A week to celebrate our national diversity

THE LONG weekend lies ahead, and while many families will be arranging trips to resorts, hosting house parties and setting up braais to take advantage of the welcome break from work and study, we should not lose focus of the religious significance of this auspicious period.

Traditionally referred to as the Easter weekend, this time of year has deep and profound importance for all the major faiths in our diverse nation whose followers will gather for prayers and celebrations from tomorrow.

For those belonging to the Christian faith, it is customary for worshippers to gather for services at churches all over the country on Good Friday in order to commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.

Attracting thousands of worshippers will be the annual Diakonia Good Friday Service where Christians of all denominations will come together to show their solidarity with the oppressed.

Each year, the service highlights a particular aspect of national suffering and injustice. This year’s theme will be “Blessed are the Peacemakers”.

After meditative singing at the Durban Exhibition Centre, there will be a procession by congregants through the streets of Durban to the city hall.

This will be followed by Easter Sunday services to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on the third day after his crucifixion.

For members of the Hindu faith, thousands are expected at traditional religious gatherings at temples in Mount Edgecombe and Isipingo.

At the Shri Mariammen Temple in Mount Edgecombe on Friday, special awards will be presented to community role players and leaders across race and religion for their contributions to society.

Not to be missed over the weekend is the annual Durban Festival of Chariots, an extravaganza of music, dance, food and fashion which traditionally attracts thousands to the beachfront from Friday until Monday.

For the first time, this year, the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is being partnered by POST and The Mercury to promote the event.

There will be services at mosques through the length and breadth of the province.

Given our rich cultural and religious diversity, the weekend provides South Africans from all communities an opportunity to focus on the concept of religious harmony and tolerance.

It is an opportunity to think of ways in which to work together, despite our differences, and to encourage a better understanding of different cultures and religions, thereby enriching our society and encouraging mutual understanding and empathy through dialogue.

Our diversity is a great strength.