The meeting in Mumbai resolves to celebrate Sept. 11 as the ‘Day of Tolerance’
Team Clarion
MUMBAI – Faith leaders and influencers from diverse religious communities have pledged their commitment to fostering dialogue, understanding, and collaboration among all communities.
This was decided at a meeting convened by Inter-Religious Solidarity Council (IRSC) here on July 20. The gathering, facilitated by the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS), and the Institute of Indian Culture (IIC), drew a significant and rich assembly of faith leaders and influencers who reaffirmed the necessity of peaceful coexistence in the religiously diverse country.
The delegates also resolved to celebrate September 11, when Swami Vivekananda addressed the World’s Parliament of Religions in 1893, as the ‘Day of Tolerance’.
The discussions underscored the deep-rooted traditions and teachings of each religion, emphasising values such as compassion, service to all, and acceptance of diverse paths to divinity. Scholars from Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Bahai faith, Zoroastrianism, Jainism and rationalist perspectives shared profound insights from their respective theological and philosophical perspectives. The common thread that emerged from the discussion was — universal values of oneness, acceptance of diverse paths and traditions, inclusion, and non-discrimination underscored by all religions towards all members of the religious communities.
Swami Dayadhipanandaji of the Ramakrishna Mission said bliss is achieved by satchitanand or true consciousness arrived by tyag (sacrifice) and seva (service to the needy). “Ramakrishna Mission is a living example of the philosophy of Swami Vivekananda and Shri Krishna and serves all members of society equally without discrimination,” he said.
Dialogue can achieve peace and minimise misunderstandings between groups, the delegates said. Swami Devendra Brahamachariji, a Lord Mahavir motivational speaker and social reformer, said that anekantwad (multiple approaches to the truth), syadvad (all judgments are conditional, holding good only in certain conditions, circumstances, or senses), and non-violence were important ideas in this context.
Another delegate, academician Ranu Jain explained that Jainism has not imposed a social code of conduct, helping its members to integrate meaningfully in a multicultural society.
Sadguru Yogiraj Dr Mangesh Da, founder of Sadguru Mangesh Da Kriya Yoga Foundation, pointed out that religious diversity is not a barrier as God and nature do not discriminate and serve all. He cited the example of Swami Vivekananda who underlined this oneness in his speech at Chicago.
“Hindu religion follows the concept of ‘athithi devo bhava’ (stranger or guest is God) and thus opens its arms to members of all religions,” he added.
Swami Jahnudvipa Nitai Hari, Vice-President of ISKCON temple, said that the Hindu religion looks at all humans as atma of one Paramatma.
Dr. Nikhat Noumaan, visiting faculty at the University of Mumbai, explained that the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah, or practices of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) acknowledged the diversity of the human race in the form of tribes, religions, and nations.
Allah has sent messengers to guide all peoples and the messengers revealed the same truth. Islam has emphasised that there has to be equality and non-discrimination towards non-Muslims, she said.
Speaking about this aspect of Islam, Salim Khan from Jamaat-e-Islami said the religion places no compulsion on religious matters. Justice for all is the most honourable value in Islam, he said.
Masarrat Ahmed, President of the Ahmadiyya community in Mumbai, said the ‘Charter of Madina’ of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) guaranteed religious freedom to everyone.
Fr. S M Michael pointed out that geography and other factors have given rise to differences in food habits, occupations and languages but common humanity is important.
“According to Christian understanding, all humans have dignity. Lord Jesus gave emphatically the message of service to all human beings,” he said.
Sr. Sagaya Mary reminded that peace is an active pursuit. The Bible lays primacy on justice and voice for the voiceless. Differences make us appreciate divineness, creating a symphony of faith, she said.
Seema Indorewala explained the tenets of the Bahai faith and said it embraces the oneness of all human beings.
Firdaus Pavri pointed out that in the Zoroastrian religion, the key message is that one has ‘good thoughts, good words and good deeds’ which help human beings to follow the path of righteousness and has guided Parsis to integrate meaningfully into Indian society.
Prof. Ram Puniyani spoke about the alternative to growing intolerance around us and religious extremism whenever it raises its head.
