Harmony depends on how people practice religion: Seer

Addressing a religious harmony meet organised by the Dharmika Souhardha Samiti at the Town Hall here on Friday, the Swamiji said that the question whether religions would bring harmony in the society or not depends mainly on how people practice their religions. “If one practices his religion truly with good intentions, harmony will prevail in the society. “We should introspect ourselves as to how true we are towards our religion. We also should chalk out solutions to the shortcomings which leads to conflicts,” he emphasised.

“God loves every individual in the world as his own subject without any disparity. But it is the selfishness of mankind which creates divide in the society,” the Swamiji said. God created religions to bring peace and harmony in the society, he added.
Assistant Khazi of Mangalore Alhaj Thoka Ahmed Musliyar speaking on the occasion said that the Hindu religion is an institution of tolerance. Hindus in Kerala welcomed Islam and Christian religions centuries ago wholeheartedly. It was because of the tolerance and co-operation of Hindus that Muslims built 10 masjids between Barkur in Karnataka and Kodungallur in Kerala, Musliyar explained.

Musliyar said that harmony is an essential part of a civilised society. Islam too propagates peace and harmony. “One should always strive to maintain peace in the society. At the same time, he also should consider serving food to hungry as his duty,” he added.

Indian Constitution upholds secular principles. Similarly, Islam religion too upholds the secular nation, Musliyar said.

Fathima Retreat House (Mangalore) Director Fr Ronny Prabhu SJ said, “religion is nothing but the purity of mind.” Majority of people become selfish when it comes to religion. Most of us praise our own religion as superior.
“When we look at the heart of everything, we will find the truth that we are one,” he added.

The purpose of all religions is to surrender before God. “If I am true Christian, I can find God in Islam or even in Hindu. If one is not able to see God in other religions, he can never be Christian,” he asserted.
Dharmika Souhardha Samiti President Erya Laxminarayana Alva presided.
Samiti Vice-President Dr C P Habeebur Rahman, Yenepoya University Vice-Chancellor Dr Syed Akheel Ahmed, Karnataka Theological College Principal Fr Honey Kabral, Samiti members Mohammed Kunhi and S V Acharya were present.