Global Interreligious Conference for Guru Nanak’s 555th Birth Anniversary

Jalandhar, November 15, 2024: An Interfaith Conference themed “A Wave of Kindness and Love for Each Other in Humanity” was organised by the Gobind Marg Charitable Trust at Gurdwara Sahib Buland Pur in Jalandhar to honour the 555th Birth Anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. The gathering brought together eminent Sikh leaders from the Five Sacred Thrones, along with prominent religious figures from various faiths around the world, including Bishop Agnelo Ruffino of Jalandhar, Fr. Norbert Herman of Northern India and international leaders such as Rabbi Dr. Yakov Nagen from Israel, Dr. Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Ling Rinpoche and Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni. 

At the conference, religious leaders emphasized the collective power of courage, conviction and dedication to sow seeds of hope for a peaceful future. Through their speeches, they called for communities to act with love and harmony, encouraging a spirit of fraternity and solidarity.

The conference also conveyed a message from Pope Francis, shared by Fr. Norbert Herman, urging all individuals to contribute to a shared mission of hope, especially for those feeling helpless. “Each of us, through small or large acts, can contribute to sowing seeds of hope, reaping a harvest of peace together,” he said.

The event was coordinated by Parampal Singh Ji and Gur Sahib Singh Ji, who worked to ensure a platform for these leaders to unify their voices in a message of compassion and mutual respect. 

The leaders also visited Harmandir Sahib (the Golden Temple) in Amritsar to pay their respects, underscoring the spirit of interfaith harmony.

By Dr. Fr. Norbert Herman SVD