National Council of Young Catholic Students and Young Student Movement Celebrates Bakrid in Spirit of Interreligious Harmony

Mangaluru, May 29, 2026: The celebration of Bakrid at the National Council of the Young Catholic Students and Young Student Movement emerged as a meaningful witness to interreligious harmony, reflecting the movement’s commitment to peace, unity, and mutual respect among people of different faiths.

Held under the theme “Different Voices, One Society,” with a focus on peace, culture, and dignity, the gathering highlighted the inclusive character of the student movement, where young people from diverse religious backgrounds are welcomed and encouraged to participate fully in community life.

The celebration gained special significance with the presence of two Muslim participants — Syed Dilshad, a student of Sacred Heart High School, Hyderabad, and Arhaan Hussain from Christ the King College, Jhansi — whose experiences reflected the spirit of acceptance and togetherness fostered within the movement.

Speaking during the celebration, Arhaan Hussain described the warmth and affection he experienced during the Bakrid observance.

“I was very surprised when I was asked to come onto the stage. I did not know why I was called. Soon, all the participants gathered around us and began wishing us ‘Happy Feast,’ singing and celebrating our festival, Eid-ul-Adha,” he said.

“I witnessed the true quality of the movement — people from different religions celebrating our festival together. I felt deeply touched and surrounded by positive vibes. I thought that since I was away from my hometown, I might not even be able to express myself freely. But the movement felt like my home, and that is the beauty of this community,” he added.

Syed Dilshad shared how his involvement in the movement transformed his understanding of relationships among people of different faith traditions.

“Before joining the movement, I used to think that people from different religions stayed separate. But this movement taught me the importance of unity, respect, and peace among everyone,” he said.

He noted that the movement helped him gain confidence to speak publicly, share his opinions, and participate in activities without fear.

“Through this movement, I learned values such as helping others, caring for the poor, and becoming more responsible in society. I found good friends and a supportive, family-like community where I never felt judged or excluded because of my religion,” he said.

He added that the experience inspired him to become more disciplined, focused on his studies, and committed to working for peace and social change.

The occasion was also marked by the blessings of Bishop Ignatius D’Souza, Chairman of the Commission for Youth of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India, who encouraged the youth to continue promoting harmony and fraternity in society.

The Bakrid celebration at the National Council reaffirmed the movement’s vision of building a society where people of different faiths and cultures can live together in dignity, mutual respect, and shared humanity.

By Catholic Connect Reporter