Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono, President of Malta, hosted representatives of various religions and faiths present in Malta at San Anton Palace, for an interfaith event that celebrated and promoted dialogue, respect and unity.
In her message to those present, Her Excellency Myriam Spiteri Debono referred to the role of different religions as a collective tool for peace and harmony. “The major religions have similar underlying core principles; they share several ethical principles and precepts concerning peace, inclusivity, and the inherent dignity of every human being.”
This event was organised by Professor John Anthony Berry, Professor of Fundamental and Dogmatic Theology at the University of Malta, and held alongside the International Religion and Society Conference which is being held later this month.
Representing the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Malta, the President of the Community, Imam Laiq Ahmed Atif, spoke about the need for interfaith harmony and said:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, Ever Merciful
Your Excellency and distinguished guests, Assalamo-Alaikum — peace be upon you all.
Meaningful interfaith dialogue is essential for peace, as religion remains a powerful force for positive change. The Holy Quran describes an attribute of God as As-Salaam — the Source of all peace.
The Holy Quran calls upon the People of the Book [قُلۡ یٰۤاَہۡلَ الۡکِتٰبِ تَعَالَوۡا اِلٰی کَلِمَۃٍ سَوَآءٍۢ بَیۡنَنَا وَبَیۡنَکُمۡ], and indeed people of all faiths, towards a common and unifying principle for interfaith harmony and peace: that is to believe in Almighty God, the Most Gracious, and Ever Merciful; and serving humanity. The Islamic greeting [السَّلاَمُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُ اللهِ وَبَرَكَاتُهُ] that I recited at the beginning is also a message of peace, goodwill, and brotherhood. The Holy Quran declares: اِنَّمَا الۡمُؤۡمِنُوۡنَ اِخۡوَۃٌ فَاَصۡلِحُوۡا بَیۡنَ اَخَوَیۡکُمۡ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰہَ لَعَلَّکُمۡ تُرۡحَمُوۡنَ
“Indeed all believers are brothers. So make peace between your brothers, and be mindful of your duty to Allah, that you may be shown mercy.”
In essence, the motto of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community — which reflects the true spirit of Islamic teachings — serves as a guiding principle for fostering universal brotherhood and lasting peace, and that is: LOVE FOR ALL — HATRED FOR NONE
Professor Berry described the event held at San Anton Palace as one of the most representative gatherings of religious leaders and representatives ever held in Malta. The event brought together leaders and representatives from a wide range of faiths and denominations, including the Catholic Church in Malta, represented by His Grace Bishop Joseph Galea Curmi, alongside representatives from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta [www.ahmadiyya.mt], the Anglican Church, the Dhammakaya Malta International Foundation, the Evangelical Baptist Church, Infinity India-Malta Association, the Islamic Community Malta, the Jewish Community of Malta, the Romanian Orthodox Church, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, the Greek Orthodox Church the Ukrainian Orthodox Parish, the Coptic Orthodox Church, the Serbian Orthodox Church, the Georgian Orthodox Church, St. Andrews Scots Malta and the Pakistani Catholic Community in Malta. Messages on behalf of the Baha’i community and the Greek Catholic Church were also read during the event.
The Ambassador of Spain, H.E. Miriam Álvarez de la Rosa Rodríguez, the Ambassador of Greece, H.E. Stella Bezirtzoglou, the Ambassador of Türkiye, H.E. Ambassador Barkın Kayaoğlu and the British High Commissioner to Malta, H.E. Victoria Busby, also attended this event, alongside representatives of the Apostolic Nunciature to Malta and Embassy of the United States to Malta and Reverend Dr Joseph Ellul, Chairman of the Commission for Interreligious Dialogue within the Archidiocese of Malta. Photos: Office of the President | www.one.com.mt | Press Release |
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Ir-rażan, id-djalogu, l-għaqda u l-fiduċja f’Alla
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