SIFCO: There are still many challenges to interfaith harmony |03 March 2018

• “We need to appreciate the light in whatever lamp it shines, the fragrance of the rose, in whatever garden it blooms!”

Following the commemoration of World Interfaith Harmony Week earlier last month, the public relations officer (PRO) and treasurer of the Seychelles Interfaith Council (SIFCO) have revealed what they believe to be the challenges that hinder the progression of religious harmony in Seychelles and share their opinions on how we can further develop this concept of peace, love and compassion.

SIFCO’s PRO, Marion Gendron and treasurer, Ran Bandara Ekanayake, told the Seychelles NATION that the council aims to promote dialogue between people of different faiths and religions and constructive, co-operative as well as positive interaction at both individual and institutional levels. It is hoped that this will help resist the forces of division, violence, conflict, misunderstanding and mistrust between religions.

The interfaith harmony concept was initiated by King Jordan when he proposed it to the United Nations (UN) in 2010, during a time of conflict and war.    

Mrs Gendron explains that although religion is not a cause of violence or aggression in Seychelles, there are many challenges both locally and globally that are hindering the harmonisation and cooperation between different religious groups and movements. From her own personal experience, she cites the following challenges as some examples:

-           The penetration to the grass roots where much prejudice still lies.

-           Criticism of other religions without adequate knowledge of their scriptures; some even referring to others as satanic or devilish.

-           The culture of fear.

-           Seeing other faiths as threats.

-           Seeing one’s faith as superior to others and having monopoly on the truth.

-           A lack of willingness to learn about others’ religions and beliefs.

-           An attachment to the different forms of religions rather than to their essence or message.

-           Aiming to convert people which causes division through competition as opposed to educating them and making a difference in their lives/characters.

-           Lack of emphasis on moral values which are not being manifested in our daily lives.

-           A lack of emphasis by the religious leaders on interfaith harmony among their adherents.

Despite these, Mrs Gendron says it is important to recognise the progress that Seychelles has made in this matter as compared to the past, when even entering another ‘church’ was disapproved:

-           The heads or representatives of all religions in Seychelles inter-act constructively in SIFCO, including the Seychelles Evangelical Alliance that has recently re-joined.

-           The membership of the SIFCO has grown over the years and there is a growing interest in the activities of the association.

-           All the religions have virtually the same views on most social issues of national importance although approaches may differ.

-           SIFCO continues to be the moral and spiritual voice for the nation and is represented on a few councils, forums and boards. It also contributes its views on important amendments to laws and policies.

-           At SIFCO’s last annual general meeting, a total of 40 members attended for the first time since its founding.

Mrs Gendron remarks that the fact that we are talking about this today and heads of religions are participating in this movement, is a step forward.

Mr Ekanayake admits that growing the number of participants of SIFCO is a slow process, adding that in order to achieve the goals of the council, we need to understand and remember that all religions communicate the same messages of love, peace and compassion; hence, we need to respect all religions and all the good that is preached in each of them.

He continues saying that religious preachers should understand the importance of harmonisation and to preach, advise and guide people in the right direction to slowly further develop thisconcept of religious harmony.

In the same light, Mrs Gendron adds that people should focus more on the messages and essence of religions, their virtues and values as these are what will create harmony. It is important, she says, to segregate the messages being conveyed from the practices and rituals around them.

She advises us not to despise and criticise our neighbours as we should all be able to openly choose what we want to believe in.

“We need to be understanding and thoughtful towards others, their beliefs and practices, without having to compromise our own faith. Think about their thoughts and feelings and try to impose less on them. If we can relate to those of different faiths in a loving way, how can the love not spread?”