Christian Unity and Interreligious Dialogue Commission, Chattogram Archdiocese, Karnaphuli Area Program, and World Vision Bangladesh jointly organized ‘Interreligious Harmony Seminar-2024’ on June 12, 2024, at the Hotel Shoikat auditorium in Chattogram city. The theme of the seminar is: ‘Religious Harmony in Climate Conservation’. Karnaphuli Area Program, World Vision Bangladesh Manager, Mr. Johnny Rozario, presided over the seminar. Christian Unity and Interreligious Dialogue Commission, Coordinator of Chattogram Archdiocese, Mr. Ambrose Gomes, delivered the welcome speech. At that time, he said, “The Almighty expressed his satisfaction by creating us and said it is good. Then he gave authority to man over all creation and asked him to enjoy taking care of creation. But we humans continue to enjoy creation. Forgot about care.”
Most Venerable Archbishop Lawrence Subrato Howladar, CSC, Archbishop of Chattogram Catholic Archdiocese and Chairman of the Dialogue Commission, was present as the chief guest at the seminar. The Chief Guest, Most Reverend Archbishop Lawrence Subrato Hawladar, CSC, said in his address, “Conserving the climate requires strengthening the three-dimensional relationship between the Creator, the created nature, and the created human society. The distance created in this relationship by the erosion of religious values can be restored through religious dialogue and harmony. Religious values of all faiths and religious saints’ restraint from the philosophies of saints, mutual respect and a spirit of humbly repenting for the damage done are necessary to ensure the participation of all in the care of nature.”
Apart from this, Mohammad Jasimuddin Professor of the Department of Forestry and Environment Sciences at Chittagong University, gave a comprehensive discussion on ‘Religious Harmony in Climate Conservation’. He said in his contribution, “The impact of climate change in Bangladesh over the last two decades is obvious. Bangladesh is a disaster-prone country due to its geography, and global warming has increased the severity of disasters. In this situation, we need a collective effort to build our beautiful world.” Father Dr. Liton Hubert Gomes, CSC, Professor of Notre Dame College Dhaka, highlighted Christian education’s focus on climate conservation. Mohammad Nurunnabi Azhari from Southern University emphasized Islamic education’s pursuit of knowledge for societal betterment. Professor Shimul Barua of Latifa Siddique Degree College discussed how Buddhist teachings on mindfulness and ethics can enhance overall student well-being. Sukanta Bhattacharya from Chittagong University explored the moral dimensions in literature through the lens of traditional religious values.
In light of the enlightening speeches presented by the speakers from four religious perspectives, the participants participated in the assembly discussion and expressed their opinions and feelings. After that, the present participants committed themselves to climate conservation, and the chief guest, Archbishop Lawrance Subrato Howlader, CSC, read the declaration together on climate conservation. The organizing committee members were also present in the seminar: Tanveer Hossain, Dilip Barua, Dr. Varun Kumar Acharya, William Gomez, Arefin Riyad, Saymal Nandi, Eugine Shubho Goldar, Joseph D’ Silva, C. Mamata Palma, LHC, Flavian D Costa and Julian D Costa.