Members of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind were invited to speak at various Inter faith meet organized across Goa in the month of October. Inter faith meet were held at Rachol Seminary, GVM College –Ponda, Sanguem Church, D.V college Ponda and Our Lady of Remedios Church- Betalbatim .
The atmosphere of intolerance all across the nation has given a natural importance and significance to such Inter-faith Meets. The speakers at all the meets were unanimous in their view that the need for understanding each other’s beliefs and practices to remove misconceptions and propaganda was the need of the hour.
The speakers on behalf of the Muslim Community were Br. Asif Hussain at Rachol Seminary,Br.Altaf Shah at D.V College Ponda and Betalbatim, Br. Irshad Moosa at GVM Ponda .
Br. Asif Hussain said that the root cause of disharmony in human life is because of our deviating from the guidance revealed by the Creator through his Prophets. He said Quran speaks of the books revealed earlier and prior to the last of the books that is the Holy Quran. He said Muslims believe in all the Prophets and divine books revealed by the Creator and do not distinguish between them.
At D.V . College Br. Altaf Shah said presently religiosity is restricted to following few rituals with ignorant followers in every religion. He said it was necessary for each one of us to read and study our scriptures and build a conscious faith system then mere blind following.
Br.Irshad Moosa at GVM Ponda expressed the need for members of all the different communities to learn about each other and come to common points and work closely to solve common problems facing the society . He said we should all unite to rid the society of all social vices such as casino’s, prostitution, alcohol and drug abuse and female feticide. He appealed to the students community to play a vital role in maintaining the unity of the country and not fall prey to the propaganda unleashed to divide the people on the basis of the their religion and food preferences.
A Sarv Dharm Sammelan was organized on the occasion of Chaturmas Varshayog at Mollem. Many religious leaders from Goa and Karnataka participated in the meet . Fr. Noel from Rachol Seminary, Br. Asif Hussain –secretary Jamaat-e-islami Hind along with Swamiji Maharaj from Partagali Jeevottam Mutt attended the Sarv dharm Sammelan along with other religious heads from Kolhapur, Sirsi and Belgaum.
A gathering of over a thousand people from all walks of life reiterated the importance of unity in diversity and the plural nature of the country. The program was graced by the presence of North Goa MP and Minister of State Mr. Shripad Naik.
Br. Asif Hussain while addressing sammelan asked the audience to cast glance at the nature around and ponder over the wisdom of the Creator and conclude that he creates everything beautifully and in proportion and balance and with a purpose. He said the paramount duty of Mankind is to fulfill the purpose for God created mankind. He said God has deputed mankind as his representative and trustees on earth. He implored the people to make use of the resources of the earth keeping in mind the accountability before Him. He asked people to avoid wastage and preserve the nature and said the need of the hour was to lead a life in accordance with the divine guidance.
All the speakers appreciated the initiative by the organizers of the different Inter faith Meet across Goa and said such initiative will help communities to come closer and understand each other.
