EUCLID University commemorates UN Interfaith Harmony Week

The Gambia branch of EUCLID University on Sunday commemorated the 2017 edition of the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week at its headquarters in Brusubi.

The theme for this year’s celebration was ‘Calls for everyone to become agents of World Peace, and interfaith harmony ambassadors towards tolerance, togetherness and global peaceful co-existence.

Ancha Gaye, EUCLID acting office manager, said the commemoration was meant to create commitment towards supporting the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week which has both institutional and experiential components.

Gaye pointed out that EUCLID’s intergovernmental statutes call for the offering of graduate programmes in Inter-Religious Dialogue as well as the establishment of the International Institute for Inter-Religious Diplomacy.

Muhammed Loum, EUCLID director of HQ operations in The Gambia, said the commemoration would pave the way to greater interfaith dialogue and integration of different religious followers.

He emphasised that interfaith should not be understood as a call for religions to be one.

“It is not ‘Christmus’. Rather, it calls for responsible dialogue, understanding and respect towards mainly the Abrahamic religions (i.e. Judaism, Christianity and Islam),” Mr Loum said.

Reading the Banjul Declaration marking the week on behalf of the Mayor of Banjul, Sandigie Njie expressed optimism that “the tolerance, love and peaceful co-existence which Banjul has been known for before, during, and after the colonial era, shall continue to prevail and flourish throughout the ages”.

According to him, prejudice, tribalism and religious sentiments and intolerance are the new destabilisers of the world.

“Let us say no to all forms of Islamophobia and xenophobia. Let us live together in spirit of peace and oneness, for it is only through peace where we can all enjoy the benefits of sustainable development,” Njie said.