FRANCIS SUNIL ROSARIO
Kolkata: On Sunday, Aug. 18, an Inter-Faith dialogue meeting was held at Archbishop’s House. His Grace, Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza welcomed all the members to take part in the brain-storming discussion towards evolving a strategy to build peace and harmony in society. All those who came,
from cross-sections of society, belonging to various faiths, traditional and cultural backgrounds, voiced their deep concern for the changing pattern of leadership in the country.
This initiative to hold a gathering of some veteran leaders who are already engaged in the process of dialogue through various fora, came from two activists in peace building, namely Mr. Satnam Singh Ahluwalia and Mr. Imran Zaki, representing two faith traditions, Sikhism and Islam. They both uphold their belief in the religion of humanity. “To be human is to be divine.” It was an initiative to go beyond our own religious boundaries and parameters and put the tenets of each religion into
practice to build humanity. All religions in fact, are committed to build a new humanity of freedom, justice, fellowship and peace.
India being one of the largest democratic nations in the world and a secular country, it is the duty of all citizens to voice their concern to preserve Secularism and allow people of all faiths and cultures to uphold the dignity of individuals, allowing all to live in freedom. Hence, it’s a clarion call to build up consensus among the citizens of our country and stop any infringement into the human rights
and dignity of individuals, those who are most vulnerable of the society.
Archbishop D’Souza highlighted the need for dialogue in present scenario. Dialogue has become almost imperative and essential for every one as we live in a pluralist society. People of all faiths
and cultures live here in harmony. Our economic, political and social issues that affect the lives of common people should be looked into, in the spirit of dialogue, respect for human dignity and life and deeper understanding.
Mr. Satnam said, “Religion should play a positive role to build humanity and peace.” Rev. Franklin Menezes, Director of Seva Kendra said, that there are others who may not believe in any religion, but
they too uphold human values, they should also be included into the process of building peace. Mr. Syed Irfan Sher said, “The very idea of India is under attack today.” Mr. O. P. Shah, Forum for
Peace, said, “We need to have an introspection of mind and try to understand deeply our national issues.We should also include those who are opposed to our views and how we can respond together to sort out those differences and continue our process of dialogue to build humanity.”
Among others who spoke were Qari Fazlur Rehman, Imam, Bhikkhu Pala (Buddhist Monk), Mr. Gurbux Singh, Gold Medalist in 1964 Olympics in Hockey and member of Minority Commission, West Bengal), Mr. Sunil Lucas, former President of Signis India and Brahamakumari from Bangur Centre. At the end of discussion, the organizers said that a realistic plan for further discussion will take place soon.
Some of the proposals that came out from the floor were to organize workshops to understand the urgent need for dialogue, some introspection of our own state of mind, by way of panel discussions to remove some of the misconceptions, ignorance and baggage we carry against certain religions. Some proposed that our social media should play a positive role in promoting harmony and peace towards a better humanity.
Kolkata: On Sunday, Aug. 18, an Inter-Faith dialogue meeting was held at Archbishop’s House. His Grace, Most Rev. Thomas D’Souza welcomed all the members to take part in the brain-storming discussion towards evolving a strategy to build peace and harmony in society. All those who came,
from cross-sections of society, belonging to various faiths, traditional and cultural backgrounds, voiced their deep concern for the changing pattern of leadership in the country.
This initiative to hold a gathering of some veteran leaders who are already engaged in the process of dialogue through various fora, came from two activists in peace building, namely Mr. Satnam Singh Ahluwalia and Mr. Imran Zaki, representing two faith traditions, Sikhism and Islam. They both uphold their belief in the religion of humanity. “To be human is to be divine.” It was an initiative to go beyond our own religious boundaries and parameters and put the tenets of each religion into
practice to build humanity. All religions in fact, are committed to build a new humanity of freedom, justice, fellowship and peace.
India being one of the largest democratic nations in the world and a secular country, it is the duty of all citizens to voice their concern to preserve Secularism and allow people of all faiths and cultures to uphold the dignity of individuals, allowing all to live in freedom. Hence, it’s a clarion call to build up consensus among the citizens of our country and stop any infringement into the human rights
and dignity of individuals, those who are most vulnerable of the society.
Archbishop D’Souza highlighted the need for dialogue in present scenario. Dialogue has become almost imperative and essential for every one as we live in a pluralist society. People of all faiths
and cultures live here in harmony. Our economic, political and social issues that affect the lives of common people should be looked into, in the spirit of dialogue, respect for human dignity and life and deeper understanding.
Mr. Satnam said, “Religion should play a positive role to build humanity and peace.” Rev. Franklin Menezes, Director of Seva Kendra said, that there are others who may not believe in any religion, but
they too uphold human values, they should also be included into the process of building peace. Mr. Syed Irfan Sher said, “The very idea of India is under attack today.” Mr. O. P. Shah, Forum for
Peace, said, “We need to have an introspection of mind and try to understand deeply our national issues.We should also include those who are opposed to our views and how we can respond together to sort out those differences and continue our process of dialogue to build humanity.”
Among others who spoke were Qari Fazlur Rehman, Imam, Bhikkhu Pala (Buddhist Monk), Mr. Gurbux Singh, Gold Medalist in 1964 Olympics in Hockey and member of Minority Commission, West Bengal), Mr. Sunil Lucas, former President of Signis India and Brahamakumari from Bangur Centre. At the end of discussion, the organizers said that a realistic plan for further discussion will take place soon.
Some of the proposals that came out from the floor were to organize workshops to understand the urgent need for dialogue, some introspection of our own state of mind, by way of panel discussions to remove some of the misconceptions, ignorance and baggage we carry against certain religions. Some proposed that our social media should play a positive role in promoting harmony and peace towards a better humanity.
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