No superior religion, co-existence a pillar of peace – URI

Religious leaders have been requested to lead their congregants in peace building processes by embracing co –existence as a pillar towards avoiding conflicts in the country.

United Religions Initiative-Malawi

United Religions Initiative-Malawi (URI) Southern African Region made the appeal at Logic Inn on Thursday in Lilongwe, during the launch of a two months on-going training of various faith members on religious tolerance and peace building process.

URI’s Country Coordinator, Geoffrey Manasseh said religious tolerance, use of the co-existence philosophy could be a great message to be promoted in various worshipping venues if the country is to uphold peace.

“Give dialogue a prime space in all our misunderstandings in the religious society with that, peace will spill over to the national society in turn making Malawi and the global village a habitable place, free from conflicts and violence,” he said.

He added that URI which was formed in June, 2000, is promoting daily interfaith cooperation, ending religious motivated violence, creating cultures of peace, and enhancing justice and healing for the humanity on earth.

The training attracted 20 participants, with six ladies and 14 men drawn from Islamic, Christian and Rastafarian religions.

“We must always avoid telling our religious followers that our faith, church or Muslim sect is more superior than others, because such a teaching will instill a spirit of divisions and discrimination amongst us and that yields into disrespectfulness on other religions,” Rasta Stom Jericho Kandodo observed.

He hinted that Rastafarians have plans in the pipeline to establish own schools and hospitals to complement government development agenda.

Another participant, Ndiza Ngalawanga termed the training timely saying it will help her reach out to fellow youthful Muslims and others from other religious with peace loving messages.

“We are all aware that most youth are agents of conflicts because they are used to be in the forefront when violent scenes erupt, I condemn it, and I appeal to them to divert their energy in productive activities that can promote own careers,” she appealed.

Sheikh Ahamed Chienda, who is National Coordinator of Islamic Information Bureau, and Priest Geoffrey Jonas of Chinsapo Anglican church, who is a lecturer at Lake Malawi Anglican University (LAMAU) who were some of the key facilitators told Mana on the sidelines of the training that the country needs unity for its progress.

“We need to join hands in developing our country, and no society can develop where there are conflicts. Small issues can spark fire and plunder our peace.

“A couple of weeks ago we witnessed ugly scenes of verbal attacks from religious conflicts, Muslims started mobilizing themselves to demonstrate against the removal of a bill board in the city of Blantyre. Thanks to Public Affairs Committee, government through the Ministry of Civic Education and National Unity for a swift intervention,” Chienda said.

URI Malawi is running the training with 200 Euros from King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Centre for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue (KAICIID), but appeal for further support to include more beneficiaries.

The training aims at achieving increased number of faith leaders with improved knowledge on peace building and have increased number of faith leaders engaged and participating in decision making at local levels to be ambassadors of peace.

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NZERU NKUPANGWA
NZERU NKUPANGWA
4 years ago

Sets of instructions, rituals, beliefs, edicts, tenets delivered to us under duress, false promises, pretense, or big fat carrots! Nobody owns any of these religions and therefore nobody should claim to be offended when these things are being denounced or criticized! Nobody ought to spit vitriol and be angry on behalf of some dead prophet or saviour or ancient scrolls, it is outright ridiculous! It is very sad that these things have a strong foothold on our lives causing unnecessary tension, division, hatred, distrust, and conflict. It is high time we open up all these religions to criticism other than… Read more »

Citizen 1
Citizen 1
4 years ago

200 euros? For what?

Gas Machine Head
Gas Machine Head
4 years ago

Mwati chani? The workshop was funded with 200 euros? Sikukwana olo salary ya primary school teacher mmodzi olo wopanda experience. Do your maths

Phwisani
Phwisani
4 years ago

But there is only one superior religion among the rest. This is the religion whose book every religion on Earth even Nyau refers to. Moslems can not read their Koran without mentioning the Holy Bible. So it’s just trying to please some quarters by saying what URI said.

Wenga wenga
4 years ago
Reply to  Phwisani

We (Moslems) can read the bible but you can’t read the Quran because you are not purified, only those who are purified can touch and read the Quran my friend this is the reference from the Holy book of Quran (read Quran 56 verse 78 to 80 ) and concetrate

Wiseup
Wiseup
4 years ago
Reply to  Wenga wenga

He is not purified so how will he read that Sula and quoted verses 🙂

Mbuya
Mbuya
4 years ago
Reply to  Wiseup

No muslim is purified, this is just brainwashing and propaganda. zaziiii. kukopeka ndi zachiArab basi, za eni ake.

Hypocrite Z
4 years ago

Read ‘A Criminal History of Mankind’ by Colin Wilson. [ ..and Imagine there is no religion!…….everyone living in peace!….]

National CEO
National CEO
4 years ago
Reply to  Hypocrite Z

France tried this and it was a tragedy.

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