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Inter-Religious Event on Dialogue, Peace and Harmony

(in commemoration of 800th anniversary of encounter between St. Francis of Assisi, and Sultan al-Malik al-Kāmil)

Bengaluru, 24 July, 2019: The year 2019 commemorates 800th anniversary of encounter between St. Francis of Assisi, a medieval Saint from Italy and Sultan al-Malik al-Kāmil of Egypt. The followers of St. Francis of Assisi, known as Franciscans ministering in various places in the Archdiocese of Bengaluru together with Most. Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, the Archbishop commemorate this anniversary by holding an Inter-Religious Event on Dialogue, Peace and Harmony on 27 July 2019 at 3.30 PM in St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School Auditorium, Bengaluru.

In the middle ages, there were several Christian military expeditions from Europe called Crusades against the Muslims in the Middle East to gain control of the holy sites considered sacred by both Christians and Muslims. In the year 1219, when the ruthless war was at its peak, St. Francis of Assisi undertook a different expedition to meet the Sultan al-Malik al-Kāmil to propose the end of war and to encourage peace and dialogue. St. Francis met the Sultan al-Malik al-Kāmil in a place called Damietta. St. Francis enjoyed the brotherly hospitality of Sultan, preached peace in the court of Sultan and returned to Italy enriched by this visit.

St. Francis and the Sultan were deeply touched by each other’s humility, openness and desire for peace. This profound encounter led St. Francis to craft a new way of life for his brothers about how they could go among the Muslims as instruments of peace.

This encounter between St. Francis and Sultan offers us the model to respect, to dialogue and to live in peace as brothers and sisters despite the religious differences. Even though, it is 800 years ago that St. Francis undertook this journey of peace, such an initiative is indeed the need of the hour today.

During this Inter-Religious Event on 27 July 2019, the representatives from different faiths will address the gathering on how it is possible to find the common ground for peaceful and harmonious existence in the world in spite of our differences. Most. Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, the Archbishop of Bengaluru, an advocate of Inter-Religious dialogue, will deliver the presidential address. People of different faiths, young and old, men and women are expected to partake in this celebration.

India, our beloved nation, is a home to people of different faiths. India has always been a nation of dialogue, peace, harmony and tolerance. The Franciscans ministering in Bengaluru and elsewhere in India commit themselves to promote respect for all faiths, to encourage dialogue across various religions and to create peaceful environment walking in the footprints of the Founder St. Francis of Assisi.

Fr. Praveen Henry D’ Souza, OFM
Minister Provincial
St. Anthony's Friary, 85 Hosur Road,
Bangalore 560095. India. Tel 0091 25531265. 0091 7829255689
Email. Official: ofm.india@gmail.com; personal: praveenhenryd@gmail.com

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