Sharma perceives his personal mission as a small but significant effort to promote the idea of communal peace. He wishes to convey to the general public through his works that it is perfectly acceptable to visit a place of worship that does not belong to one's religion, and this should not be viewed as an act against Hinduism.

Despite identifying as Hindu, Sharma does not consider himself to be particularly religious. He acknowledges that Hindus generally do not visit non-Hindu places of worship, but Sharma believes that this mindset needs to be changed. Read more

The company believed it to be a general image of an angel.

The artist - a Catholic who abandoned the faith for Mormonism - had listed the image as of Moroni on his own social media account. Read more

Archbishop Agustinus Agus of Pontianak was among five local officials and religious leaders to attend the event on Aug. 21 in Landak district.

West Kalimantan police chief Remigius Sigid Tri Hardjanto laid the first stone for the Nur Aman Mosque located on the grounds of the district police headquarters. Read more

Former Methodist leader Keith Rowe says church groups haven't gone far enough in accepting Islam.

Overall, Rowe says, the Christian response was a hospitable one.

"Many embraced their Muslim neighbours in a way they hadn't before," he says.

"I think a lot of people in the church and the wider community crossed over the line from suspicion to embrace, and that was a pretty big step for them - given the bad press the Islamic faith in general gets."

But he says the response has not gone far enough.

"It fell short of ... celebrating and welcoming the Muslim presence in New Zealand.

"It didn't acknowledge any Christian complicity in the perpetuation of Islamaphobic attitudes across the centuries.

"And it didn't look forward to working together with the Muslim community for the common good."

Rowe believes Christian churches of all types need to get over their view that they alone have access to truth.

Some of the more fundamentalist branches of Christianity have reacted angrily to the outpouring of support for Islam after the Christchurch mosque attack.

They are concerned that acceptance is the first step on the way to the "deletion" of the Christian God, the rise of Islamic radicals and eventually the implementation of Sharia law in New Zealand.

Rowe's story demonstrates how fear and suspicion can be overcome by personal contact.

In Sydney he became involved in Christian-Muslim relations while working at a parish next to Al Faisal College in Auburn.

"I developed a deep friendship with the director there."

Over the next few years, he developed Christian theology and practice for inter-faith engagement.

He wrote a book called Living With the Neighbour Who is Different, organised a gathering of imams and church ministers from across Sydney and visited Saudi Arabia with a Muslim group.

Source

stuff.co.nz

stuff.co.nz

The inaugural Interfaith Memorial Bike Ride was organised on Sunday to bring people together after the tragic mosque shootings on March 15 and there was an air of excitement as we waited in the autumn sunshine. Read more

The verse, Luke 19:27, reads: "But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me," according to the King James version of the Bible. Read more

It was the first time Parliament had opened with a Muslim prayer, to the best knowledge of the Speaker's Office.

The interfaith group included representatives of the Islamic, Jewish, Buddhist, Sikh, Hindu, Ratana, Catholic, Anglican and Presbyterian faiths and churches.

The Catholic archbishop of Wellington Cardinal John Dew represented the Catholic church.

In New Zealand's Parliament, non-MPs on the floor of the debating chamber are known as strangers.

As the name implies they are not allowed there and are not welcome.

That, however, was not the case on Tuesday.

"I've asked a group of religious leaders to come into Parliament with me as a sign of unity and togetherness ..." Mallard said.

Sung first in Arabic by Imam Nizam ul haq Thanvi, and then translated into English, the prayer asked God for help with "patience and prayers", noting "God is with people who are patient".

The prayer also acknowledged Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and those who responded to the terror attack including medical staff, the police, religious groups and all New Zealanders who had offered help and support.

The Imam's prayer was followed by prayers from both Maori and Pakeha MPs.

Source

• radionz.co.nz
• newsroom.co.nz
• Image: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King

The church was packed to overflowing with many dozens more outside and across the road outside the mosque.

The mosque and the church face each other across Vermont St in the inner city suburb of Ponsonby.

For many years the two worshipping communities have enjoyed a warm and friendly relationship.

On certain significant Muslim holy days, the mosque community uses the parish's parking facilities.

College students in uniform from St Mary's and St Paul's Colleges were present and helped lead the liturgy, as did seminarians from Holy Cross College.

