The speakers at an inter-religious meeting said we were human beings and that should be our greatest identity.
Chittagong region chapter of Caritas, a charitable organisation organised the meeting titled “We Do Works of Mercy, We Become Merciful’ at Caritas regional training centre in the city yesterday.
Theologians from four leading religions, including Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity, delivered their speeches at the meeting.
While addressing as the chief guest at the meeting, Abdul Jalil, Chittagong additional deputy commissioner (general), said Bangladesh was a model of communal harmony.
“All citizens can practise their respective religions freely and peacefully, a right guaranteed by the Constitution of Bangladesh. This type of inter-religious dialogue should be held in a large scale,” said Jalil.
“Every religion of the world tried to answer three fundamental questions- Who am I? From where did I come? Where I shall go when I die,” said Jalil.
The meeting was addressed by Moses Costa, Bishop of Chittagong Diocese, Parish Priest Leonard C Reberio, Alim Ullah, Khatib of Khaja Abu Bakar Siddique Jame Masjid, Chittagong, Prof Dr Dipangkar Srigyan Barua of Chittagong University and Swami Shakti Nathanandaji Maharaja, principal, Chittagong Ramkrishna Sevashrama and James Gomes, regional director of Chittagong Caritas, among others.
“Every religion put emphasis on the love and mercy and Islam is not an exception to this. We will have to answer to Allah for our deeds on the Day of Judgment. We should keep in mind that Allah will not forgive if we deprive anybody of his or her rights,” said Alim Ullah.
“Before becoming merciful towards others we should practise righteousness. Gautama Buddha advised us to practise mercy,” said Prof Dr Dipangkar Srigyan Barua.
Referring to the quote of Swami Vivekananda, Swami Shakti Nathanandaji Maharaja said expansion meant life while contraction meant death.
“We should donate with humility and donate the best things,” said Maharaja. “Religious diversity enriches Bangladesh. The religion is not to blame if any individual belonging to any religion does anything which is conflict with religion,” said Moses Costa.
