An Introduction to the Hidden Treasures of Islam — Page 174
174 Background It was in 1892 that Sw a m i S a dh u Shogan Chander interested in reformation of Hind u Dharam conceived the idea of bringing other faiths to a conference. The first conference was held in Ajmer in 1894. On December 29, 1895, the Promised Messiah as presented a better and improved concept to hold a conference designed to make a comparative study of religions. This conference was intended to give an occasion to the representatives of all creeds - Jews, Christians, A ryas, Pars i s, Brahm u ns, Jainies, Bhuddists, San a tan Dharam, and the Hindus and Atheists to represent the good points of their religions out of their own scriptures in a conference. The Promised Messiah as wanted this conference to be held in Qadian where all those representatives would be entertained at his own expense. He was also ready to pay for the return fare of the guests and to make proper lodging arrangements for them during the length of the conference. This proposal was not accepted. Towards the end of 1896, a number of people belonging to different faiths, however, decided to hold a conference on these lines in Lahore. The conference was eventually held on December 26, 27, 28, 1896, and it was extended to December 29, on unanimous demand of the audience to hear full speech of the Promised Messiah as. The Book The Promised Messiah as was invited to present the views of Islam on the following five subjects, on which the representative of each religion was to give the views of his faith. The subjects were: • The physical, moral and spiritual conditions of man. • The state of man after death. • The object of man's life on earth and the means for attaining the same. • The effect of action in this life and the next.