In his welcome, Bishop Pat read the letter from Pope Francis who expressed his sadness, solidarity and prayer.

Psalms showing many commonalities between the Muslim and Christian faiths were prayed, and the prayer of St Francis, ‘Make me a channel of your peace' was sung.

The two Muslim speakers gave moving addresses.

The family of one of them immigrated to Auckland in 1907 and he regards himself as a true Kiwi.

Sadness was mixed with humour in his speech. Referring to the two fully armed policemen who were on duty outside the church, he expressed gratitude to the Catholics for allowing them to park in church grounds and, turning to Bishop Pat, said "You don't need to show mercy when my Muslim brothers block your parking - you can call the police and have them towed".

He said that Muslims considered Mary the most important of all women, and her son, Jesus, a great prophet. Any Muslim who denies Jesus, he said, is not a true Muslim.

The second Muslim speaker, who had lost dear friends in the massacre, spoke of violence and hatred. He mentioned a case where an imam was giving hate speeches in Auckland - the mosque was closed and the imam removed.

He reiterated that the violent act should be answered with love and support.

A collection was taken to be presented to the Muslim community for the support of the Christchurch Muslim families.

After the service, to the singing of Mo Maria, Bishop Pat, the Muslim community and the whole congregation of many denominations and faiths processed with flowers across the road to the mosque and were warmly welcomed inside, where there were speeches of welcome, gratitude and solidarity in faith.

Source

Supplied: Lyndsay Freer. Spokesperson for the Catholic diocese of Auckland

"We are unable to express the confusion and pain we feel.

"Our grief threatens to overwhelm our community at the tragic loss of our sisters and brothers and the act of hate that has been inflicted," Martin said at a memorial Mass on Saturday.

"We know that our loving God has not caused this pain, but the freedom God gives us as a mark of his great love has been tragically misused and abused," the bishop said.

"We gather here this morning because we are at a loss about what to do or what to say. I know that many of you have already reached out to members of the Muslim community in your neighbourhoods and workplaces. Your acts of love are already overpowering the hate," he said.

Three and a half hours after the mass shootings at two mosques in Christchurch last Friday, New Zealand's six Catholic bishops had issued a statement expressing their solidarity with New Zealand's Muslim community.

Their message reads:

"Dear Members of the Muslim community in Aotearoa New Zealand,

"We hold you in prayer as we hear the terrible news of violence against Muslims at mosques in Christchurch.

"We are profoundly aware of the positive relationships we have with Islamic people in this land, and we are particularly horrified that this has happened at a place and time of prayer.

"We are deeply saddened that people have been killed and injured, and our hearts go out to them, their families and wider community.

"We wish you to be aware of our solidarity with you in the face of such violence."

The bishops signed their letter "Peace, Salaam,"

An ecumenical grouping of churches comprising Baptist, Anglican, Methodist, Salvation Army, Catholic and independent churches, the Christchurch Inner-City Christian Ministers' Association, wrote to the city's Muslim community saying:

"In the face of today's horrific shooting, the combined inner-city Christian ministers and their congregations wish to extend our love to the wider Muslim Community of Christchurch and assure them of our friendship and support at this time of great loss.

"Be assured of our continuing prayers as our joint city community and people struggle to understand what has happened in the wake of this unconscionable act.

"As members of two faith traditions, born out of a shared Abrahamic inheritance, we stand in solidarity with you, looking and crying to God, the source of all."

A message sent by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, on behalf of Pope Francis, said the pope was "deeply saddened to learn of the injury and loss of life caused by the senseless acts of violence" at the mosques.

"He assures all New Zealanders, and in particular the Muslim community, of his heartfelt solidarity in the wake of these attacks." He also offered prayers and blessings to those injured, those grieving, those who died and emergency personnel involved.

Source

• cruxnow.com
• stuff.co.nz
• Supplied: Amanda Gregan. Communications Advisor - NZ Catholic Bishops Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa
• facebook.com
• twitter.com
• cruxnow.com
• catholic.org.nz
• cny.org
• christiantoday.com
• Image: stuff.co.nz

18 March 2019

Dear brothers and sisters in Aotearoa New Zealand,

It is with profound sadness that we grieve for the deaths and injury of Muslims in Christchurch through the violence of extremists. We grieve too for the loss of a sense of safety and peace for all Muslims in this land in the face of such an attack. Every Kiwi, new or old, now feels our heart touched by the evil of hatred. The stark reality that our neighbours could do such a thing moves us to an even deeper awareness of the overwhelming need for love to be the driving force in our relationships with one another, rather than animosity or narrow-mindedness.

