Team Herald
PANJIM: The Committee for the Apostolate of Inter-Religious Dialogue of the Archdiocese of Goa organised an inter-religious meeting on the fifth day of the Novena of St Francis Xavier at the Basilica of Bom Jesus Old Goa, on Thursday. The event paid a glowing tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, whose 150th birth anniversary we celebrate this year. The theme chosen for the occasion was: Upholding Dignity, Strengthening Unity.
The inter-faith choir group led by Fr Mario Costa sang hymns and bhajans in different Indian languages to create the right ambience for the occasion.
Fr Joseph Rodrigues, a member of the committee, accorded a cordial welcome to the gathering of about thousand participants comprising of students, teachers and people belonging to different faiths. The novices of Our Lady of Angels convent, Old Goa performed a prayer dance invoking God’s blessings.
Fr Dennis Fernandes, the Episcopal Vicar of North Goa, Fr Agnelo Pinheiro, the convener of the Committee for the Apostolate of Inter-Religious Dialogue, along with dignitaries and students from different faiths, placed colourful flowers in a vase symbolizing unity in diversity.
Mubarak Ali, representing the Islamic community, cited different verses from the Holy Quran to convey to the audience that Islam upholds human dignity and discourages discrimination in all forms.
He was assisted by Master Affan Sheikh who fluently recited the verses from the Holy Quran by heart.
Speaking on behalf of the Hindu community Ms Sulekha Sawant Dessai enlightened the gathering on the teachings of Hinduism regarding Human dignity.
Quoting from the Upanishad, she emphasised that respect to parents, teachers, guests and nature forms an integral part of upholding human dignity to foster unity. She was assisted by Diya Kale who chanted verses from the Bhagvad Gita.
Miss Anya Gonsalves read a few verses from the Holy Bible. Basing on the life and ministry of Jesus, Yshana Correia Gonsalves, representing the Catholic community, urged the audience to respect, love and care every human person transcending the boundaries of caste, creed and religion.
A dance choreographed and performed by the nuns of Mater Dei Institute showcased the different forms of marginalization prevailing in our country and the urgent need felt to work unitedly to combat them. A Konkani skit, enacted by the youngsters under the direction of Fr. Joseph Rodrigues, emphasized that true unity is achieved only when everyone is treated with due dignity, respect and justice. All the participants took a pledge to work in unison to uphold dignity and foster unity in our nation. Blanche Mascarenhas, Principal of St Xavier College and a member of the apostolate, delivered the vote of thanks. The programme was compered by Hegel da Costa.
