Toronto: February 4, 2015. (PCP) Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti was a champion of human rights and religious freedom. He sacrificed his life to fight for the religious freedom and human rights of the people in Pakistan. To celebrate h...is life and to carry on his legacy, it is of great importance that we continue to raise awareness and speak of the growing intolerance surrounding the freedom of religion. As we look at what is happening all over the world today, specifically in Iraq, Kenya, France, Egypt and Pakistan etc. we see that religious extremism is increasing rapidly and most of the world remains silent as religious intolerance and extremism continues to rise. It is therefore, important for all of us who promote religious freedom and democracy to join hands together and discuss these issues. International Christian Voice strongly believes that we will be able to overcome forces of violence and injustice through the power of dialogue and the building of relationships. In light of this, International Christian Voice will be hosting a one day international conference on religious freedom that will focus on the religious intolerance taking place all over the world. Political and religious leaders, lawmakers, activists and scholars from Canada, the US, Europe and Pakistan will be joining together to discuss the rise and effects of religious intolerance and what can be done to counter these threats and promote religious freedom, tolerance and peace. The conference will close off with a tribute session to honor the life of Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti. We are positive that through this conference we will be contributing to bringing peace and tolerance into our nations and the world. Date: March 11, 2015 Location: Parliament Building, 1 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Canada Conference Objectives 1. To identify the root causes of conflict and violence and possible solutions to prevent acts of violence, discrimination and intolerance between people of different faith, traditions and cultures. 2. To create a strong sense of community amongst different nations sharing similar lived experiences especially nations that represent a model of peaceful co-existence, in a multicultural society. Further, exploring strategies to overcome obstacles for bringing peace and harmony in our society Themes for Panel Discussions 1. Root cause of religious extremism in the Middle East: Are there any solutions? • Issues surrounding religious freedom in the Middle East • Issues surrounding religious freedom in Asia and Africa 2. Growing religious intolerance and extremism in Pakistan 3. How Canada and the rest of the democratic world is affected by religious extremism and intolerance 4. Celebration of the life of Martyr Shahbaz Bhatti,