Interfaith rally in Imphal appeal for peace & dialogue

July 12, 2023 28 Views No Comment

DIMAPUR, JULY 12 (MExN): An interfaith rally appealing for end of violence and initiatives for dialogue was taken out on Tuesday in Palace compound Imphal.

People belonging to diverse religious/faith traditions, ethnic and spiritual communities actively participated in the rally, expressing their voices against the continuing violence, for saving lives and humanity, and initiatives for dialogue.

The rally was organized by Interfaith Forum for Peace and Harmony, Manipur (IFPH). Five MPs from Kerala and Tamil Nadu also joined the rally to express their solidarity with the interfaith initiatives.

Addressing the media in the campus of Bal Vidya Mandir, Deben Bachaspatimayum, Convenor, IFPH said people of all age and sex who participated in the rally are concerned citizens of India who also represented the core values of humanity across diverse religious, faiths and spiritual communities in the state.

He said the rally was to collectively mourn the death of over hundreds of precious lives in this war like situation in Manipur; say prayers and supports for healing thousands who are injured in their bodies, hearts and minds, orphaned and displaced in thousands of relief camps.

To share collective empathies and solidarity with lakhs of innocent people across the divides who have become victims of the ongoing ethnic violence. And to extend collective support and solidarity with women organizations and concerned senior citizens groups who have started calling for ceasefire and dialogue.

Bachaspatimayum further stated that the forum considered it as moral, social and historical responsibility to make a collective humble appeal to all concerned including state and non-state parties.

As a collective, the forum appealed for immediate end to the ongoing violence and save humanity for the present and future children, create safe space and social infrastructures to build trust and confidence across the divides for humanitarian services to reach all who are in need. It also appealed for initiating inclusive and sustained dialogue processes by using neutral and professional groups.

Stating that saving life is greater than killing, the convener stated the forum will take further actions in consultations and collaboration with likeminded people across India if violence continues.

Members of the forum include All Manipur Buddhists Association; All Manipur Christian Organization, Art of Living, Manipur, Bhakti Seva Lub/Ekta Parishad, Brahmakumari Manipur, Catholic Diocese Imphal, Divine Life Society, Manipur, Federation of Madrasahs, Manipur, International Society of Gaudiya Vaishnavas, International Society of Krishna Consciousness, Manipur, Jain Samaj, Manipur, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Manipur, Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board, Mahatma Seva Ashram, Manipur, Manipur Baptist Convention, Meitei Christian Church Council Manipur, Manipur Cultural Integration Conference, Naga Christian Forum Manipur, Rongmei Naga Baptist Association, Tinkao Ragwang Chapriak, Phom (ANM), etc.