at Confederation High School (May 2001).

  • CRIC members were invited to City Hall by Mayor Bob Chiarelli and Chief of Police Vince Bevan for a Sept. 11 Memorial Service. Approximately one week later CRIC took part in similar events held on Parliament Hill, – one for the public and another held for MPs in the Parliament buildings (September 2001).

  • CRIC was invited by the Chaplain at Carleton University, Rev. Tom Sherwood, to an event for students that focused on reflections on peace, at Carleton University, November 2001.

  • CRIC Interfaith presentations were given to students at Sir Robert Borden High School on the subject of “Religious Perspectives of the Family.” Five faiths were represented, November 2001.

  • CRIC members took part in the Interfaith Council on Aids World Aids Day at St. John’s Anglican Church with prayers/readings from the following faiths: Baha’i, Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, Jain, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Christian, and Hindu, December 2001.

2002

  • Some CRIC members were invited to participate in a One-Hour Prayer Vigil organized by Rabbi Bulka on CFRA. Madhu Sahasrabudhe, Imam Solaiman, Cathy Mann and Nathalie Thirlwall were involved in the radio program, September 2002.

  • The President of CRIC, Madhu Sahasrabudhe, represented CRIC in the Sept. 11 Commemoration at City Hall, September 11, 2002.

  • CRIC organized and was involved with The Queen’s Jubilee Thanksgiving Celebration on Parliament Hill, Sunday, October 13, 2002.

2003

  • The President of CRIC, Madhu Sahasrabudhe, was instrumental in the formation of Interfaith Ottawa, the interfaith body that works with the municipal government of Ottawa. The Memorandum of Understanding was officially signed on March 2003. The President of CRIC serves as the Co-Chair of Interfaith Ottawa. The Mayor of Ottawa serves as the other Co-Chair.

  • An Interfaith Prayer Service for Peace was held at the Bronson Centre. The event was co-sponsored by the World Conference of Religions for Peace, Women for Peace, Capital Region Interfaith Council, the Kairos Spirituality-for-Social-Justice Centre, and Faith Partners, February 23, 2003.

2004

  • An interfaith program called “So That is What They Believe” was hosted at MacKay United Church in New Edinburgh, May 17, 2004.

  • CRIC completed its bylaws and became incorporated on December 22, 2004.

2005

  • A group of Carleton University Communications students completed an analysis and review of CRIC to assist with CRIC’s Communication and Action plan.

  • A national interfaith memorial service for the tsunami and earthquake victims of South East Asia was hosted by the Prime Minister of Canada and the Governor General of Canada at the Civic Centre at Lansdown Park on January 8, 2005. President Natalia de Savigny and other CRIC members were key players both in the planning of the program and inviting the national faith representatives to participate in it. The entire program was broadcast on national television and radio across Canada.

  • A post office box address (# 8263, Station ‘T’) was also acquired.

  • A CRIC web site www.cric.ottawa.circ.ca was created in 2005. The web site includes the President’s reports from 2005onwards, along with Faith profiles, the CRIC by-laws, and CRIC’s Mission and Objectives.

2006

  • A talk was presented at the Abbotsford House (Senior Citizen’s place) lunchtime Wednesday Speakers Series by the President, Nathalie Thirlwall, entitled “Interfaith: Reaching Beyond What is Familiar” on Sept. 2006.

  • CRIC organized an event commemorating the 25th anniversary of the UN Declaration on the Elimination of all Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religion or Belief. It was held at the Baha’i Centre on Saturday, November 25, 2006. 2007

  • A Multi Year Plan for CRIC’s future was drafted by the Board of Directors in 2006 and finalized in 2007.

  • Audio presentations of “I and My Faith” are being posted on the CRIC web site beginning in 2007.

Multi-year initiatives and involvements

  • The Interfaith service “Joy of Faith” at the SuperEx (Lansdown Park) for three consecutive years, 2004, 2005, 2006. In Aug. 2006, the concert moved from a Sunday morning service to opening day. Paul Dewar, MP for Ottawa Centre, accepted the role of welcoming the audience and offered opening remarks at the Joy of Faith Concert.

  • CRIC has worked four consecutive years 2002-2006 with the Correctional Services Canada to assist in planning an interfaith event tied to the Restorative Justice Week in November.

  • In 2005-2006, there has been increased media attention and inclusion as a result of interfaith activities sponsored by CRIC and CRIC members.

  • CRIC members have been invited to participate in the annual World Religion Day held at City Hall the past several years, (approximately 2000 – 2007).

  • Associate Members (as of 2007) of the Christian Council of the Capital Area

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