Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JD)

Mangaluru, Jan 9: It was a confluence of spiritual minds at Hotel Ocean Pearl here on Monday January 9, as leaders from different communities gathered for inter-religious intellectual meet on 'Peace, Harmony and National Integration' organised by Rights, Awareness and Knowledge Society (RANKS).

Addressing the meet, Dr Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, chief Imam of All India Imam Organization, a representative body of Imams of mosques across India, said, "It is true that we must practise our religion but it should be within the four walls of our house. When we come out of our house, we should remember that India is our faith and only then will we be able respect our fellow Indian." .

The Imam, renowned for rendering his service towards solving the Palestine-Israel and Arab-Israel crises, further said, "The beauty of India lies in respecting another's religion and celebrating all the festivals with true brotherhood. We must respect each other and only then can we strengthen our country.

"Islam is seen as a religion that supports terrorism globally. But Islam has always advocated peace. We have to keep in mind that some bad people are found in every religion," he added.

Rendering his address in Sanskrit, head of Puttige Math Sugunendrateertha Swamiji said, "The kernel of every religion is peace. Peace is the ultimate goal of life. Every God including Sri Krishna advocated peace. Even our country which was a land of ancient civilisations advocated peace and is among the few countries that have not invaded any other country.

"Every 10 kilometer we have a new language and new food system. The beauty of India lies in celebrating its diversity. Hence each of us loves the person next to us and there is no scope for hatred in this world," he said.

Qazi of Dakshina Kannada Shaikhuna Twaka Ahmed Musliyar said, "When the followers of Prophet Muhammad came to India, the local kings gave them shelter and gave them land to build mosques. Same was mentioned by Arab traveller Ibn-Batuta who pointed out that in Mangaluru, 4,000 Muslims lived under a Qazi and under the shelter of King Rama Dev. Such was the harmony in this place. Hence, Islam in India will always be indebted to the Hindu rulers."

Rendering his address, parish priest of Milagres Church Fr Valerian D'Souza said, "If we see God in our fellow human beings there will be no hatred. If we spread hatred and do not help the one in need, there is no value to the worship we render in our respective places of worship."

Founder of Muslim Rashtriya Manch, a sister concern of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Indresh Kumar said that irrespective of religion, everyone must respect the nation. "All over the world we are recognised from our nationality. It is our duty to safeguard it as we are always indebted to our motherland."

Ramesh Guruji of Agastya Ashram, Kerala also conveyed message of peace and brotherhood.

President of RANKS and former DGP of Kerala police K M Krishnamurthy welcomed the gathering.