Marwan Sarwar Gill, Missionary, Argentina
Within the framework of the culmination of the Islamic fasting month (Ramadan) and, at the same time, on the eve of Pesach and Easter, representatives of the three Abrahamic religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, gathered at the headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Argentina to celebrate their festivities in brotherhood.
The event, designed as a space for reflection for the promotion of peace within a framework of international and national tensions, was attended by the Secretary of Worship and Civilisation of the Nation, the new President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops in Argentina, and other important religious representatives of the Christian and Jewish faith groups.
The religious representatives highlighted the harmonious inter-religious coexistence in Argentina, which is a result of the valuable contributions of the various communities and religious leaders. It was emphasised that social peace in a society is built by all and requires a joint and constant effort. Although there is still much to do and improve, it is essential to underline that, unlike Argentina, there are many other parts of the world where religious representatives are unable to sit at the same table due to their theological and religious differences. Above all, the war in the Middle East and the humanitarian suffering in Gaza have globally provoked unprecedented fissures and polarisations between communities.
Chief Rabbi Isaac Sacca expressed his feelings about the encounter:
“With great affection and hospitality, we were received by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, where, on the occasion of the end of Ramadan, they invited religious leaders for a dialogue that deepened the peace and dialogue already existing in Argentina among monotheistic religions. At the time of Pesach, which we commemorate as freedom as a supreme and fundamental value of society and a natural right of all human beings, this meeting promotes freedom and avoids authoritarianism that usually threatens peoples, it was a true meeting for freedom and peace.”
On the other hand, Bishop Marcelo Colombo summarised the spirit of the gathering in this way:
“We lived a true meeting of fraternity, listening and dialogue among leaders of different religions and Christian confessions. In the context of the great religious feasts, we emphasise the value of coming together as a sign of unity in the face of a world marked by division. We renew our common commitment to peace, freedom and closeness to the most vulnerable. May this shared gesture inspire us to be present with the same spirit at every table, especially at the tables of those most in need. May this Easter that we Christians are about to celebrate be a time of profound renewal of the work for peace and fraternity.”
Agustín Caulo, National Sub-secretary of Worship and Civilisation, highlighted:
“Once again, from the Secretariat of Worship and Civilisation, we celebrate that the representatives of different [faiths] professed in the country can meet to dialogue. On this occasion, at the request of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community of Argentina, through the generous invitation of its president, Imam Marwan Gill. We understand that meetings such as these, which have been commonplace in the country for some time now, must continue to set the course for Argentina in terms of interfaith dialogue and thus show the world that peaceful and friendly coexistence is possible.”