Kerala Peace Workshop Trains University Students as Ambassadors of Harmony

PALAI, October 20, 2026: Forty university students from diverse religious backgrounds have been trained as peace ambassadors at a three-day residential workshop in Kerala that promoted interfaith understanding, social harmony and peaceful coexistence.

The workshop, *Sahodaryam-2026* (Fraternal Solidarity), was held from October 17 to 19 at Hosana Mount, Edamattom, Bharananganam, near Pala. It brought together undergraduate and postgraduate students from colleges affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University to examine religious diversity, prejudice and the challenges to communal harmony.

“Divisive thinking directly contradicts God’s beautiful plan for humanity,” said Dr Joseph Mar Barnabas Saffragan, metropolitan archbishop of the Ranni-Niranam Archdiocese of the Mar Thoma Church, at the concluding ceremony. He said intolerance rooted in arrogance and ignorance led people to fight in the name of religion, despite life being a gift from God.

The workshop was jointly organised by the Mar Chrysostom Foundation, Thiruvalla; Souhard Peace Centre, Varanasi; and Kerala Sarvodaya Mandalam, Pala. It opened on October 17 with an inaugural address by Swamy Gururatnam Gyana Tapasvi of Shantigiri Ashram, Thiruvananthapuram.

Sessions led by Islamic scholar Dr C.H. Mustafa Maulavi, peace scholar Fr Dr Mothy Varkey and Swamy Satswarooananda Saraswathy of Umbernath Ashram, Mavelikkara, explored ways to strengthen interreligious understanding.

Fr Anand Mathew, IMS, director of the Souhard Peace Centre, addressed xenophobia, or fear of people perceived as different, examining its social and psychological roots. He proposed *xenophilia*—openness and goodwill towards people of different faiths, cultures, regions and languages—as an approach to building inclusive communities. Interactive activities facilitated by Shijin Varkey and Shaju Cherian encouraged participants to reflect on these issues.

Filmmaker Boby Avagama screened his film *Njan Thanichalla* (I Am Not Alone), prompting discussions on welcoming people of other faiths into one’s home and community. Maulavi Talha Nadvi of the Islamic seminary in Erattupetta and educationist Fauzia Kareem spoke about the teachings of Prophet Muhammad and the importance of respecting religious diversity.

Advocate M.J. Sebastian, MLA representing Poonjar, discussed the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging artificial superintelligence (ASI) to influence global peace and social harmony.

On October 18, participants and resource persons took part in a peace rally through Bharananganam. The rally concluded with the planting of an olive sapling by local MLA Mani C. Kappen near the pilgrimage shrine housing the mortal remains of St Alphonsa.

At the concluding ceremony, Dr Cyriac Thomas, former vice-chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University, delivered the keynote address. Along with novelist Benyamin, he presented certificates recognising the participants as peace ambassadors. Arsha Vinod and Akash Siby received the Best Camper awards, presented by V.M. Abdullah Khan.

Reflecting on the workshop, participant Anushree S. said she was returning to her college with a renewed understanding of people from other faiths. Arsha Vinod pledged to promote respect for people of diverse cultures and religious traditions.

The workshop was coordinated by Reji Koppara, Fr Thomas Koshy and Bobby Avagama of the Mar Chrysostom Foundation, along with V.M. Abdullah Khan of Safalam, Siby Puraidom of the Kerala Sarvodaya Mandalam and Fr Anand Mathew.

Through discussions, cultural engagement and community activities, Sahodaryam-2026 sought to equip young people to counter prejudice and promote peaceful coexistence in their institutions and communities.

By Catholic Connect Reporter