Stress on Love, Compassion at All-religion Meeting in Mumbai

The meeting emphasised that the universal moral values in different religions do not conflict with each other. These values include love, compassion, respecting all lives, harming no one, and pursuit of truth.

Team Clarion

MUMBAI — Participants at the Inter-Religious Solidarity round table discussion here last week reiterated the importance of unity among adherents of different faiths. About two dozen influencers, religious guides, and leaders of different communities deliberated on the universal moral values of all religions. 

The discussion was organised by the Centre for Study of Society and Secularism (CSSS), Citizens for the Constitution (CFTC) and Habitat and Livelihood Welfare Association (HALWA) against the backdrop of rising religious discord and intolerance in the cosmopolitan city of Mumbai. The objective was to explore responses to intolerance and draw deeper into our collective shared values and morals propounded by various religions.

The meeting emphasised that the universal moral values in different religions do not conflict with each other. These values include love, compassion, respecting all lives, harming no one, and pursuit of truth.

Prof. Shyama Iyer shared that Advait Vedanta in Hindu religion lays emphasis on truth. 

Swami Dayadhipananda from Ramakrishna Mission pointed out that introspection is quintessential to reaching the truth. He said that if one has to acquire divine consciousness, it is important to know one’s religion. He stressed that in order to realise divinity, the path prescribed by any religion could be followed; only there has to be sincerity and truthfulness. 

Similarly, Dr. Salim Khan from Jamaat-e-Islami Hind stated that Islam and Qur’an don’t teach discrimination or injustice towards any human being including those following other religions. Islam, he said, believes that there is One Creator and good deeds take us closer to the Supreme Being.

Echoing Dr. Khan’s views, Roshani Shenazz said the central values in the Zoroastrian religion emphasise “good words, good thoughts and good deeds”. She said religion is not static but evolves with the changing society. These changes make religion more relevant to the times it is practiced in. 

Manish Modi pointed out that in the Jain religion, human beings are expected to take responsibility for their own actions as there are multiple truths — each having their own interpretation emerging from their reality. He said no religion should be allowed to impose its practices or viewpoints on the followers of other religions.

If all religions have similar messages and emphasise values of love, compassion and truth then wherefrom religious intolerance and discord emerge? Prof. Sunil Kamble explained that sometimes religious practices or public manifestations of religions can give rise to tensions or conflicts. Though the theology of different religions doesn’t conflict, religious practices may lead to conflicts. Religious conflicts have emerged within a specific cultural context shaped by the geography and social exigencies of the time they responded to. “They are not static. They can change and should change to allow all religious communities to co-exist harmoniously. At the same time, there should be space for all religions to thrive.” 

Roshani Shenazz offered another important explanation for religious intolerance. She said that conflicts arise when there is fear of the unknown. If you don’t know what the other religions teach, or how the other religious communities practice their religion and culture, there can’t be acceptance of diversity and people from other religions.

She also pointed out that there are curated curricula on the topics of diversity and harmony that can be popularised in more schools. She stressed the need of having ‘human clubs’ to promote dialogue and interfaith activities. 

The highlight of the round table discussion was that the participants didn’t stop at pointing towards commonalities of values in their respective religions. They suggested points for action plan — steps that can be undertaken by them collectively to promote peace and harmony. 

Prof. Shyama Iyer proposed that courses can be conducted with youth and students in Mumbai to make them aware of diversity. 

Prof. Kamini Gogri shared the example of her college where students were encouraged to research on other religions promoting understanding of different religions. 

Fr. S. M Michael also said that there was one year programme – Basics of Inter-Religious Dialogue – in Catholic institutions wherein they teach all religions by practitioners of those religions. He also informed that a newsletter called “Sammelan” is brought out covering related topics. He said that in more than 130 parishes in Mumbai there are inter-religious cells promoting inter-religious understanding.

All the participants recognized that in a multicultural society with a rich heritage of shared culture, it was imperative to foster mutual understanding and respect and acceptance of diversity. 

The most constructive outcome of the discussion was the formation of the Inter-Religious Solidarity Council which would respond to religious intolerance and give a message of mutual understanding and love. 

This council could issue statements whenever needed to distance themselves and their communities from any reported intolerance. It will act as a collective voice of conscience and as a moral compass for their religious communities. 

The council endorsed and brought out a statement of solidarity, expressing its commitment to promoting love, compassion and mutual respect for all religions and acceptance of diversity.

List of participants who attended the Programme: