Theme: Role of Religions in Saving the Environment

- Report by Connie D’Souza, BULD

The 17th All-Religion Prayer and Get-Together, jointly organized by the Daughters of St. Paul and BUILD in collaboration with Bandra Hindu Association, Anjuman-I-Islam Girls High School  and Brahma Kumaris was held on Sunday, 24th  January 2010 at Mt. Carmel Church Hall, Bandra, Mumbai. 

In her welcome address, Sr. Pauline, dsp, the initiator and coordinator of our Inter-religious meet said: “This is a People’s Forum where persons from different walks of life and age groups come together as children of one God and citizens of this great country.” She highlighted that the purpose of this annual event was to promote peace and harmony and to celebrate unity in diversity.  She also stressed that “it is not a platform for political activity or to compare and contrast one Religion with another.”

This was followed by a short Prayer Service conducted by Meenaben from Brahma Kumaris and Sr. Pauline, which included readings from the Holy Books of different Religions. The messages from various Scriptures reinforced the notion of uniqueness and unity in diversity so beautifully expressed in the Invocation Dance by students of Duruelo Convent High School, Bandra.

In the panel discussion, the Keynote Speaker, Rev. John Shatananda, Vice President, CNI Mumbai Diocese and Vicar of Church of St. Mary the Virgin, brought to light the present great threat of Global Warming caused by increased carbon emission. All Religions teach that both humans and the world are created by God and the greatest Commandment is love of God and love of neighour.  The present challenge is not only to love one’s neighbour but also to preserve Mother Earth and the whole of God’s creation.  He further mentioned that spiritual solace is needed to combat this ecological destruction. This was followed by reflections by speakers from different Religions – Islam, Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist and Brahma Kumaris.