The University of Guyana (UG) and the Inter-Religious Organization of Guyana (IRO) have collaborated to host another interfaith panel discussion on Friday, February 5, 2021, virtually. The University supported and partnered with the IRO to facilitate the event that formed part of the activities that the latter had developed in observance of the United Nation’s World Inter-Faith Harmony Week. This observance has been a yearly feature usually held in the first week of February since 2010 to promote harmony among all religions, faiths, and beliefs in the various places of worship around the world.
This year’s panel discussion was the first to be held virtually, with the University assuming the role of the virtual host using the Zoom webinar platform. The University’s Supplies and Logistics Officer, Mr. Adrian Sam, who is an advocate for youth and religion in his community, facilitated the programme. The 2021 panel discussion theme was “The Role of Religion in Creating Harmonious Societies.”
There were presentations from esteemed members of society, the likes of which included representatives of the Baha’i community, Dr. Laureen Pierre, President of the Guyana Council of Churches, Reverend Andrew Morris-Grant, Head of the West Demerara Arya Samaj, Pandit Dhanrajie Haimraj, and President of the Al-Mustafa Islamic Trust, Maulana Tasdeeq Aabidi.
The IRO had expressed that “it is important that programmes develop social cohesion include young people who aspire for spiritual and intellectual growth and to make a contribution to social progress.” As such, the university community, a fertile environment to foster discussions in a manner that promotes respect and tolerance for different beliefs while promoting peace and harmony among members, is an apt one within which to hold such an event.
