–to foster discussions on social cohesion

THE University of Guyana (UG), on Friday, collaborated with the Inter-Religious Organisation of Guyana (IRO Guyana) to host the third annual interfaith panel discussion in observance of World Inter-Faith Harmony Week.

This observance has been held in the first week of February since 2010 to promote harmony among all religions, faiths and beliefs in the various places of worship around the world.
This year’s panel discussion, themed ‘The Role of Religion in Creating Harmonious Societies’, was the first to be held virtually, with the university assuming the role of virtual host, using the Zoom webinar platform.

It was facilitated by the university’s Supplies and Logistics Officer, Mr. Adrian Sam, who is also an advocate for youth and religion in his community.
The discussion included presentations from esteemed members of society, including Dr Laureen Pierre, a representative of the Baha’i community; President of the Guyana Council of Churches, Reverend Andrew Morris-Grant; Head of the West Demerara Arya Samaj, Pandit Dhanrajie Haimraj; and President of the Al-Mustafa Islamic Trust, Maulana Tasdeeq Aabidi.
The IRO had expressed the importance of programmes aimed at developing social cohesion and including young people who aspire for spiritual and intellectual growth, in order to make contributions to social progress.

As such, the university community, a fertile environment to foster discussions in a manner that promotes respect and tolerance for different beliefs while promoting peace and harmony among members, was deemed an apt one within which to hold such an event.