ASIA/INDIA - Harmony Forums to be launched in Gujarat to counter communalism

Tuesday, 6 March 2007

Gandhinagar (Fides Service) - To foster a more harmonious society the Indian Bishops’ Commission for Interreligious Dialogue and the Commission for Inter-Religious Dialogue, western region, will launch Harmony Forums in the north western state of Gujarat. The decision was taken during a two day seminar on Harmony Mission. Religious and social leader, women and young people are to be actively involved in the peace-processes and Harmony Forums will network with well-meaning individuals and organisations to form a committed task force to making a more harmonious Gujarat.
These permanent Forum will address problems arising in relations among religions, organise cultural and spiritual events, plan measures to settle dispute, encourage dialogue and promote social harmony.
Communalism, the word used in South Asia to denote a force separating different communities based on some form of social or sectarian discrimination, with its diverse offshoots was identified as one of the greatest problems in Gujarat.
The local Catholic Church hopes Harmony Forums present in villages, towns will be one way of avoiding conflict among religious and social groups.
In his opening address at the seminar Archbishop of Gandhinagar, Stanislaus Fernandes appreciated the timely initiative for making a communally harmonious Gujarat.
This western state has been the scene of serious clashes between Hindus and Muslims causing the death of thousands and digging deep rifts between the different communities. The Catholic Bishops have always stood up for the minority groups calling for respect for the rights and freedoms of every human person and for India’s traditional values of pluralism, democracy and tolerance. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 6/3/2007 righe 25 parole 251)


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