By Matters India Reporter
Hyderabad, April 8, 2020: A multi-religious forum in Telangana state has appealed the public not to “polarize” people or communities amid COVID-19 pandemic.
“Let us shun all forms of polarization and division caused by prejudices and intolerance. Let us stand together with the entire world and our nation, to defeat the deadly virus which is causing such unprecedented havoc,” says April 7 letter from Dharmik Jan Morcha (DJM), consisting of heads of various religious communities and leaders of faith-based organizations.
The letter calls for working together “with total faith in God with deep commitment and compassion leading to dedicated service (seva) and self-sacrifice (thyaga).”
The letter was signed by DJM coordinator Father Anthony Raj Thumma, Mohammed Sadiq Ahmed, Krishna Rao, and Venkat Rao.
The DJM officials also urged people to stay at home and continue to pray to God to overcome the pandemic.
“Let us pray for those who are suffering from the sickness of COVID-19, their families and doctors. We need also to pray for all those engaged in their duties to prevent and protect us from the pandemic. Let us not panic and get depressed due to fear and anxiety. God will surely listen to our prayers and make it pass soon,” the letter said.
DJM urged people to make use of the lockdown as an opportunity to grow closer to God by holiness and by charity to others, especially the poor.
“We must undertake the purification of our hearts from our sinful habits and evil doings by repentance. This is a God sent moment for us to grow in enlightenment and spirituality by increasing in wisdom, discipline and knowledge of spiritual matters,” the letter noted.
DJM strives to better the world with re-establishment of humanity and universal brotherhood in society.
“At this critical juncture of COVID-19 global pandemic, we wish to address you to instill confidence and hope that as humans, we unitedly all can respond as a committed team and win over this catastrophe,” the letter said.