SOUTH AFRICAN HINDU MAHA SABHA INTERFAITH HARMONY AND SOCIAL COHESION WORKSHOP PRESS RELEASE

The South African Hindu Maha Sabha interfaith harmony and social cohesion webinar workshop (24 September 2020) Facebook live video received over 15 000 organic views, shares and other engagements from the public in the first 96 hours of publishing.

Common themes in the presentations were tolerance, respect, peace and harmony. There was an agreement that South Africa is a role model for a multi-faith society. There was a need to be weary of narrow political agendas which can lead to interfaith tensions. Religion should not be manipulated for political ends or be used for vote banks.

In a multicultural and multi-faith society, it was there was a necessity to focus on shared values rather than differences. Interfaith harmony contributes to social cohesion. Religious co-operation can lead to greater efficiency when addressing various social challenges in our country. Religion must be part of a vibrant civil society and advance the struggle for justice and human rights and oppose all forms of corruption.

There was agreement religious extremism and all forms of fundamentalism must be opposed. The SA Hindu Maha Sabha intends to call for the establishment of an interfaith leadership forum to consider structures to address and reduce religious tensions when these arise.

Ashwin Trikamjee
President
SOUTH AFRICAN HINDU MAHA SABHA
27 September 2020

View the full Interfaith Harmony and Social Cohesion workshop below: