Sr. Teresa Joseph fma –
On 22 March, 2025, from 5.15 pm – 8.00 pm, Auxilium Convent High School Ground Wadala witnessed the Interfaith Iftar organized by Collective for Multi Faith Dialogue celebrating India’s rich diversity. Auxilium Convent High School, Bhartiya Muslim Mahila Andolan, Bombay Jesuit Youth, Housing & Livelihood Welfare Associates, Parcham Collective, Savitri Farima Foundation for inclusive Development Joined hands for this exceptionally extraordinary Iftar celebration.
Justice Coalition of Religious (JCoR) – West India was one of the organising partners. Other JCoR mebers being Sr Meena D’silva, Sr Rosalin Pereira and Sr Shirley Joseph.
Sabah Khan, Shweta Tambe Fr Ivan SJ and Shubhkaramdeep Singh were also the co-organisers.
Sr. Rita D’Souza, Manager of Auxilium Convent High School Wadala, known for her artistic touch, saw to the stage decoration with creative symbolic representations of various religions by the students of the school. Sr. D’Souza welcomed the gathering and wished them a joy filled evening. Sr. Teresa Joseph gave a short message on the need for communal harmony and interreligious dialogue.
Communal harmony
What do we mean when we speak of Communal harmony? It refers to the peaceful coexistence and understanding between different communities, religions, and cultures within a society, nurturing unity and respect.
Can believers of various religions promote communal harmony?
What do you say my dear friends? Yes, certainly, we can and we must promote communal harmony. How can we do it? When we brothers and sisters of different religions come together to dialogue, to plan, to cooperate and collaborate with deep respect for one another, what are we doing if not pooling in of our resources to imbibe ways and means to knit together peaceful living together, creating understanding and collaboration between various communities? The big and lovely word we use to express all this is called Inter-religious dialogue.
In harmony and dialogue we find unity in diversity
Education trains us to become experts in communal harmony and Inter-religious dialogue. It teaches us how to embrace the beauty of diversity and find unity through harmony. With our unity we can do great things. Together we are stronger. To make this world as perfect as possible each one of us has to bring in peace, love and unity. With our unity, we can do great things to build up communal harmony and to facilitate dialogue between believers of various religions. In dialogue, what we bring to our common table is the cream of the cream, the very best from our belief system, the assurance that nothing is impossible with God. All things are possible with God.
Called to leave a little sparkle wherever we go
Dear friends, we are called to spread a little sparkle of life, of enthusiasm, of energy of communal harmony and interreligious dialogue wherever we go. Success isn’t about luck—it’s about consistency, learning & adapting gestures of communal harmony and inter-religious dialogue.
My dear young people, you can become an ambassador of communal harmony and inter-religious dialogue, by recognizing the value of diversity and promoting understanding. In this way, you can contribute to a more just and equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Inter-religious dialogue is a treasured tool for promoting peace and preventing conflict, as it helps to build bridges between different communities and address the root causes of conflict.
The best is yet to come
Communal harmony and interreligious dialogue can help to create stronger, more resilient communities that are able to withstand conflict and adversity. The best is yet to come my dear friends. Yes, the best is yet to come my dear young people. You and I have a significant role to play to usher in the best in the field of communal harmony and interreligious dialogue. Let us strengthen our religious identity and join hands to make our world a beautiful place to live. Let gestures that promote communal harmony and dialogue flow from our hearts to our families, to our neighbourhood and to our great big human family.
The Iftar evening Celebration
This time we would like you to capture through our photographs the spirit of joy, peace and harmony we experienced. Sr. Teresa overheard Professor Brinelle D’Souza’s voice: “Each Year our Iftar Celebration is getting better and better.” Yes, definitely there were many other participants who reconfirmed in various ways that the 2025 Iftar was truly an awesome one. What made it to be truly breath-taking? Undoubtedly the attitude of hospitality, of welcome and of joyful service showcased in an exceptional manner by the youngsters almost all trained under the able guidance of Professor Brinelle and her wonderful team of collaborators did create a great friendly and homely atmosphere. To add to it everyone present witnessed the mighty marvellous coordination among the organizers which was further enriched with deep respect and profound humility.
The Ice Breakers not only made everyone awake but also put them into the dancing spirit. The Bombay Jesuit Youth did rob many hearts with their music and songs. The young College Students from Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) played a mega role during the celebration. They were on their feet throughout: from photo documentation to serving the food, they saw to the minute details of everything.
Sr. (Dr.) Teresa Joseph, FMA is a Salesian Sister of the Bombay Province. She holds a masters degree in Science of Education with specialization in Catechetics from Auxilium Rome and a PhD in Missiology with specialization in Inter-religious Studies from the Gregorian University Rome.
Sr Teresa is a freelance writer and contributes articles for various journals in India and abroad. Her recent publications include Dream Big Dream True and Family of Truth: The Liminal Context of Inter-Religious Dialogue. She has launched and co-edited an animation book for the family titled Stay Connected in the Circle of Love (2007).
