Bro Andrew Richard speaks on Religion and Social Equality
Shanti Souharda Adalath
13-09-2016The Karnataka Journalists Union (KJU) and the Dakshina Kannada district administration on Saturday, January 9, 2016 jointly organized a 'Shanti Souharda Adalath' at SCDCC Bank hall, Mangalore.
Justice P Vishwanath Shetty, a retired judge of the Karnataka high court presided over the programme.
The adalat had been organised with the intention of finding causes for frequent communal disturbances, “immoral rowdism” in the district and suggesting remedial measures to curb them.
Addressing the peace meet, Bro Andrew Richard of Grace Ministry said, "This Souharda programme shows that though we are from different communities and religions, everyone respects each other's religion. India is a country which has accommodated many religions. No one should go against their conscience, and if someone does so, such a person would be ready to do anything. Jesus always said one must spread peace in society.
"There have been incidents in the recent past where a father has lost his son and the bereaved family has still not come out of the grief. Because of someone's mistake, someone else lost his life. No religion teaches you to kill or hurt someone. All religions spread the message of peace. We should not cross boundaries set by religious teachings and should not cross the limits of the law. This can help in creating a peaceful society," he said.
Qazi Twaka Ahmed Musliyar said, "Prophet Mohammed endured difficulties for 13 years in Mecca and then migrated to Madina and all through, he spread the message of peace. The main aim of Islam is to spread peace. Prophet Mohammed said that one must always spread peace no matter how difficult it may be. This shows that Islam promotes peace.
"In our district, peace meets are organized now and then but they are not highlighted and people do not know about them. Some communal incidents have occurred in the district and we need to know what was the motive behind them. Quran says if a person hurts anyone, then he is not living an Islamic life. Such a religion will never promote violence. If you go back in history, it is possible that only 12 people had come to India and this country welcomed them and allowed them to live and prosper here. If you do not accommodate and let even one person live peacefully, it is as good as not accommodating the whole mankind," he said.
Swami Vidyavachaspati Vishwa Santosh Bharati of Barkur said, That all religions including Hinduism and Islam advocate peace and harmony. He said that as per the Islamic teachings if a Muslim hurts any other creature, he cannot be a Muslim.
"We (Hindus) have shared cordial relationships with Muslims since the 11th century. All religions spread the message of peace, and particularly Islam stresses more on peace, as it says if a Muslim hurts anyone, then he is not a Muslim and becomes the 'shaitan' (devil). Dissimilarity in administrative and judicial aspects of different religions is the reason for violence. There is a rule that loudspeakers should not be used between 10 pm and 6 am - but this rule is imposed only on Hindu temples - this is a disparity.
Bro Andrew said, "We should try to reform the minds of the criminals. There are so many incidents happening in the city. We the people of Dakshina Kannada are educated and intelligent, but when it comes to religion, we get offended easily. The people who create trouble should be reformed - which is not happening now."
At the end of the meeting, a resolution was passed to maintain peace in society, and that all religious leaders would guide the youngsters in their community, that all people would treat each other as equals and see beyond religion, and that if any wrongdoing was noticed, police would be informed and no one would take law into one's hands.
More Details : Daijiworld.com