As a committee and as individuals we have formed many wonderful relationships with Muslim friends and acquaintances. We have been blessed by dialogue which has revealed the beauty and peace of those who live a religion of prayer, generosity and belief in the same God of Abraham in whom we believe. Our practices and understandings regarding faith may be different in many ways, but there is much we share and celebrate. Our differences are an opportunity to engage with one another, never a reason for division.

While our hearts go out to our Muslim brothers and sisters in their loss, pain and fear, we wish to draw attention away from the murder and violence towards the need for each of us to open our hearts to those of different cultures and faiths. We pray not just for healing of the injured and comfort to those who mourn, but for a renewed outreach to others in love, kindness and welcome.

The displays of grief and compassion exhibited by so many people since this terrible atrocity signal hope. They reveal the larger truth of humanity in response to a closed hatred. We need to continue to practically reach out to one another in friendship and kindness. It needs to be more than a moment in time but a habit of life. Ultimately it is a personal choice, in our context, to do as Jesus did - to smother hatred through reaching out with physical hands and loving our neighbour.

We especially hold our Muslim friends in prayer at this time and we pray for all peoples and all faiths. May we be instruments of peace to one another so that all may feel safe and loved.

Peace, Salaam, Colin MacLeod

On behalf of committee members:

+Michael Dooley, Colin MacLeod (chair), Mary Eastham, Adele Churchman, Teresa Fernandez, Matthew Gardner, Daniel Kleinsman, Beate Matthies and Christopher Longhurst

* The NZCBCIR has produced a small booklet, Promoting Interfaith Relations, which might help with some ideas and suggestions for supporting the building of relationships. The link is: www.catholic.org.nz/assets/PromotingInterfaithRelations.pdf

The booklet provides practical guidance and encouragement for people to welcome and nurture relationships with those of other faiths.

Chair of the NZCBCIR, Colin MacLeod says, "we see these guidelines as being particularly useful for dioceses, parishes, schools and chaplaincies.

The world in which we live is often marked by conflicts, violence and war and fostering deeper dialogue people and greater understanding of beliefs and cultures underpins any pathway to peace."

This revision, founded in humility and respect, challenges and supports readers to develop their own faith, while building dialogue and relationships with those who may hold very different religious beliefs from their own.

As Pope Francis simply states, "Interreligious dialogue is a necessary condition for peace in the world, and so it is a duty for Christians as well as other religious communities.

This dialogue is in first place a conversation about human existence or simply, as the bishops of India have put it, a matter of being open to them, sharing their joys and sorrows". (Evangelii Gaudium, 250.)

The NZCBCIR was established in October 2009 to support promoting greater understanding, respect and dialogue between the members of the Catholic Church and members of other faiths in New Zealand.

The committee is made up of representatives from each diocese in Aotearoa New Zealand and meets three times a year.

The booklet are available through the NZCBC website

Supplied: New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference. Ko te Huinga Pihopa o te Hahi Katorika o Aotearoa

Widodo was welcomed by KWI president Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo of Jakarta, secretary-general Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin of Bandung and 8 other bishops.

"In the meeting, I talked about issues related to the Pancasila [the 5 principles on which the Indonesian state is based) as well as diversity especially in terms of religion, ethnicity, customs and traditions that we must continue to maintain," Widodo later told reporters.

"We must maintain our brotherhood, harmony and unity," he said.

During the meeting that lasted more than an hour, each bishop briefed the president on issues affecting his diocese.

Archbishop Suharyo told UCANEWS that president Widodo's visit was "to build friendship" and had "nothing to do with the presidential election," next year.

General elections in Indonesia are scheduled for April 17, 2019.

For the first time, the president and all the members of the People's Consultative Assembly will be elected on the same day.

Suharyo said, "There was no specific issue raised by the president during the meeting. He just wanted to hear directly from Catholics [about problems they are facing]."

The visit was Widodo's first as president. He had visited the conference's headquarters twice while he was Jakarta's governor from 2012 until 2014.

Suharyo also revealed that Widodo wanted to visit the Vatican.

