Inter-Religious Peace and Harmony meet was held on ’Muharram’ Celebrations at Shankerpur

Bellevision Media Network

Udupi, 07 Nov 2015: An inter-Religious Meet towards Peace and Harmony was held at Subhasnagar, Shankerpura under the aggies of “Sarva Dharma Sauharda Samiti" on the occasion of Muharram Celebrations which marks the start of the Islamic New Year. The Inter-faith meet was held on Thursday the 5th of November 2015 at Sarakarigudde Shankerpura.

 

The Muharram Celebration was attended and addressed by prominent personalities and religious heads of Christian, Hindu and Muslim by HE Dr. Isaac Gerald Lobo, Bishop-Udupi Diocese, Sri B.C. Rao, Shivapura (National J.C. Instructor) and Maulana Hafiz Mohammed Waheed Naeemi, Nileshwar respectively.

 

The program began with a prayer invoking Gods blessings by Anil D’sa followed by hearty welcome by Antony D’Sa (Proprietor Anil Caterers) a prominent personality of Shankerpura and member of “ Sarva Dharma Sauharda Samiti”.

 

 

The convener of the “Sarva Dharma Sauharda Samiti" Rev. Dr. Leslie D’Souza (Parish Priest, St. John Evangelist Church Shankerpura –Pangala) addressed the audience and explained in detail the purpose of “Muharram Celebrations“ by people belonging to all religions. He said, we are all humans created by God. May be our religion is different as we all born to parents of different religions, but we are creation of God to serve humanity, we have purpose to live and let other live. He pointed out that to live a life of unity and brotherly bond we need to follow four Sutras in life i.e. Savodatva (Brotherhood), Sahabalve (Co-existence), Sahisnute (tolerance) and Samarashya (Harmoney). To achieve this goal we need to come out of our prejudice and be a human to love and serve others. Let the Sauharda which began in Shankerpura become Sauharda Bharata “one day he concluded.

 

Mr. Mark Vaz (Vice President – Parish Council St. John Evangelist Church Pangala) introduced HE Dr. Jerald Isaac Lobo), Mr. Abu Baker (Panchayat Member Katapady) introduced Mr. Maulana Hafiz Mohammed Waheed Naeemi, Nileshwar and Sri B.C. Shivakumar was introduced by Naveen Amin.

 

The traditional lamp was lit by all dignitaries on the dais prior to key note address by three prominent personalities belonging to three different religions.

 

Mohamed Hafiz in his address pointed out how important it is to lead a life of Humanity. He quoted several instances where Quran points out to lead a more human life than selfish. He said God created man in different cast, creed, colour and religion so that they identify themselves as  It is impossible to have a same religion, same name to everyone which leads to confusion but there is beauty in co-existence of different religions, people belonging to different cast, creed and religion. The God Almighty created us as Humans first to respect and serve each other, he concluded.

 

 

Hindu Leader Sri B.C. Rao Shivapura speaking on the occasion said that our parents should take initiatives to help our children to learn humanity. We must love our religion but must respect religion of others. We have one life and we must involve ourselves in humanitarian deeds rather than selfish. He further said that his two role models are Swami Vivekananda and Dr. Abul Kalam. He always follows their teachings. He requested the audience to adhere to the simple rules of life like Devotion to God, Live for others, Thank God for the gift of life, Pray before meal and in conclusion he said that the Light of Sauharda which has begun in Shankerpura spread to Udupi District and then to whole of Karnataka.

 

Bishop Gerald Isaac Lobo in his presidential address requested to see God in others. He began with a simple example of flowers as variety of flowers in the garden gives beauty to see and enjoyed by everyone similarly variety of religions gives beauty to our life. He further said that all rivers of this land meets the sea similarly all religions reach one God and Humanity is the biggest Religion. Let us us have an open mind and tolerance to other religions and let us develop serving nature in mind and heart. He further said that Shankerpura is very famous for Jasmine Flowers which spreads its fragrance to all over the globe similarly “Sauharda” which also has begun in Shankerpura reach all corners of the globe and let love and humanity grow in our heart and mind. My dream is that we all belong to different religions live like children of one parent and live like brother and sisters respecting and loving each other.

 

Mr. Nandan Kumar, Secretary of Sauharda Committee proposed the vote of thanks. Snacks were distributed to all who attended the program and a brief entertainment program was presented by Muslim youth prior to conclusion.