Leaders in Hawaii's faith and interfaith communities are drafting plans for an international conference focusing on peace, tolerance and the concept of oneness among religions.

Defining the commonalities is one of the first challenges organizers face.

Many in a group of about 24 volunteer strategists who met earlier this week were elated by the prospect of helping quell hostilities around the world and promoting respect for all spiritual paths. But some struggled with the conference theme: "One Reality, One Humanity, Converging Paths."

The group's chairman, Saleem Ahmed, envisions a conference built around the idea that "all religions revere the same eternal being — converging paths to the same reality."

Raised as a Muslim and educated in Catholic schools, Ahmed serves as president of All Believers Network, which has 18 different faiths represented on its board. The network promotes the concept that faiths should unite "on the basis of spiritual commonalities rather than continuing to divide on the basis of ritualistic differences."

Last year, Ahmed shared his beliefs with the Hawaii Legislature. Sen. Suzanne Chun-Oakland, D-13th (Sand Island, Kalihi, Liliha, Nuuanu, Pauoa, Puunui) introduced a resolution establishing a interfaith steering committee to explore options for an international conference in 2011.

"We can take the message forward that both Hindus and Muslims revere the same being," Ahmed said. "Instead of division, let's connect on the spiritual path and move forward."

During the committee's Wednesday evening meeting at the state Capitol, however, Kusha Devi Dasi, a Hindu, suggested backing off the theme of oneness.

"A lot of our conditioning has to do with 'One.' The 'One Way,' the 'One one,' " Dasi said. "One just immediately scares me. 'Shared' sounds good. Agreeing to disagree is fine. It's OK if I like vanilla and you like strawberry. What we're sharing is ice cream. We can share a reality."

State Rep. John Mizuno, D-30th (Kamehameha Heights, Kalihi Valley, Fort Shafter) was a backer of the Senate resolution. But Mizuno said he is wary of the oneness message if it means letting go of any religious beliefs.

"I'm a Christian and I believe in God. No one will change my mind. It's with me forever. But I have respect for all religions," said Mizuno, who also spoke enthusiastically about the possibilities for interfaith interventions in war-torn countries.

"If we can work on world peace and save 500, 5,000, 5 million people, I'm all for it," Mizuno said.

Locally, he added, interfaith teams could address drug problems and gang violence.

In response to concerns about the conference theme, Ahmed said he fully expected that talk about "one reality" could touch off tensions and misunderstandings among committee members and others.

To clarify his take on the matter, he said, "It does not dilute any religion. All paths are right paths. ... You don't have to change religion."

Roger Epstein, who described himself the committee as "Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, Daoist, Sufi," said he is eager to further explore the notion of oneness.

Addressing the group, he said: "There isn't a person in this room who doesn't believe ... that there is some sort of universal essence out there that we're all connected to. Raise your hand if you don't."

Epstein then swiveled his gaze to the lone committee member with a hand raised.

"You don't?" he asked. "Fine, you're entitled to that position. I think you're wrong."

The comment drew warm laughter.

Epstein then added that as he sees it, "It's not that we're praying to somebody different, it's that we're taking a different path to pray."

In December, Ahmed will present a paper about the plans for the Hawaii conference at the Parliament of the World's Religions. The event, in Melbourne, Australia, is expected to attract several thousand participants.

According to its mission statement, the parliament, first assembled in 1893, aims to "cultivate harmony among the world's religious and spiritual communities and foster their engagement with the world and its guiding institutions in order to achieve a just, peaceful and sustainable world."

Ahmed said his "One Reality, One Humanity, Converging Paths" presentation will explain that the "One Reality" could involve lining up speakers to probe issues such as whether the power of meditation is the same regardless of religion.

"One Humanity" could take a look at how various events, such as the lantern-floating ceremony held on Memorial Day in Ala Moana Beach Park, brings together thousands of people from a wide range of faiths.

And "Converging Paths" could showcase faith-oriented rituals ranging from Sufi whirling to Buddhist bon dance.

Ahmed said, "There has been no conference that has talked about one reality."

Ahmed said that the very thought could be tagged as blasphemous in some religious circles.

Even so, he said, "I want to be at the cutting edge" — challenging people to think beyond what is already known and believed.