Fwd: Interfaith prayer meeting for religious unity and freedom of Baha'is in Iran

[Anil Sarwal]

Press Release

Chandigarh. May 18, 2014: The Baha’i Community of Chandigarh today organised an interfaith prayer meeting for religious unity and harmony, and especially for the freedom of their Baha’i compatriots in Iran who are facing persecution there because of fanaticism and ignorance of the true spirit of the Baha’i teachings. 

Explaining the basic teachings of the Baha’i Faith, Prof. Anil Sarwal, Chairman of the Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Chandigarh said, “The Bahá'í Faith, known through the Lotus Temple (Baha’i House of Worship, New Delhi) believes in the unity of God, recognizes the unity of religions, and inculcates the principle of the oneness of the entire human race. However, the believers in such universal principles in Iran have been suffering persecution ever since its inception. The latest in the series is the 20-year imprisonment of the seven prominent Baha’is on wrongful charges related solely to their religious beliefs and practice, the longest sentences of any current prisoners of conscience in Iran.” 

Various religious representatives – Swami Sahil from Hindism, Mr. Amrinder Singh and Mr. Jagjit Singh from Sikhism, Maulana Muhammad Ajmal from the Muslim Community, Father Joseph of the Catholic Church, Mr. Patibhan from Buddism, and Sister Neha from Braham Kumaris participated in the prayer service and expressed their views on religious unity, religious tolerence and religious freedom. Prayers were also offered to the Almighty for the freedom and human rights of the Baha'is of Iran and peace and prosperity of the peoples of the world. Mr. D Roshan gave a brief history of the persecution of the Baha’is in Iran and said all secular forces in the world had condemned the attack on the innocent Baha’is in Iran. 

Mr. Gabriel Wilson, Secretary, Local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of Chandigarh , quoted from the Baha’i Writings, “The religion of God is for love and unity; make it not the Cause of enmity and dissention.” He said it was a great pleasure to note that throughout the interfaith gathering, this theme was emphasized by representatives of all the religions.

Anil Sarwal
Associate Professor of English
Email: sarwa...@gmail.com
Website: www.sarwal.org
Mob: +91.9501738899
Phone (R) +91.172.4674999