Faith-based organisations in Guyana believe there is a need for a permanent commission to focus on national religious issues, and that religious knowledge ought to be taught in schools by suitably qualified persons.

These were two of 35 recommendations which came out of a conference of religious leaders convened last November by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC). It was held under the theme Propagating faith in a multi-cultural, multi-religious society.

Three hundred and eighty-six religious leaders from the Hindu, Christian, Muslim and other organisations participated in the conference, which took place at the International Conference Centre, Liliendaal.

The recommendations were contained in a conference report presented to the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hari N. Ramkarran on June 12, and laid in Parliament on June 18. President Bharrat Jagdeo addressed the conference, which also included members of the diplomatic corps, government ministers, and members of Parliament.

The ERC said the conference - the first of its kind in Guyana - was held as part of their proactive work in accordance with its mandate to establish and create respect for religious, cultural and other forms of diversity in a plural society.

In the report, the leaders also called for country-wide inter-faith meetings, for religious leaders to get more involved in community-based activities not necessarily of a religious nature, and for more joint statements on religious and national issues.

Among the areas of conflict identified were disrespect and misunderstanding of other religions and their symbols, and the influence of the political/economic system which sometimes results in some religious leaders being more prone to be controlled by politics rather than by religious principles.

At the end of the encounter participants felt they had gained a deeper appreciation and understanding of other religions in Guyana and greater confidence to deal with difficult situations.

Many expressed gratitude at being able to interact with each other at that level and shared the hope that the interaction will continue. In the words of one leader, “A new door has been opened that must not be closed”. – edited from Catholic Standard