Maulana Abdul Mobin Asmi, representing the Muslim community, stated that the sickness in this world is anger and selfishness in the heart of man. He continued, “The heart becomes big only by filling it with love.
Nowadays, our hearts have become small irrespective of religion, and hence, there is unrest in this world.
Asmi further stated that India is a peace-loving country, but slowly, the picture is changing. He added, “Some traitors have their own selfish interests and are changing the peaceful picture of our country. We must live in a sense of brotherhood with each other, and only then will our country and universe be a peaceful one.”
Niyan Marchion, representing the Catholic community, also stressed on having love in our hearts and added, “Our Pope is upset with the present situation in this world, and thus, is trying to focus on reconciliation and mercy by announcing the coming year as the ‘Year of Mercy’.
Marchion also called for inter-religious meets to be held in various places through music and cultural programmes so that they help in building together networks of respect and fraternity.
Ramchandra Naik of the Hindu community lamented that people do not practice what they preach and are becoming more materialistic. He stated, “We have forgotten that the world belongs to ‘us’ and not ‘me’. God is one, but we worship him in different ways.”
Convenor of the Apostolate of the inter-religious dialogue Fr Noel Da Costa said that building together networks of respect and fraternity is a challenging task, especially in a vitiated atmosphere where people of various communities are stereotyped and labeled. He continued,
“It is the responsibility of teachers and students to become instruments to network people of different faiths for a common cause that affects all of humanity. We need to realise that the only road that leads to peace and fraternity is that of respect for religious practices and conviction for others.”
St Xavier’s College presented a mime on the theme ‘Terrorism has no religion’, while a skit by the Mater Dei institute reflected on social justice. Archbishop of Goa and Daman Filipe Neri Ferrao was also present.
