Youth group talks peace and peacemaking
Dimapur, May 20 (EMN): Acceptance and respect for people who profess a different faith is important for the uplift of the community, as every religion needs peace and every religion teaches about peace.
This was the core message of what organisers said was an ‘inter-religious’ event that was conducted at Medziphema recently.
During the discussions, the participants spoke about peace and unity, and about having concern for one another.
They spoke about spreading the message of peace, and how it should start from the individual and the family to ensure that there is real peace, the updates stated, offering statements from the interactions.
A youth group, Peace Channel, organized what it said was an “inter-religious dialogue” and a programme on ‘peace building’ in Nagaland on May 19 at Medziphema, in Dimapur district.
A press release from the organisers on Monday informed about the proceedings, and discussions that were had during the programme.
A member of Peace Channel, Zephry Lugun gave the welcome address. Lugun was stated to have given a brief history of how the organisation started. The Peace Channel started as a youth movement, the gathering was told.
Lugun highlighted also the “purpose of the gathering,” the press release stated.
A number of churches leaders, representative from the Hindu community and leaders from the local community and well-wishers attended the event, the organisers informed.
Vitono Gugu Haralu, director of a group called Pathfinder was the moderator for the discussions and for the dialogue session, the updates stated. She was stated to have “emphasized on peace in the community” and that “personal perspective” on peace leads the community for a better future.
During the session, the press release stated, the participants were given time to share their thoughts and understanding of peace. The participants were stated to have opined that acceptance and respect for other religions was important to the uplift of the community.
“Every religion need peace and every religion teaches about peace,” the updates stated.
Some participants spoke about peace as a form of unity, loving one another and helping one, the updates informed.
To spread the message of peace, one should start from within oneself and the family only then there will be real peace, the updates stated, offering statements from the interactions.
“They believe that, through peace we can overcome the challenges of ‘ism.’”
The moderator, Haralu, also spoke about her experience on different conflict situations.
Haralu cited an instance of different faith denominations in the society which she asserted has divided the people and the church.
‘We Nagas are tolerant, but what is the basis of our tolerance? And how long will it last?’ she queried the participants.
After the discussion, an ‘action plan’ was made that more programmes would be initiated.
Likewise, training programmes on peace and relevant topics to the youth, religious leaders and community leaders would be made, the updates stated.
The session concluded with a prayer, the press release added.
