1st foundation day of Interfaith Forum for Peace and Harmony
- 5th June 2024 -

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1st foundation day of Interfaith Forum for Peace and Harmony

Interfaith Forum for Peace and Harmony (IFPH), Manipur celebrated its first anniversary foundation day on 5th June 2024 at Manipur Cultural Integration Conference (MCIC), Thangapat-mapal, Palace compound with prayers for the loss of precious souls, solidarity with suffering thousands in the relief camps, planting of trees to mark the day as new hope, release of the first anniversary Souvenir and resolve to launch collective actions for peace and harmony among all people belonging to diverse ethnic and religious communities in the state.

Present members expressed great joy in celebrating the first anniversary of IFPH, and firm belief that a change/peace coexistence is possible in the state and the importance of strengthening the forum in the years to come while identifying areas for urgent collective actions to contribute to peace processes in the state which included

1) reconnecting people across divides through listening and healing mission,
2) keeping national highways free to allow essential supplies at all seasons,
3) facilitate dialogue process; 4) creating a shared and collective positive vision;
4) documentation of small stories of mutual help in need across the divides, and
5) promotion of peace education for children in schools.

Speaking as the special guest on the occasion, Prof. N. Rajmuhon, former VC of DM University, appreciated IFPH with its local and global networking capacities as the right platform at the right time in addressing burning issues of our times: addressing ethnic and religiously motivated conflicts and making a balance between science and spirituality in the face of growing climate crisis at the global level by rooting unshakable belief in peace by peaceful means and right education.

He referred to NEP 2020 as an opportunity for building by being rooted in one’s own culture and spirituality. Archbishop Emeritus Dominic stressed the importance of spirituality of all religions which are based on universal human values –celebrating the common humanity as one people, and respecting the differences.

BK Nilima stressed the importance of all religious leaders pooling in knowledge and resources at the interfaith forum as coming together on a single platform itself gives peace. Vidyapati Sanjenbam expressed the need for IFPH collective action to break all barriers on the national highways to save humanity and reconnect with people across the divides.

Rev Losii Mao expressed the urgency of interfaith to take collective action for restoration of the lost humanity, restoration of broken relations, and facilitating dialogue across the divides for peaceful coexistence in Manipur.

Prof. N. Rajmuhon, former VC of DM University attended the simple function as special guest and Shri Aribam Brajakumar Sharma, MCIC presided over the function while Archbishop Emeritus of Imphal Dominic Lumon, Rev K. Losii Mao, General Secretary, MBC, BK Nilima, Brahmakumaris, Memyo Ningombi, General Secretary of All Manipur Buddhist Association; Abdul Halim of Jamaait-e-Islami Hind, Manipur; Vidyapati Sanjenbam, VP, Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board; Chungkeirung Kamei, VP of Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak (AMN); and Dr Y. Pancham, President, Divine Life Society were present as guests of honour.

The simple function was attended by 35 persons belonging to diverse ethnic communities, religions and spiritual communities, and was concluded with Aribam Rishikanta, BBS/Ekta Parishad Manipur extending vote of thanks to all.

Deben Bachaspatimayum
Convener, IFPH
Interfaith Forum for Peace and Harmony