Mangalore: 'Religious Tolerance is Strength of the Community'
by Stany Bantwal / Nellu Permannur
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Dec 21: The Infant Jesus Shrine, Bikarnakatte,Mangalore together with Rishyvana, Ranipura  had jointly organized Inter –Religious Prayer Meet at The Infant Jesus Shrine Campus ,Bikarnakatte. The prayer meet was intended with a dual motive; to pray for the victims of Mumbai terror attacks and to promote peace, solidarity, unity and oneness among all the citizens of Mangalore.

Fr. John Sequiera, the director of Ryshivana welcomed the gathering and explained the above purpose of organizing the meet.

Rt.Dr. Aloysius Paul D'souza,Bishop of Mangalore, Dr. C.L.Furtado,Bishop Emiritus,CSI Karnataka, Southern Diocese, Rev.Dr.John Fernandes,Chairperson,Dept. of Christianity, University of Mangalore. Dr. Akhtar Husain, Chair in Islamic Studies. Shree Mohandas Swamiji, Shree Dham, Maanila, Bantwal, Prajapita Brahma Kumari, Vishveshwari, A.H.Ayoob of Maulana Jumma Masjid, Fr. Victor Machado, Rector of St. Joseph's Seminary, Fr. George Santhumayor, Rector of Infant Jesus Shrine and Fr. John Sequeira, director of Ryshivana were the dignitaries on the dais.

Bishop Aloysius Paul D'souza, the president of the meet, addressing the gathering called the people of all faith to be the light of the world. "A small change in our thinking pattern can make the world beautiful" said Dr. Akhtar Husain, Chair in Islamic Studies.

Dr. Hussain was speaking at the Inter-Religious Prayer meet at Bikarnakatte.  He highlighted the various virtues of Islam and appealed to the gathering not to relate every Muslim with terrorism. "Religious tolerance is the strength of the community and solution to any problems lies in tolerance "he said further.

Shree Mohandas Swamiji, Shree Dham, Maanila, Mangalore speaking on the occasion stressed the need to use the God given opportunities to strengthen our unity and relationship. "All should feel the pain of the communities facing the communal disturbances" he opined further.

"All the religion should walk the path of peace" said Rev.Dr.John Fernandes, Chairperson, Dept. of Christianity, and University of Mangalore.  He also stressed the need to take our religion to our neighbour through the dialogue of words and thoughts

Prayers were offered by Prajapita Brahma Kumari,Vishveshwari (Ishwarya Wishwa Vidhyalaya) and Bishop Emeritus of CSI, Rt. Dr. C.L.Furtado. A tribute was paid to the victims of Mumboi terrorist attacks, through a minute silence. People stood by holding lighted candles in their hands

On this occasion  various items like Prayer dance (Stella Maris  Novitiate ), group dance (Carmel Hill Brothers),song (Cambridge School, Paladane),Ballet (Sandesha,Mangalore) and 'Tem Ek Nekhetr"   (Santa Cruz Convent) were presented. Fr. Nelson Pinto  OCD proposed the vote of thanks while  Vasant Marate, a teacher of Sacred Heart high School,Kulshekar compered the programme