"If it really happens, then the noble values the Indonesian people live by will be recognized by the international community," he said, referring to diversity and secularism enshrined in the constitution.

Bishop Leo Laba Ladjar of Jayapura said the president stressed the need to maintain diversity "because religious identity has become a big issue, particularly ahead of the presidential election."

Source

ucanews.com

en.antaranews.

vaticannews.

Image: ucanews.com

Despite their different faiths, the two houses of worship are friendly, helpful neighbours — and an example of pluralism in the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation at a time of heightened fears over religious intolerance.

"We respect each other," said Nur Alam, an imam at the Sunda Kelapa Grand Mosque which opened in 1971. "If we never offend other people, then we will be respected."

Across the street, Adriaan Pitoy is a pastor at St. Paul's Church which was built in 1936 under the Dutch colonial administration.

Known locally as the Gereja Protestan di Indonesian Bagian Barat "Paulus", Jakarta (St. Paul's Protestant Church in West Indonesia, Jakarta) or in short GPIB Jakarta, it is a Reformed church.

"Our relationship is just one of many steps we take," he said of the neighbours at the mosque. "We also go to other mosques to promote dialogue. Our relationship with our friends next door is normal."

For the two houses of worship, normal means sharing parking spaces during busier services: Friday Prayer for the mosque, Sunday service for the church.

They also host interfaith dialogue sessions and even volleyball tournaments.

During Ramadan, the Muslim holy fasting month, the staff at St. Paul's, some of whom are Muslim, carry boxes of food to the mosque for worshipers there to break their fast.

Source

• New York Times
• Revolvy.com
• Image: New York Times

Gregorius Soetomo graduated cum laude on May 24. One of his dissertation supervisors and examiners was prominent Islamic scholar Azyumardi Azra.

He became the first Jesuit priest to earn a doctorate in Islamology from the prestigious Islamic university.

"I use a historical approach to interpret contemporary social phenomena on Islam and politics. Religious fundamentalism and exclusivism have become issues everywhere," Greg said.

He told the Jakarta Post some people had questioned why he should be studing Islam, "as if I was done with my studies on Catholicism."

Others were anxious because they perceived him to be too sympathetic towards Islam.

He was also asked if studying Islam for four years had made him doubt the teachings of the Catholic church.

While many people are becoming pessimistic about the future of Indonesia's interfaith tolerance after going through the recent highly divisive election in Jakarta, Greg retains a cautious optimism on the country's future.

"If you really look at history, human beings are always destined to progress. We never regress," he said.

"The process to attain that progress, however, is never linear; it is a spiral."

"Human beings are quick to learn, but at certain periods, they can be quite slow."

"For instance, in the 15th and 16th centuries, Christians were massacring one another and branding followers of different denominations infidels when the church was having an affair with politics."

"But that has led to positive reforms within the church itself."

"Prior to the second Vatican council from 1962 to 1965, for example, the Catholic Church insisted that there was no salvation outside the church."

"During that council, however, the church changed its stance and asserted that people were also redeemed outside the church through their goodwill and kindness."

Source

• The Jakarta Post
• Image: Universitas Islam Negeri (UIN)

Father Vinsensius Darmin Mbula, chairman of the National Council of Catholic Education says diversity, pluralism and tolerance need to be taught to children in the family and in school.

He said advice would be sought from Islamic experts and thinkers from other religions.

The guidelines will not only incorporate promoting the values of Pancasila — Indonesia's philosophy to respect pluralism, it will refer to Pope Francis' document, Educating Intercultural Dialogue in Catholic Schools: Living in Harmony for a Civilisation of Love.

Mbula said the guidelines would be presented to the government, where he hopes they would be integrated into the mainstream curriculum.

"In the current curriculum there is no special attention given to efforts to cultivate awareness about diversity and building tolerance."

Mbula referred to a 2015 survey in 171 schools in Jakarta and Bandung, West Java that revealed 9.5 percent of students supported violence committed by radical groups, including the so-called Islamic State group.

An earlier survey by the Institute for Islamic and Peace Studies revealed that almost 50 percent of students supported radical ideas.

Ahmad Nurcholish, a Muslim, and chairman of the education of diversity and peace division at the Indonesian Conference on Religion and Peace said students must have an inclusive and contextual understanding of religion.

