Ayesha Malik, a local Muslim and member of the Spokane Interfaith Council, said ethnic diversity isn't Spokane’s strong suit.

British author Karen Armstrong, who spoke several times at the parliament, told attendees to be prepared for action when they returned to their homes.

At a press conference following her talk at the Parliament of the World's Religions on Saturday, Jane Goodall spoke to a room full of reporters about the environment and the importance of coming together to create change.

Violence is a thread in sacred texts, but panelists Saturday at the Parliament of the World’s Religions said context, tradition and reason outweigh the brutality that often divides people in the name of religion.

The overarching message at the opening ceremony of the Parliament of the World’s Religions Thursday evening was that people of all religions need to work together to stop oppression, end violence and mend the planet.

More than 8,000 people kicked off the first day of the 2015 Parliament of World's Religions Thursday by listening to fervid discussions on feminism, the environment and the importance of interfaith work.