UPF Honors World Interfaith Week
Universal Peace Federation (UPF) Sierra Leone Chapter honors “World Interfaith Harmony Week” – The UPF held a seminar at the Gender Empowerment Movement (GEM) conference hall at John Street, Freetown in honor of the World’s Interfaith Week yesterday 13th January.
The seminar attracted faithful men of God carrying titles such as Reverend, Pastor, Imam, Sheik, Teacher and Student.
Members of civil society and media groupings also played their part.
In her remarks, the President of UPF, Alice M. Kamara admonished participants that religion plays a great role to peace and reconciliation.
She noted however that Muslims, Christians and members of Buddhism know that God is the author of peace and must at all times be maintained by clergies of respective Godly religions.
“Without harmony” she said “there cannot be world peace at all.”
“It is my heartfelt pleasure to urge religious leaders to embrace the principles of religious tolerance and to try to dedicate same as they work towards the enhancement of total peace,” she continued.
Then to the erudite UPF Chairperson, Haja Afsatu Kabba, who in her statement called on all to take cognizance of time and its effect.
“The time has come for international organizations to imagine the traditions and religions of the world” Haja Afsatu emphasized.
“Religious leaders must be seen as pace setters of peace so that generations will emulate the doctrines of harmony,” she continued.
Haja Afsatu emphasized on ‘respect’ as a watchword in the enhancement of harmony. She stated that all should have respect for others’ religious beliefs as all have been created in God’s image and likeness.
The Chairperson reiterated that the stance of religious leaders will shape insights of political leaders and will help direct their conduct.
In his power presentation on the need for an antireligious council at the United Nations (UN), Reverend Daniel Samura said that interfaith helps build up a world of peace.
He added however that religious people should be honest, committed, accommodative and inculcate the doctrine of allowing others views.
Muslims, Christians, or Buddhists are one before God.
Reverend Samura recapped on religion as an integral part of human consciousness and human identity. “Poor religious leadership gives rise to manifold problems and contributes to divisions and sufferings in the world,” he said. He further stated that religion has often been a source of division of many conflicts around the world.
Reverend Samura pointed out that religion can be an ally for peace, socio-economic development, and conflict resolution.
“Religion,” he stated, “has the potential to foster forgiveness, reconciliation, restoration and peace; bringing an end to the cycle of resentment and violence.”
The ceremony was chaired by the Amir of the Ahmadiyya Mission.
Peace Ambassador Certificates were distributed to participants.
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