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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline SEPTEMBER 08, 2023 | The Indian Eye 28

Summons to conscience is the message of Interfaith Actions

BHAVYA SRIVASTAVA
Chicago, IL
he message resonates with
clarity and conviction: We
Tmust join hands, unite, and
safeguard the religious rights of all
faiths. The Parliament of World Re-
ligions (PoWR) has traversed a re-
markable journey since 1893. The
1893 Parliament of the World’s Re-
ligions brought together 400 men
and women, representing 41 diverse
religious traditions. It was during this
momentous gathering that Catholi-
cism and Judaism gained recognition
as significant American religions, and
the luminous traditions of Hinduism
and Buddhism were unveiled to the
Western world.
In the contemporary landscape, by the Birmingham-based Nishkam
where the specters of religious fanat- Seva Jatha, this Sikh tradition was
icism and state-sanctioned alienation brought to life under the guidance
loom large, the initial tableau of the of Bhai Sahab Mohinder Singh, who
plenary challenges our reality. The joyously proclaimed adherence to
camaraderie among individuals from Sikh guru teachings through service
Mexico, China, and India on the dais to the world, transcending all biases.
extends a warm invitation to stake- Faith leaders, adorned with white
holders of faith, beckoning them scarves, formed orderly queues, sa-
towards a realm of peace, harmony, voring Indian delicacies with hearts
and genuine discourse on pressing full of contentment. Within the tent,
matters. Chicago’s atmosphere was a grand theater of interfaith harmony
electric, and Mayor Brandon John- and service unfolded. Nishkam Seva
son astutely proclaimed, “In this mo- Jatha’s legacy of offering free langar
ment, seeking refuge solely within since the 2004 PoWR was radiant.
scriptures and holy texts falls short; it A poignant tribute unfolded for
is essential to exhibit the most mag- the 30,000 children lost to gun vi-
nificent creation and power of hu- nated with masses, nurturing under- the solemn rite of climate repentance olence. Scraps of orange fabric co-
manity – the act of love.” standing through the prism of yoga. shone a luminous light on faith’s role. alesced into labyrinthine patterns
PoWR 2023 resounded as a The panorama was a tapestry woven Within the tapestry of aspira- or transformed into raw tools by the
summons to conscience. The cen- with the threads of diversity. tions, it was religious fanaticism that skilled hands of Shane Claiborne’s
tral theme was the defense of free- The PoWR embodies an idea. garnered the earnest ears of all. Rev. blacksmith forge. His declaration
dom and Human Rights. A sojourn Over 250 breakout sessions grap- Jen Butler, the visionary founder of reverberated, “When we mold that
through the exhibition hall became pled with diverse subjects. The inner Faith in Public Life, lamented, “Re- metal, it resounds with the proclama-
a journey into one’s moral compass. dialogues, cast as a broad mandate, ligion, once the sanctuary of moral tion that the world can be reshaped.”
Here, spiritual traditions, religious often witnessed some gems eclipsed teachings, now stands manipulated, The Parliament of World Reli-
collectives, faith-based seminaries, in the shadows. The spectrum of its moral fabric corroded by heinous gions 2023 encapsulates the elements
modern mantras for bonding, an- topics, spanning the gamut from de- acts of violence. Autocratic forces required for reimagining our percep-
cient sutras for equilibrium, poignant constructing religious patriarchy to wield religion as an instrument for tions of faith. It beckoned forth dis-
reflections on religious animosity, the serendipitous revelations in the amassing power and maintaining tinguished faith leaders, entwining
organizations dedicated to social realm of anti-nuclear activism, en- control, from the prism of Russian them in conversations that bear rich
progress, and revitalizing yoga med- ticed discerning minds. Yet, amidst Orthodox nationalism to the fervor fruit. Concealed within closed cham-
itations converged. One stall orches- the symphony of simultaneous ses- of Catholic nationalism in Hungary bers, the International Religious
trated interfaith harmonies through sions, flowing with the current was and Poland, from India’s Hindutva Freedom Roundtable murmured
melodious songs, while another akin to chasing ephemeral wisps. to Israel’s nascent ruling coalition’s profound secrets, reminiscent of the
presented sobering data on minori- The plenary sessions, a harmonious Jewish nationalism, and further hallowed halls of Washington. The
ties targeted by right-wing regimes. ensemble of thought, struck deep to the evangelical and Pentecostal Indian delegation of interfaith lead-
Tokens of memory took the form of chords. The Women’s Assembly held strains of religious nationalism in the ers radiated with fervor. The quest
pens, badges, shirts, chocolates, pins, profound significance, addressing U.S. and Brazil.” The expo center for a better world necessitates the ex-
and meticulously annotated leaflets the very core of female participation echoed this sentiment with a clamor change of ideas. PoWR has evolved
and brochures. The Boston School of within faith-infused societies. Amidst of urgency. into a pertinent platform for intricate
Theology extended courses to fath- this resplendence, the assembly ad- The Langar, an enchanting ritual discussions, where faith assumes a
om the nuances of various religions, vocating climate action, the council embedded in past PoWR gatherings, fresh and actionable agenda.
while the Divine Life Society reso- amplifying indigenous voices, and enchanted thousands. Orchestrated --Asian Media USA

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