An Interfaith Dialogue under Sarv Dharma Samvad programme was organized in collaboration with the Baha-i community Public Affairs in National Commission for Minorities(NCM),
The gathering, chaired by Iqbal Singh Lalpura, Chairperson of the National Commission for Minorities, Dhanyakumar J. Gunde, Members and Officials of NCM were also present, featured a diverse panel of speakers, including Dr. Arash Fazli, Dr. Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed, Prof. Madhu Khanna, Rabbi Ezekiel Malekar, Prof. Salim Engineer, Dr. Shernaz Cama, Lokesh Jindal, Sister Husain, Dr. MD Thomas, Dr. K.C. George, Ms. Nilakshi Rajkhowa, Dr. Kazem Samandari and others from various faith traditions.
Speakers shared about the commonality of values of tolerance, love and humanity in all religions. They discussed the importance of teaching universal values, promoting interfaith dialogue, and distinguishing true spiritual leaders from those misusing religion for ulterior motives. The conversation underscored the need for greater interreligious understanding to combat prejudice and hate speech. It was agreed that there was need for teaching Indian civilizational history and values to the youth for which adequate provision was necessary to be made at school and college level. The meeting unanimously appreciated the efforts of the Govt. of India under Sh. Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister and also decided to work for promotion of communal harmony and to strengthen National unity and integrity.
In his concluding remarks, Iqbal Singh Lalpura emphasized the importance of such dialogues in addressing India’s developmental challenges and called for more interfaith discourses to strengthen social harmony and peace. Further, he urged for taking the message of tolerance, compassion and harmony to the public by way of direct action. The meeting also congratulated Bahai community on the occasion of the eve of the birth anniversary of the Twin Prophet Founder of the ‘Baha-i’faith- “The Bab and Baha-u-llah”