By Matters India Reporter
Patna: An inter-religious Christmas celebration in Patna emphasized the need of peace and religious harmony at a time when violence is committed in the name of religion.
The Christmas Milan was organized on December 21 by Inter-Religious Dialogue Committee (IRDC) and Xavier Institute of Social Research (XISR), Patna. Some 150 persons belonging to different religions attended the gathering.
The celebration included Christmas carols in Hindi and English, visit of Santa Claus and video presentation on the message of Christ.
Religious leaders of Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh and Buddhist faiths joined the celebration and highlighted the key message of peace of Christmas in a context of increasing violence in the name of religion. Hundreds of thousands of people are displaced or forced to migrate because of violence today.
Using violence in the name of religion is contradiction of religion, said Swami Sukhananad of Ram Krishna Mission, Patna.
Those indulging in violence and terrorism do not have any religion. They are enemies of humankind, said, Maulana Mahibbullah, Muslim cleric from Jamia Munemia, Patna City.
Islam actually means surrender to God. In today’s context of violence and terrorism in the name of religion, we must accept and appreciate other faiths and try to see the core value of love and brotherhood in all religions. Christ’s message was brotherhood of humanity and Fatherhood of one God, he noted.
Father Johnson Kelakath of Kurji Catholic parish said celebrating Christmas means living the values of Christ such as love, brotherhood-sisterhood, toleration, and forgiving even one’s enemies. Christ’s birth is unique because it shows God’s loving presence as a human among humans. Humanity is one as we are all children of the same God, he added.
The head of Patna’s Buddha Vihar, Bante Anand Dev pointed out that God is one though different names and paths are used to experience God. At the birth of Christ we are reminded of the greatest teaching of Christ, namely, love others as you love yourself, he said.
Sikh religious leader Sardar Balbir Singh also stressed the oneness of God, though religions are different. Christ said, do good to others, serve humanity to please God.
The speakers and participants were welcomed by Jesuit Father Jose Kalapura, director of XISR and coordinator of Inter-religious Dialogue Commission.
Instant poet Edward Raphael presented Christmas kavita, while the carol songs were sung by students of Kurji Holy Family College of Nursing, St. Mary’s Minor Seminary, St. Xavier’s College, and sisters of St. Joseph Convent.
Father Premlal Lucas presented his video music composition on Christmas.