“Bound to Live Together: Faiths & Cultures in Dialogue”, Munich, Sept 11-13, 2011
IARF’s Dr. Dhalla lights the Lamp of Peace on behalf of the Zoroastrian community worldwide
On 11 September 2011, a commemoration ceremony was held in the open for the victims who perished in the tragedy of 9/11 in New York. This was held in Marshallplatz in the afternoon in the presence of His Excellency, Christian Wulff, President of the Federal Republic of Germany. IARF’s Dr. Homi Dhalla was invited as sole Zoroastrian representative, with religious leaders from various parts of the world representing various traditions participating. Besides this, there were prominent political personalities and a few Heads of State. Images of 9/11 were projected on a large screen and brief condolence messages were exchanged with New York. This was followed by the opening ceremony where the initial speech was delivered by the President of the Federal Republic of Germany. On this occasion, thematic remarks were made by Alpha Conde, President of the Republic of Guinea and Danilo Turk, President of the Republic of Slovenia.
On September 12, a Plenary Session was held when the keynote speech was delivered by Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany. This was followed by brief remarks by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, Archbishop of Munich. A number of sessions were held on September 12-13, dealing with peace, religious freedom, human rights, globalization, immigration, Jewish-Christian dialogue etc. Dr. Dhalla participated in the panel focusing on “Religions in Asia: The Challenge of Modernity”. He presented a paper entitled “How religions in Asia are working towards social transformation”. This session was chaired by Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai. A question-answer session followed the presentation of these papers.
Panel: “How religions in Asia are working towards social transformation”.
On September 13, the delegates were taken to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial site where a brief prayer meeting was held. Thereafter, the representatives of the various religious traditions were provided separate locations to recite prayers and perform a simple ceremony. After playing a monajat, Dr. Dhalla recited a very brief talk on the Zoroastrian religion followed by the performance of the Kusti ritual. Thereafter, he recited certain prayers on ‘Peace’ from the Zoroastrian scriptures, also furnishing a simple translation. He also answered a number of questions from the audience. This was followed by a peace procession leading to the Marienplatz where thousands had gathered for the closing ceremony. The representatives were seated on a podium. Being the concluding session, a few speeches were delivered. Dr. Dhalla was asked to light the Lamp of Peace on behalf of the Zoroastrian community worldwide.
Chennai inter-collegiate competition “Communal Harmony”, 2011
“We have celebrated International Human Rights Day on 10th December, 2011 at Shri Krishnaswamy College for women, Anna Nagar, Chennai by conducting Inter Collegiate competition under the Topic ” Communal Harmony”.
Different colleges were participated. As a coordinator, I requested & invited Director P.V. Prasath, Cine Director (Best Film Kadalil Vizhunthen) (Song Nakka mukka) & Mr. Kalaivanan Director, Kalai Trust for Judges Panel for neutral judgment. They have attended in time and program started after presidential Address of Dr. Thomas Mathew, Chairman, South Asia Coordinating Council, Kerala & Former International President, IARF.
The entire college was enjoyed the competition with other College students. Judges declared that the Ethiraj College for women (autonomous) Chennai got the First Place under the leader ship of Ms.Hemalatha, PG Student of Human Rights & duties Department of Ethiraj College & young adult of IARF, Chennai, Shri Krishnaswamy college for women got the II place and Bhakthavatchalam College for women, chennai got the III place. The out standing award given to Ms. Dhivya Bharathi, BCA II year, Krishnaswamy College for women. The celebration was started at 10.00am and ended at 05.00pm (IST)…”
– Krishnan Ramchandran, IARF-SACC Human Rights Education facilitator
Human Rights Day 2011 at Visakhapatnam
At Visakhapatnam Public Library, 10th December 2011
Dr. Yehuda Stolov, IARF Council representative from our Israel member group the Interfaith Encounter Association (IEA), delivered a TED talk at TEDx Jaffa, 2011.
Japan & U.S. Chapters’ first person-to-person exchange
Rev. Sakai in the pulpit at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Fairhaven
On 20th October 2011 a delegation of 23 members of the Japan Chapter of the IARF arrived in Washington, D.C., led by former IARF President Rev. Norio Sakai. Please see the reports below.
While still in Boston, Rev. Sakai asked Rev. Richard Kellaway if he would help organize a return visit to Japan. This is planned for October 2012.
First Japan Chapter-US Chapter Person-to-Person Exchange: Video (5 clips, link to Flickr); PDF
Peace Day 2011 observed in Chennai
On 8th August, 2011 between 03 & 05pm. @Ethiraj College for Women (Autonomous), Egmore, Chennai
As per the direction of IARF (SACC), Kerala & IARF India Chapter), the Peace Day was observed in memory of Victims of Hiroshima & Nagasaki, Japan on 6 & 9th August, 1945
The program started as per the Invitation schedule with Prayer by Ms. Swathi, Department of Human Rights & duties Education, Ethiraj College for women followed by Welcome Address by Dr.Mrs. Sri Ranjini Siva Subramanian, Head, Department of Human Rights and Duties Education, Ethiraj College. Mr. K. Ramachandran, Facilitator, IARF – HRE, Chennai has given introduction about IARF – HRE & its Activities briefly for the past years.
The power point Program was prepared by selecting various suitable & relevant photos about the incidents occurred on those Days by Mrs. R. Nithya IARF Young Adult & Lecturer, Department of Human Rights & Duties Education, Ethiraj College and the same was presented by Ms. Hemalatha, Young Adult IARF – HRE Facilitator, Chennai and P.G. Student, Department of Human Rights and duties Education, Ethiraj College has narrated the presentation with clearly and understandably by the audients. (The PPT is enclosed for information)
Then two minutes silence was observed by one and all in the Hall. Afterwards, Mrs. R. Nithya, Delivered the Message and addressed by Prime Minister of Japan on 6th August, 2011 received from Consul-General of Japan, Chennai (Copy enclosed) followed by Vote of Thanks.
The program was conducted by Department of Human Rights & Duties Education, Ethiraj College, Chennai. All other department staffs and students were also attended and encouraged the program. Ms. Purnima, IARF Young Adult & PG. Student of Anna Adarsh also attended with her college students.
– K. Ramachandran, Facilitator
New Servetus title from IARF
Publication: On the martyr Servetus
State of the martyr Servetus at Annemasse, France
2011 was the 500th Anniversary of the birth of Miguel Servetus (1511-1553), a Unitarian martyr for religious freedom, burned at the stake with his books in Geneva, 27 October, 1553…
Our British Chapter has collaborated to produce a festschrift titled “Servetus – Our 16th Century Contemporary” (PDF download), edited by Richard Boeke & Patrick Wynne-Jones, with contributions from Sandor Kovacs, Peter Morales, Richard Boeke, Peter Hughes, Jaume de Marcos.
Peter Morales with Servet festschrift
A flyer with details for obtaining the printed version is here.
