By Mudita Menona Sodder
Mumbai, March 28, 2026: An interfaith celebration in Mumbai has brought together members of diverse faith communities to reflect on shared ethical values and resilience during challenging times.
Centred on the theme “Trials of Faith: Maintaining Character Under Pressure”, the gathering coincided with Ram Navami, Lent, Navroz, and Eid, drawing participants from Christian, Jain, Zoroastrian, Baha’i, Islamic, and Hindu traditions.
The local unit of the Inter-Religious Solidarity Council (IRSC) organized the program in collaboration with ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) unit in Chowpatty, a Mumbai suburb, at Bhaktivedanta Hall, Sri Sri Radha Gopinath Mandir, Girgaon Chowpatty on March 28.
The evening opened with Keshav Chandra Das Prabhu of ISKON, who urged participants to embrace “spiritual resilience and ethical conduct” in times of uncertainty. Children from ISKCON’s Radha Gopal Committee performed a dance celebrating Ram Navami and interreligious harmony.
Himanshu Asnani, researcher and author, delivered the keynote, reflecting on faith as lived ethical practice. The author of The Forest of Love: A Journey of Awakening noted that adversity “tests inner character and spiritual integrity,” adding that sincere practice cultivates humility, compassion, and truth.
A central panel discussion featured women leaders from multiple traditions that highlighted Lent’s sacrificial dimension, Jain and Zoroastrian values of restraint and renewal, Baha’i unity and discipline, Islamic fasting as compassion, and Ram Navami’s ideals through Lord Ram and Lakshman.
Across the panel, speakers shared stories and teachings that brought religious practice alive, while also highlighting common ethical threads of discipline, empathy, humility, and responsibility, that transcend individual traditions.
The event concluded with a theatrical performance by ISKCON youth on ethical practice in daily life.
The celebration reaffirmed IRSC’s commitment to dialogue, solidarity, and collective responsibility, showing how diverse traditions can unite around shared ethical values in complex times, participants pointed out.