Media Release

Mangaluru, Dec 19: St Agnes College (Autonomous), in association with the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue of Mangalore and the Chair in Christianity at Mangalore University, organized 'Peace beyond boundaries: Youth nurturing harmony among faiths', an interfaith programme at the Centenary Auditorium.

The speakers of the day were Dr John Baptist Saldanha, PRO, diocese of Mangalore, and the parish priest of St Francis Xavier Church, Bejai; Brahma Kumari Vishweshwari, in charge of Brahma Kumaris Mangaluru; and Ashfaq Ahmed Shareef, chairman of Sanmarga Publication Trust Mangaluru. Dr Sunil G D'Souza. head of the chair of Christianity at Mangalore University, Rupesh Madtha is the convenor of commissions for interreligious dialogue and ecumenism in the diocese of Mangalore, and Sr Dr M Venissa AC, the principal of St Agnes College (Autonomous), were also present.

Dr John Baptist Saldanha addressing the gathering said, "We are not just bridge builders; we need to become bridges and create peace and harmony in the society. This invites us to let go of our prejudice and become peacemakers. Brahma Kumaris Vishweshwari spoke about the meaning of the chant 'Om Shanti' and peace is an inside job. We cannot and do not get peace anywhere but deep within." Ashfaq Ahmed appraised about the importance of justice in order to create a peaceful society. He brought up instances in Islamic history of where and how peaceful coexistence existed.

The programme concluded with an interactive session.