KACES and IPC organize colorful interfaith dialogue

KACES and IPC organize colorful interfaith dialogue

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Feb 6, 2012: Delivering the inaugural address at Saamarasya 2012, an inter-religious peace event organized by Interfaith Coalition for Peace (ICP), New Delhi and Karnataka Christian Educational Society (KACES), Mangalore on the grounds of KACES on Feb 5 Sunday as part of the 40th annual day of KACES Hostel, Dr. Syed Zafar Mahmood, the president of IPC, said that God is present in each and every one of us.

 

 

 

Speaking on the issue of including Christians and Muslims under the Scheduled Castes (SC) quota, he said that the president of India in 1950 had created a list of characteristics of an SC Hindu. Later, Buddhists and Sikhs were also added to this list, but Muslims and Christians are still out of it. He said that this is discrimination based on religion, which is unconstitutional.

He also said that insufficient representation of Christians and Muslims in governance and administration is not because of the government, but because the members of these communities fail to clear competitive examinations. He said that the Zakat Foundation has already taken steps to remedy the situation and urged the Church to do the same.

Dr. Pakiam Samuel, the secretary and treasurer of ICP, released a souvenir on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of KACES Hostel. In his address, he said that interfaith dialogues can become very lively and interesting if they are not limited to the presentation of papers and holding of debates. He also spoke of the importance of celebrating diversity and urged the city of Mangalore to set an example for others to follow.

Fr. Ronnie Prabhu, the guest of honor and the director of Fathima Retreat House, spoke of the need to maintain one’s identity while simultaneously have a broad-minded view of the world and consider others as one’s own family. Pointing out that people love religion more than they love God, he said that while we love our religion, we must love God more. He also spoke of the importance of different communities forgiving one another and being broad minded.

M. B. Puranik, the president of Sharada Group, and Ivan D’Souza, the secretary of KPCC, also spoke on the occasion.

Dr. Hannibal Cabral, the secretary of KACES, presided over the event.

Winners of various competitions and sports events held on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of KACES Hostel were given prizes on the occasion.

Rev. John Amana, Rev. Emannuel Bhaskar, and others, who had served at KACES Hostel for several years, were honored on this occasion.

A cultural show was presented by groups from St. Aloysius School, CSI Sushanthi Church, Sandesha Foundation, CSI Bishop Sargent Church, Milau Kalavedike, and others. A show from the Bangalore-based Eternity Rock Band and a humor and mimicry session by Vismaya Vinayak formed the highlights of the event.