Religious leaders say meeting with PM Modi was 'transformative' moment

Story by ATV | Posted by Aasha Khosa | Date 07-02-2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi meeting religious and spiritual leaders

New Delhi

The group of 25 spiritual and religious leaders who met Prime Minister Narendra Modi inside the Parliament building recently have described the occasion as “transformative; and transcending boundaries to embrace the essence of Oneness, unity in diversity, peace, and harmony.”

Haji Syed Salman Chishty, Gaddi Nashin of Dargah Ajmer Sharif, who also attended the meeting said that “Inside the Indian Parliament as the spiritual leaders gathered, they all together demonstrated that "dialogue is not merely a conversation but a sacred communion of hearts and minds, a harmonious symphony that resonates with the chords of Oneness.”

He said the words of the leaders echoed a universal truth – that a nation flourishes when its people live in peace, honoring the sanctity of each other's beliefs.

The meeting was organized by the Indian Minority Foundation’s Satnam Singh Sandhu and Himani Sood.

Modi meeting religious leaders

In a statement, Salman Chishty, said he lent his “voice to the profound importance and wisdom of dialogue that resonates with the eternal truth as dialogue is not merely a conversation; it is the foundational stone upon which the edifice of success, unity, and peace stands.”

Giving a hint of what transpired inside, Chishty said, “By providing a platform for spiritual leaders from diverse traditions, he (Modi) has paved the way for a dialogue that transcends the boundaries of religion, creating a tapestry woven with the threads of Unity in Diversity.”

The resonance of "Jai Hind" echoed through the corridors, symbolizing a collective pledge towards the nation's prosperity. It encapsulated the spirit of patriotism that transcends individual affiliations, echoing the sentiment that, in unity, lay the strength of the nation. The spiritual leaders, by extending their message to the world at large, emphasized that India's success is intertwined with the global pursuit of peace and harmony, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeting Religious leaders

At the meeting, Salman Chishty emphasizes that the journey toward success is intertwined with recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings. Dialogue becomes the medium through which this recognition blossoms, transcending the boundaries that often fragment societies.

He said, “The dialogue witnessed at the New Parliament of India stands as a testament to the transformative power of collective wisdom, spirituality, and leadership. It reinforces the timeless truth that dialogue is not merely a means to an end but a sacred journey towards understanding, unity, and success.”

Besides Salman Chishty, Dr. Imam Umar Ahmed Ilyasi, (All Indian Imam Association), Syed Farid Ahmed Nizami, (Nizamuddin Auliya dargah) Pyare Khan (Maharashtra), Mohammad Ashraf Thukrao Tanjeel, (J&K) Jawwad Ahmed Khushhali, Ihram Posh Faqir (Lucknow) and Sakhawat Ali Shah Warsi.

Religious leaders of the Sikh community include Baba Gurinder Singh Dhillon (Radhaswomi Beas Satsang), Baba Lakha Singh, Jathedar Baba Gurdev Singh, Baba Prem Singh and Gurminder Singh Badaisha. The Jain community was represented by Vivek Muni Ji Maharaj, founder president of Acharya Sushil Muni Mission, and Goswami Sushil Maharaj.

Leaders of the Buddhist community included the Founder of Mahabodhi International Meditation Center (MIMC), Leh, Ladakh, Bhikkhu Sanghasena, and former Vice President of Tibetan Parliament Acharya Yeshi Phuntsok.

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Christian community leaders included Bishop Rt. Rev. Paothang Haokip, Bishop Pradeep Kumar Samantrai, Vincent D'Souza, Fr. Norbert Hermann, and Bishop Subodh C Mandal while Dasturji Keki Raoji represented the Parsi community.