Religious leaders reject violence, discrimination, call for mutual respect and shared responsibility
By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, March 18: Against the backdrop of recurring religious and ethnic tensions in Meghalaya, a clarion call for lasting peace through sustained effort and collaboration was made during a meaningful interfaith dialogue that ended with the adoption of the Shillong Harmony Declaration on Wednesday.
Organised by the Department of Social Work (PG) of St. Edmund’s College, Shillong, to mark World Social Work Day 2026, the event brought together religious leaders, students, academicians and community members to promote peace and communal harmony in Meghalaya.
Titled “Interfaith Dialogue for Peace and Harmony,” the programme followed the global theme “Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society.”
The African spirit of Harambee—meaning “pulling together”—encourages collective action against divisions and misunderstandings.
Principal Br. Sunil Britto opened the discussion, urging everyone to pause, reflect and appreciate one another. He stressed the important role of youth in building harmony from the ground up.
Faith leaders from various traditions spoke of love, respect and unity. Rev. Edwin Kharkongor, Secretary of the Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders’ Forum, highlighted loving one’s neighbour and working together as one society. Swami B. Vedeshananda of the Ramakrishna Mission called upon leaders to rise above politics, noting that different paths lead to one God.
Naba Bhattacharjee, President of the Central Puja Committee, Shillong, praised the active role of students and the need for inclusivity and secularism in everyday life.
Fr. Richard Majaw, Vicar General of the Shillong Archdiocese, focused on prayer and dialogue, while Rev. S.R. Dkhar of the North East India Christian Council likened communities to five fingers that must unite to achieve peace. Other speakers, including Dr. Sonita Khongwir (Seng Khasi), Dr. Kaberi Kakati (Brahma Kumaris), Rev. Darihun Khriam (Unitarian Church) and Tenzin Thinlay (Tibetan Buddhist Monastery) described diversity as strength and urged building bridges instead of walls.
Jasbir Singh, President of the Sikh community in Shillong, invoked Shillong’s legacy of tolerance and the spirit of Harambee. The Shillong Muslim Union was represented on the panel by S.M.A. Zulfi.
The programme culminated in the signing of the Shillong Harmony Declaration by youth representatives, religious leaders and the college administration. The declaration rejected violence and discrimination while promoting dialogue, compassion, mutual respect and shared responsibility for harmony.
Participants then gathered at the Peace Garden within the college premises, where the declaration was formally presented and the newly installed “Peace Bell” was rung as a symbol of unity and commitment to peaceful coexistence.
The event also included a soulful musical performance by students and virtual participation by Rev. Dr. Yoshinori Shinohara, Secretary General of Religions for Peace Asia and Religions for Peace, Japan.
