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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Religion is alive and very relevant today, according to an interfaith panel that met on Sunday afternoon to discuss the territory's four major faiths.

People seeking answers to questions about religion got to learn more about aboriginal spirituality, Christianity, Shambhala Buddhism and Islam at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's second annual World Religion Conference, given at the Explorer Hotel. "Is Religion Dead?" was the theme of the event.

Four presenters - Alex Beaudin, Peter Chynoweth, Wanbdi Wakita and Mohammed Afzal Mirza - each had 20 minutes to discuss their beliefs and describe why religion is not dead. Mayor Gord Van Tighem moderated presentations.

Alex Beaudin spoke about Shambhala Buddhism. He has practised this kind of meditation since 2003.

"I don't consider myself an authority," said Beaudin. "This is a kind of meditation that was modified to meet Western needs."

Beaudin explained suffering, origin of suffering, truth of the goal and the truth of the path as the four noble truths in Shambhala Buddhism. Practitioners of this meditation try to synchronize their body, speech and mind in a harmonious way.

On aboriginal spirituality, Wakita described how he heard the Creator's call when he was younger. He spoke about natural law and harmony between nature, animals and people.

"I can't explain my work to the fullest because I don't understand it all," Wakita said. "We all must appreciate and use the gifts the Creator gives us."

In discussing Christianity, Chynoweth said that Christians seem to have trouble getting along because there are so many different churches. With so many beliefs he said that it is important to remember there is no single "right way" of belief.

"Some churches place being right above being good," said Chynoweth. "We should be open to other faiths and people."

Mirza, a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community from Ontario, spoke about Islam. He said his goals goal is to show the world that Muslims are peaceful and loving. He said Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden give Islam a bad name. He described their actions as the hijacking of Islam.

"Every religion has gone through a dark period," said Mirza. "This is our turn."

The afternoon concluded with audience questions for the speakers. Each scholar gave his responses to the questions that were asked. Even though the presenters follow different faiths, their message of enlightenment, goodness and understanding were very similar.