"There are still many who only believe in the 'truth' of their religion, dismissing other people's beliefs as wrong and misguided," he said.

Source

• UCAN
• Image: Quora

Diwali, a Hindu festival, which signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and hope over despair, involves followers of the religion decorating their homes with lights and setting off fireworks in celebration.

It is celebrated in countries such as Fiji, Guyana, Pakistan, Malaysia, Mauritius, Myanmar, Singapore and Sri Lanka. It is a big occasion in India and Nepal which have large Hindu populations.

In his Diwali message, Fiji's prime minister Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama asked every Fijian to take time during the celebration and reflect on the source of strength as united citizens of this country.

"It always makes me proud that, year after year, our society has shown that our different faiths are a source of harmony, peace and togetherness."

"As Fijians, we share in the joy of each other's festivities and we treat our fellow Fijians with the utmost respect," he said.

The Methodist Church in Fiji has extended its well wishes to all its fellow Fijians of the Hindu faith community

Methodist Church president Reverend Dr Tevita Banivanua said: "The fact that we live in a country, that since independence has not only acknowledged the different faith communities, but also celebrates together our diverse experiences and expressions of faith, is proof that Fiji, despite our many differences can be one nation."

The people of Fiji celebrate Diwali with elaborate lighting and candle decorations. They exchange greetings, sweets and gifts of love.

Several schools also organise Diwali celebrations to help children understand its social, cultural and religious significance.

They have singing, essay writing, quizzes, rangoli making, and Diwali greeting card designing competitions besides hosting talks in Hindi, English and Fijian languages.

Some schools carry out Lakshami Pooja one of the the important rituals performed during the festival of Diwali.

Source

• thenational.ae
• fijitimes.com
• fijitimes.com
• Image: fijilive.com

In a surprise move, the 39 Islamic extremists who opposed the construction of a replica of the Lourdes grotto in the Yogyakarta province have withdrawn their complaint.

The Muslim group had sought legal means to stop the building of the shrine because it was built in an area prone to natural disasters and was also seen as a way to spread Christianity.

In mid-July fundamentalists had requested the revocation of the building permit granted by the authorities in February.

The Catholics says that the decision to drop the charges was made "to avoid the climate of tension that has been created between those for and against."

"We see the move is part of an effort to maintain the religious harmony," Agnes Dwi Rujiastuti, spokeswoman of an advocacy team for the Marian shrine, told ucanews.com on Aug. 8.

"We tried to find a solution outside of the trial process," said Dwi Rujiastuti, which she said was fruitful.

"We realised that the issue wasn't about a conflict between local Muslims and Catholics. It was about the existence of intolerant groups. We agreed that intolerance is our enemy," she added, recalling that a number of Muslim hardliners from other regions always attended the court hearings related to the shrine.

Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation.

Catholics number seven millions or about 3 per cent.

In Jakarta, they are about 3.6 per cent. They play an active role in society, the country's development, and emergency situations.

Source

• asianews.it
• asianews.it
• ucanews.com
• Image: asianews.com

"This is a powerful message of unity by a wise and humble leader. Our prayers are with you." says Pastor Ray Kinsella, Grace Christian Ministries (GCA) in Saipan.

Bishop-elect of Chalan Kanoa, Ryan Jimenez, has invited people to celebrate his ordination with a bike ride.

Bike the Faith (BTF) is not a race. It is a faith-raising fundraising journey.

It will raise funds for Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Marriage Encounter and the Solomon Islands Catholic Community

Jimenez said BTF is an inter-faith event "to integrate my advocacy for healthy living for our community along with strengthening our faith."

The primary beneficiary is the Solomon Islands Catholic Community, "our sister community with great needs to minister to our fellow Catholics there."

The Marriage Encounter local program will be able to continue to advocate for healthy families with its various programs.

The bike riders will go up Navy Hill to GCA for a prayer with Pastor Ray Kinsella. They then its on to Kristo Rai Church for a prayer.

Then they will ride to Life in the Son Church at Gualo Rai to receive blessings with Pastor Eric Abragan.

After that they head for Saipan Community Church and Pastor Roger Abe for beachside blessing.

Finally the bikers visit the ordination location at the Mount Carmel Cathedral for the celebration and final blessing by Pale Ryan aka soon-to-be Bishop Ryan.

Source

• mvariety.com
• Image: mvariety.com