SOUTH ASIA INTERFAITH HARMONY CONCLAVE
By Kirpa Sagar 

A South Asia Interfaith Harmony Conclave was held in Rajiv Gandhi Foundation Hall of the Jawaharlal Nehru Bhavan, Delhi, on April 21-22, 2007. The principal organisers of the conclave were the Interfaith Harmony Foundation of India, the Indian Council For Cultural Relations and the Temple of Understanding (India). The subject discussed was the Role of Religion and Spirituality In Promoting Universal Human Values. It was attended by senior representatives of nine world religions from India and across the South Asian region. His Holiness Baba Hardev Singh Ji Maharaj represented the Sant Nirankari Mission at the conclave. 

The Conclave was inaugurated by Dr. Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India, in the presence of Dr. Karan Singh, Chairman, Indian Council of Cultural Relations, Shrimati Sheila Dikshit, Chief Minister of Delhi, and Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed, Chairman, Interfaith Harmony Foundation. 

In his address the Prime Minister said: �Through the Constitution of India, every citizen of the country is committed to secularism which means equal respect for all religions. We accept all religions as true. We accept outward diversities but not the internal ones. We believe that we must be spiritually one. When it comes to interfaith relations, religious 'tolerance' would not be sufficient, we must endeavour for religious 'harmony'. And, as in the past, India must show the path to the world. Instead of majority community or minority community, we must talk in terms of humanity.� 

In his Presidential address, Dr. Karan Singh said: �Religion has a mixed impression�the one that of cultural beauty, promoting moral values, and the other that of spreading of hatred, violence and terrorism. We should care more for the religion that seeks to enhance the quality of human life. As we talk of Interfaith Harmony, our outlook should be to identify and integrate the common principles of various religions that may promote human values and make man virtuous. Divine God has to be one despite the numerous names we use for Him. India has a long history of peaceful co-existence of people subscribing to different religions. Let us take it further.�  

Earlier, as Chairperson of the Reception Committee, Shrimati Sheila Dikshit welcomed the delegates hoping that those coming from outside India would like the city and its hospitality. 

In his Vote of Thanks, the Convener of the conclave, Dr. Khwaja Iftikhar Ahmed said: �The Interfaith Harmony Foundation of India symbolizes the sentiment of the Muslims of India that they have accepted the challenge of terrorism in the name of religion which it would like to counter, moving hand in hand with other religions. The Conclave was being shared by nine religious faiths and one Spiritual Movement from South Asian Region. The foundation plans to set up a Harmony Compound where every religious faith will have a place to preach its teachings. The Foundation has also instituted some national and international awards for outstanding work towards Peace, Tolerance and Harmony.� 

Addressing the Conclave, Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji said: �We can achieve this goal (of Interfaith harmony) if we all teach man the basic universal values of love, compassion and tolerance. We must preach the Religion of Humanity so that man abstains from hurting man: 

Dharm Hai Bas Insan Hona,
Koi Aur Dharam Iman Nahin.

(To be truly religious, one has only to behave like a true human being). 

We claim that God made man in His own image. Lord Rama, Lord Krishna, Lord Jesus Christ, Hazrat Mohammad, Guru Nanak and all other saints, Gurus and prophets taught a human being to behave like a human being. No doubt, we remember and revere them, but we do not follow what they taught. The violence and bloodshed today only reveals that we have forgotten their teachings of love, compassion, peace and harmony. A poet has aptly said: 

Daryaon Pe Bandh Banane Walo,
Jazbe-e-Nafrat Pe Bhi Bandh Banaya Hota. 

It means that man has made a lot of progress in the material sphere. He has built barrages across rivers but failed to build barriers to stem the feelings of hatred 

�We have to exist together. All our diversities do not prevent us from uniting. I have been visiting and talking to people across the globe for the past 27 years. I find that they are understanding the message that our Mission preaches, despite the diversities of language, culture and region because, our message is that of universal love and brotherhood. As a matter of fact, the message of every spiritual master, Guru and prophet was universal and meant for all. Let us all preach the same. Religion unites and never divides. So, let every religion endeavour to unite man with man, eliminate the distances, dismantle the walls that divide humanity. This is what is expected of Religion. If Religion is found erecting walls to divide mankind, it is a great paradox, a serious self-contradiction. Let us be peacemakers and not peace- breakers. Moreover, let us remember that we cannot shake hands with a closed fist. We will have to open it before we extend our hand to welcome a person. This is what we need today and this task will have to be taken up by everybody who has a say in society.� 

Nirankari Baba Ji's discourse was highly praised by all the distinguished delegates and intellectuals in the audience. Satguru Baba Ji also met all the religious heads and delegates from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sweden, USA, Sri Lanka and other countries. The spiritual delegations from Pakistan and Bangladesh cordially invited Satguru Baba Ji to pay a visit to their countries.� 

Other personalities who addressed the Conclave were: Mrs. Zena Sorabjee, Chairperson, Baha'i House of Worship Committee, Venerable Prof. Bellanwila Wimalaratna, Vice-chancellor, Sri Jayawardenapura University, Sri Lanka, representing Buddhism, His Eminence Dr. Telesphore Topps, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India, representing the Christian Faith. His Holiness Swami Dayananda Saraswati, Convener of the Hindu Dharamacharya Sabha (Apex Body of Hinduism), Maulana Syed Mohammad Abdul Khabir Azad, Shahi Iman, Badshahi Masjid, Lahore, Pakistan, representing Islam, Muni Sri Sumermal Ji, representing Acharya Sri Mahapraggya Ji of Jainism, Chief Rabbi David Rosen, KCSG, President of the International Jewish Committee for Inter-religious Consultations, repre-senting Judaism, Dr. Dastur Jamasp Asa, High Priest of the Parsis, representing Zoro-astrianism, Sardar Asaf Ali Daula, the former Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Dr. Kamal Hossain, the former Foreign Minister of Bangladesh, His Excellency Halil Akunce, the Ambassador of Turkey in India, and Dr. Homi B.D. Dhalla from Mumbai. 

On this occasion, the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru International Award for Inter-Continental Peace, Tolerance and Harmony, instituted by the Interfaith Harmony Foundation of India, was awarded to Satguru Baba Hardev Singh Ji and was received on his behalf by Rev. Major J.D. Sharma (Retd.), Incharge, Public Relations, Sant Nirankari Mandal, from Dr. Karan Singh. 

Revs. Rajmata Ji and Mata Ji graced the occasion with their august presence. 

On the conclusion of the Conclave, a Cultural Evening was organised at the India Islamic Cultural Centre Hall at which the devotees of the Nirankari Mission enthralled the audience with devotional music highlighting the ideal of ONE WORLD FAMILY. 

The Chairman of Interfaith Harmony Foundation profusely praised the services of the devotees of the Nirankari Mission led by Rev. Major J.D. Sharma (Retd.) who was also presented a Felicitations Memento on the occasion.

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