New Delhi, Aug 20: On the occasion of Sadbhavana Diwas, the Women’s Department of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind organized a national webinar titled “Building Bridges Across Divides” on Tuesday. The event aimed to promote communal harmony, address challenges, and explore ways to foster peace and prosperity across the nation.
In her presidential address, Shaista Rafat, National Secretary of JIH Women’s Department, emphasized the importance of safeguarding communal harmony. “It would be incorrect to say that communal harmony has been completely eradicated; rather, it has been disturbed. It is the duty of every citizen to protect against such disturbances to ensure the situation does not deteriorate further. Our nation’s rich diversity should be viewed as a strength, not a weakness,” Rafat stated.
Rafat further highlighted the role of human resources in nation-building, asserting that the proper distribution of resources can only occur when human assets are nurtured. She urged civil society, religious leaders, peace activists, human rights defenders, NGOs, educational institutions, media, political leaders, and bureaucrats to work together to build bridges and dismantle walls of hatred.
Diksha Ranjan, Secretary-General of HWPL’s India Branch, shared her perspective on the need for mutual respect and overcoming differences. She pointed out the negative impact of social media on communal divisions and stressed the importance of controlling thoughts and words to combat prejudice and promote compassion.
Carmel M. Tripathi, Director of Public Information, underscored the role of religion in promoting unity and diversity. She called for the practice of moral excellence and the teachings of religious founders to serve the nation and its people.
Human Rights Activist Manjula Pradeep reflected on her experiences of mutual coexistence and lamented the rapid deterioration of communal harmony. She called for a renewed commitment to constitutional values, secularism, and equal participation in promoting communal harmony.
Arefa Parveen, National Assistant Secretary of JIH Women’s Department, delivered the inaugural address, urging participants to uphold the constitutional values of equality, justice, and fraternity as envisioned by the founding fathers of India. She stressed the importance of working together for a prosperous and united nation.
The webinar opened with a welcome address by Rabia Basri, followed by program coordination by Meenaz Bhanu. The event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Fakhra Tabbassum.
