Amsterdam Interfaith Group Shares Ways to Create “Sacred Space”
- Feb 3
- 2 min read
Amsterdam, Netherlands – Representatives of various religious groups gathered at the Scientology Chapel in Amsterdam on February 3, 2026, to observe World Interfaith Harmony Week. Under the theme, “Creating Sacred Space: Awakening the Heart,” several speakers presented their perspectives on the topic.
Representing Scientology as the host of the event, Mr. Robert Kruijt warmly welcomed the guests, and stressed the importance of such interfaith meetings in order to understand one another and work together toward peace and harmony.
Among the speakers, Mr. Wim Koetsier, secretary general of UPF-The Netherlands, offered the view that the Creator is working to bring all people into unity through true love. He called on people of goodwill from all religions to work together in harmony for this purpose.
Mr. Cor Rijlaarsdam, representing Sufism, agreed that all people are brothers and sisters, as one family under God. He pointed out the shared origins of Judaism, Islam and Christianity as descendants of Abraham. While people of faith want to realize goodness, he reminded the audience that there is also an ongoing battle between good and evil. He quoted the poet Rumi and St. Francis of Assisi to stress the virtues that people of faith should embody, including generosity, compassion, modesty and humility.
Following these speeches, singer Ms. Sapia Pia Marasabessy, accompanied by Mr. Hans Campman on piano, gave a lovely rendition of “You’ve Got a Friend.”
The next speaker, Mr. Bart Ten Broek, was a teacher who comes from an Orthodox Christian background. He described his spiritual perspective as based on rational principles, but with an eye for mysticism. He stressed the importance of interacting with others, and sharing stories, especially about moving experiences, including encounters with God. As a teacher, he said, he had experienced the importance of stories.
The final speaker was Mr. Ari van Buuren, a theologian, pastor, and Gestalt therapist, who works as a spiritual counselor at the University Medical Center in Utrecht. He said that love is central to his work, along with mutual respect, as the people he counsels include Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists and Christians from various denominations.
He said that loving encounters open the path to God, creating a sacred space where the heart is awakened. Seeking connection is therefore important. Spiritual people are called upon to generate trust and awaken positivity in others, he said.
