As the world continues to getincreasingly polarized by infighting and animosity between religious groups, members from several faiths and communities attended ‘Interfaith dialogue for Modern Era’, a meet for peace andharmonious co-existence organised by the Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission. A decision to organise another similar conference in the near future was taken at the meet.
The two-day meet attended by members of 10 faiths is part of the 150th birth anniversary celebration of SwamiVivekanand, who enthralled the Parliament of World religions in 1893 in Chicago. “Peace, love, harmony and brotherhood have always been the language of Pirs, Fakirs and Saints alike. People remember them more than any ruler because they have spread the religion of humanity. They lit a candle in one through the efforts ofanother. We will make sure that this effort is taken forward andanother such interfaith dialogue is organised,” said Maulana Syed Ather Ali.
He added, “The problem these days isof propaganda due to which there is hatred. Prophet Mohammed considered the entire world to be a family and not just Muslims.”
Maulana Ali was joined Zoroastrian faith’s Lion Yazdi Panthaki. In his speech he emphasised on “broad-mindedness” and “Indianness” that would better relations between communities.
“I read a lot of Gandhi and remember that he often spoke about broadmindedness. We should be broad minded when it comes to different ways in which rituals of other communities are conducted. We should also learn what Dadabhai Naoroji would often say when asked about his identity. He always said he was an Indian. If we keep our Indian identity in mind, gradually all the differences will move out of lives,” said Panthaki.
Talking on the importance of such meetings, Swami Sarvalokananda, secretary of Ramakrishna Mission said, “It is ironic that while the date 9/11 is remembered for terrorist strike, Swamiji (Vivekanand) enthralled the religious leaders from across the world on the same date in 1893 by addressing them as brothers and sisters.”
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