Mumbai: In a powerful affirmation of interfaith unity, over seventy spiritual leaders from across religious traditions gathered in Mumbai on June 20, 2025, for a significant meeting organized by the Inter-Religious Solidarity Council (IRSC) on the theme “Religion and Spirituality: Pathways to Peace.” The event aimed at promoting harmony in a society marked by religious and cultural diversity.
Representatives from major faiths—including Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Zoroastrianism, Judaism, and the Baháʼí Faith—engaged in meaningful dialogue on religious pluralism, shared values, and the role of spirituality in building bridges across communities.
A key highlight was the participation of Salim Khan from Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, who emphasized that while all religions teach the value of solidarity, it must go beyond words. “Solidarity should manifest through action, especially in times when humanity demands compassion and cooperation,” he said. Jamaat-e-Islami Hind’s consistent focus on community service and interfaith outreach resonated with the overall theme of the meet.
Quoting Qur’an 49:13, Irfan Engineer reminded the gathering that human diversity is a divine gift meant to foster mutual understanding, not conflict. He cautioned against reducing religion to an identity marker that segregates communities, advocating instead for faith as a source of ethics, compassion, and justice.
ISKCON’s Prabhuji Keshav Chandra Das echoed a similar spirit through a Vedic verse, “Ekaṃ sad viprā bahudhā vadanti,” underlining that while paths may vary, the ultimate truth is one.
Participants unanimously reiterated that compassion, service, non-violence, and justice are common across religious traditions. Swami Devendra ji of Jainism upheld the principle of “live and let live,” while Sr. Muditha Sodder emphasized spirituality over religiosity for lasting peace. Bhikkhu Viratna Mahathero from the Bharatiya Bhikkhu Sangha advocated for taking interfaith values beyond dialogues and into the grassroots.
Prof. Kavita Pai shared a conflict-resolution case from Ladakh, where 20 years of religious dispute was resolved through dialogue based on shared ethical principles. She urged religious leaders to serve as mediators in India’s multicultural fabric.
Uzma Naheed, Director of the Iqra Education Foundation, stressed the need for interfaith literacy, particularly among youth and women. “To coexist peacefully in plural societies, one must go beyond tolerance to understanding,” she noted.
Akshay Dilip Ambedkar, grandson of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, urged participants to “spread love, happiness, and humanity” through such platforms, emphasizing emotional and spiritual inclusion.
The meeting concluded with a resolution to:
Promote acceptance of diversity through public awareness campaigns
Address misunderstandings and misuse of religion
Educate against prejudice
Counter extremism clothed in religious rhetoric
The IRSC Advisory Council was expanded to include newly interested members. A solidarity dinner followed, celebrating the success of the day’s discussions.
Notable Participants Included:
Salim Khan (Jamaat-e-Islami Hind), Uzma Naheed (Iqra Education Foundation), Prabhuji Keshav Chandra Das (ISKCON), Sister Muditha Sodder, Swami Devendra ji (Jainism), Bhikkhu Viratna Mahathero, Astrid Lobo Gajiwala, Syed Shakil Ahmed (Ahmadiyya), Mohammad Burhanuddin Qasmi (MMERC), and many others from academic, faith-based, and civil society organizations.
The event underscored that while religions may differ in form, they converge in spirit—urging humanity to rise above prejudice and work for a just and peaceful world.
