IIC hosts religious harmony forum in conjunction with World Interfaith Harmony Week
KUCHING: A religious harmony forum themed ‘ Love God, Love Neighbour’ was held at the Islamic Information Centre ( IIC) here yesterday.
According to organisers, the forum, held for the first time in the state, was in conjunction with the state-level World Interfaith Harmony Week.
The forum’s panelists comprise Chin Chia Chau representing Bahá’í religion, Balacahandaran Annamalai ( Hinduism), Venerable Bhikkhuni Dhammika ( Buddhism), Firdaus Wong Wai Hung ( Islam), Reverend Fr Felix Au (Christianity), Gurdial Singh ( Sikh) and Jong Yeng Hui ( Taoism).
Organising chairman Datu Dr Ngenang Jangu who is also the director of Unit for other Religions ( Unifor), the forum is a manifestation of the state’s multi-religious and multi-racial people who respect each other irrespective of their creed.
“Although the World Interfaith Harmony Week is celebrated for a week around the world, it is our hope that the values of unity that we enjoy will be forever here in the state,” he added at the forum’s opening ceremony.
Jointly organised by Unifor, National Unity and Integration Department (JPNIN), IIC and Sarawak Islamic Council, the forum was a platform to discuss the role of every citizen on racial unity and solidarity through the formation of positive values.
“This forum also serves as a platform for the strengthening of inter-ethnic understanding which in turn contributes to the high level of friendship among the ethnic groups in the country. We also expect to strengthen the harmony between religious bodies through programmes and activities that can promote respect, tolerance and acceptance of other religions through this forum,” he said.
Also present during the event was Minister for Welfare, Community Wellbeing, Women, Family and Childhood Development Dato Sri Fatimah Abdullah.