Nepal awaits a message of peace and harmony for the country from Assisi, 2011
by Kalpit Parajuli
The major Nepalese religious leaders are spiritually united with Benedict XVI during his pilgrimage to the city of San Francisco tomorrow. The Protestant Bishop: "While the Pope is praying for peace in the world and appeals to religious leaders for the love and harmony, Nepal should learn from him to keep peace in the country."
Kathmandu (AsiaNews) - Religious leaders of the major denominations in the country want to praise the pilgrimage of Pope Benedict XVI, who will bring and the representatives of other faiths to Assisi tomorrow. Although no Nepalese religious leader will be present, they all say they are ready to be inspired by this event. They claim it is also an example for Nepal to bring peace and harmony between different faiths and ethnicities.
The Protestant Bishop Narayan Sharma, praising the initiative of Pope Benedict XVI said he wanted to learn a lesson of peace and harmony. "While the Pope is praying for peace in the world and appeals to religious leaders for the love and harmony, Nepal should learn from him to keep peace in the country and strengthen a healthy secularism. Nepal has a great need to be blessed by solidarity at this time of transition. "
The parish priest of the Cathedral of the Assumption, Robin Rai, said: "We hope that Nepal is blessed by the Pope's prayer for a healthy secularity for the country." Keshav Chaulagain, president of the World Hindu Federation of Nepalese, said: "We do not need to go to a special place to pray, we can build solidarity and unity when we sit together and confess our misunderstandings." He added: "We are blessed with a country whose people have a peaceful heart, and we have no great divisions among the different faiths. When we respect each other and do not misuse religion we have no problems. "
Nazrul Hussein, president of the 'Islamic Sangh Nepal and secretary of the Inter-religious Council said: "I want to join in the Pope's prayer. World Peace is possible only through respect and religious harmony." He continued: "I hope that the prayer of the Pope will create stronger bonds between Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and everyone else in the country." The Nepalese, shocked by the assassination a month ago of the Secretary of the 'Islamic Sangh Nepal ask the great religions to respect the existence of other faiths. Nazrul Hussein adds: "Faith is a precious thing for every religion, regardless of majority or minority. But we are afraid, because we are a minority. We hope that the prayer of Pope diffuses the light on the great religions of the country, so they can understand the minorities. "
Meanwhile, Nepal is marking the second biggest Hindu festival, the Tihar. It is celebrated for five days starting Monday, with three days of official holidays. During the festival of Tihar people sing traditional songs, and young people, Muslim, Christian and Buddhist boys and girls unite in the festivities with Hindus.
The Protestant Bishop Narayan Sharma, praising the initiative of Pope Benedict XVI said he wanted to learn a lesson of peace and harmony. "While the Pope is praying for peace in the world and appeals to religious leaders for the love and harmony, Nepal should learn from him to keep peace in the country and strengthen a healthy secularism. Nepal has a great need to be blessed by solidarity at this time of transition. "
The parish priest of the Cathedral of the Assumption, Robin Rai, said: "We hope that Nepal is blessed by the Pope's prayer for a healthy secularity for the country." Keshav Chaulagain, president of the World Hindu Federation of Nepalese, said: "We do not need to go to a special place to pray, we can build solidarity and unity when we sit together and confess our misunderstandings." He added: "We are blessed with a country whose people have a peaceful heart, and we have no great divisions among the different faiths. When we respect each other and do not misuse religion we have no problems. "
Nazrul Hussein, president of the 'Islamic Sangh Nepal and secretary of the Inter-religious Council said: "I want to join in the Pope's prayer. World Peace is possible only through respect and religious harmony." He continued: "I hope that the prayer of the Pope will create stronger bonds between Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and everyone else in the country." The Nepalese, shocked by the assassination a month ago of the Secretary of the 'Islamic Sangh Nepal ask the great religions to respect the existence of other faiths. Nazrul Hussein adds: "Faith is a precious thing for every religion, regardless of majority or minority. But we are afraid, because we are a minority. We hope that the prayer of Pope diffuses the light on the great religions of the country, so they can understand the minorities. "
Meanwhile, Nepal is marking the second biggest Hindu festival, the Tihar. It is celebrated for five days starting Monday, with three days of official holidays. During the festival of Tihar people sing traditional songs, and young people, Muslim, Christian and Buddhist boys and girls unite in the festivities with Hindus.
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