The interfaith initiative “Action for Harmony: Hindus and Christians – Together to Build a Just and Peaceable World” brought together spiritual leaders and representatives of different faiths to share their thoughts on peace, love, unity, and respect for all.
Representatives from Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University (UK), the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha, ISKCON, Chinmaya Mission UK, Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre UK, Action for Harmony, and other organisations shared their views on how people of different religions can work together to build a better world.
Sharing the message of unity, Cardinal Koovakad said that creating a fair and peaceful world is the responsibility of everyone, including religions, governments, families, and all people who wish to make a positive difference in society.
Abbot Hugh Allan shared the inspiring words of Dadi Janki:
“We are called to make the times we live in, not allow the times to make us.” He explained that by working together in peace and harmony, we can make the world a better place. He also described interfaith dialogue as a gift of hope.
Sister Maureen, Programme Director of Brahma Kumaris UK, shared a
powerful message of peace. She said that God gives us strength to create peace, not to fight one another. When we connect with God, we experience love and inner strength, which help us overcome hatred and discrimination. She reminded everyone that we are one family, children of one Divine Parent.
Her Grace Visakha Dasi, Temple President of Bhaktivedanta Manor, explained that showing love for God and kindness towards others is an important expression of dharma.
Swami Sarvasthananda of the Ramakrishna Vedanta Centre UK shared the message of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”—the world is one family. He encouraged everyone to change the way they see and treat one another.
Sister Marta Matarin of the Brahma Kumaris, Spain, reminded everyone that spiritual values can be seen in our everyday actions. Being patient, speaking kindly, respecting differences, and understanding others are simple ways to bring peace into our lives.
Moving from words to action, Khushboo Miyani of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha UK encouraged everyone to build friendships, stand together, and turn shared values into meaningful actions.
Lord Raval of the UK Parliament’s House of Lords appreciated the spirit of the gathering. He spoke about recognising the goodness and divinity in one another and working together to face the challenges of today's world.
Nitin Palan MBE, Founder of Action for Harmony, said that fear often prevents people from communicating and working together. He highlighted the importance of honesty, trust, and openness in building strong and lasting relationships.
Christine Allen, Executive Director of CAFOD, shared that building an open and inclusive society requires courage. Referring to Pope Francis’s message in Fratelli Tutti, she explained that hope helps us look beyond our personal interests and work towards a better future for everyone.
Fr Michael Barnes SJ, Emeritus Professor of Interreligious Relations at the University of Roehampton, emphasised that all religions, in their own ways, recognise the value of every human being.
Jessica Khiaty Schibli, Trustee of Chinmaya Mission UK, highlighted that changing the world begins with changing ourselves. True spirituality is not only about what we believe, but also about how we live and how we treat others.
Deepan Lakhani of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha UK encouraged everyone to continue the spirit of the gathering through small acts of kindness, courage, and cooperation.
The message of Brahma Kumaris
The gathering reflected the values of the Brahma Kumaris, which emphasise inner peace, self-transformation, respect for all religions, and the recognition that every human being is part of one global family.
When we experience peace within ourselves, we can share peace with others. By respecting different beliefs and focusing on the values we have in common, we can build trust, understanding, and stronger relationships.
The gathering conveyed a simple but powerful message: peace begins within each one of us. By changing our thoughts, speaking with kindness, respecting others, and working together, we can help create a world that is more peaceful, just, and harmonious.
Let us move from dialogue to friendship, from good wishes to meaningful action, and from inner peace to world peace.
Together, we can build a world where people of all faiths live with love, respect, and harmony.
