All celebrations bring people together because they have one message — to live as brothers and sisters in friendship, in cordial relationships and in service of one another, said archbishop Thomas D’Souza.
The archbishop was delivering the welcome address at an interfaith iftar that he hosted at his residence on Saturday.
“Ramadan is a special month when you spend a month in prayer, fasting and also in renewing yourself in your relation with God and others. A few days ago, we celebrated Holi, yesterday we had Good Friday, a day of mourning the death of Jesus Christ, a big day for Christians. On Sunday, we are going to celebrate Easter, the resurrection of Lord Jesus,” said Reverend D’ Souza.
“All these celebrations bring us together because they all have one message. The message is: God has created all of us as one family of brothers and sisters and we are all to live as brothers and sisters in friendship, in cordial relationships, in the service of one another,” he said.
The interfaith iftar by United Interfaith Foundation India was hosted by the archbishop, who is the president of the foundation, and Satnam Singh Ahluwalia, general secretary of the foundation.
People from different religions gathered at the Archbishop’s House and upheld the spirit of oneness.
The archbishop said the solution to conflicts around the world lay within. “The solution very often is with us. If everyone can experience peace, joy, harmony within oneself and with one’s own neighbours, brothers and sisters, many conflicts can be avoided.”
“All the celebrations inspire us to be more selfless, generous, friendly and think of one another in our society and serve one another generously,” he said.
Ahluwalia said the foundation had representatives from every community and its objective was to promote interfaith dialogue.
“Dialogue is essential in today’s world.... Dialogue leads to understanding. When understanding comes it gives birth to respect and respect is followed by brotherhood,” said Ahluwalia.
He pointed out that the iftar was being held in a Christian home, hosted by a Sikh for Muslim brothers and sisters, and it was being attended by many Hindus. "This happens in Bengal," he said.
Moulana Qari Fazlur Rahman and Swami Vedatitananda from Ramakrishna Mission Shilpamandira were among the many religious leaders at the iftar.
"We have to fight the kind of situation we are in today," Moulana Qari Fazlur Rahman said.
Minister Shashi Panja, who was at the iftar, spoke about respect and unity.
Imran Zaki, a key member of the interfaith foundation, talked of the need for more such occasions where people from different communities come together to celebrate and share each other's experiences.