Religious think tanks and leaders from all faiths and development activities  joined a meeting interfaith dialogue with  religious leaders and citizens in the city today (Sunday). Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, March 15, 2026 (BSS)- Speakers at a meeting here today unanimously 
mentioned that interfaith dialogue coupled with religious learning is very 
important for ensuring religious harmony besides preventing all sorts of 
communal violence everywhere in the society.
 
Concerted efforts of religious leaders from all faiths and frequent 
interfaith dialogue can also be the best ways of ensuring peace and 
tranquility everywhere in the society.
 
Interfaith dialogues and intensified efforts are very important to combat 
terrorism and extremism coupled with freeing the society from all sorts of 
social crimes.
 
Religious think tanks and leaders from all faiths and development activists 
came up with the observations while addressing an interfaith dialogue with 
religious leaders and citizens in the city today (Sunday).
 
Regional office of Caritas Bangladesh organized the meeting at its conference 
hall to mark the celebration of Caritas Day 2026 and provide long-service 
awards.

"Prayer, Listening and Fasting: A Holy Call of Inner Transformation" was the 
main theme of the event where 37 Caritas members were awarded as recognition 
for their devotion to works.

Hafez Mawlana Rafiqul Islam from Hazi Jamir Uddin Safina Mohila College, 
Subrata Kumar Sarker from Ramkrishna Mission Ashram and Reverend Father 
Fabian from Catholic Dharma Prodesh addressed the dialogue as panel 
discussants on behalf of their respective faiths.

Bishop Jevers Rosario addressed the meeting as the chief guest while Caritas 
Regional Director Dr Arook Toppo was in the chair.

Editor of 'Daily Sonar Desh' Akbraul Hassan Millat, entrepreneur Abul Hasna 
Poly and development activist Everest Hembrom also spoke.

Bishop Jevers Rosario illustrated the aspects of maintaining communal and 
religious harmony, putting forward a set of recommendations on the issue 
saying dialogue should be held in such a way, that participants are able to 
learn from others' religious experiences, and good practices.

He said deepening communion and alignment is the aim of prayer as to 
establish a direct, personal, and uninterrupted relationship with the God, 
allowing the soul to be refreshed and filled with the Holy Spirit.

Besides, cultivating spiritual sensitivity is the aim of "listening" as it is 
a deliberate act of silence and attention that sharpens one's ability to hear 
God's guidance and direction, reducing the tendency to confuse personal 
desires with God's will.

Apart from this, subduing the flesh and empowering the spirit is the aim of 
fasting as it works to break the power of carnal desires (flesh) and 
acknowledge complete dependence on God.

Stirring spiritual hunger acts to replace physical cravings with a deeper 
craving for God's presence, word, and righteousness.

As a whole, the revelation of true spiritual condition allows the Holy Spirit 
to expose sin and shortcomings, leading to sincere repentance, brokenness, 
and inner renewal.

The religious think tanks said the main theme of the holy call of inner 
transformation is to move from superficial religious activity to a dynamic, 
inward change that radiates outward as Christlike character.

In his remarks, Dr Arook Toppo underlined the need for organising and 
promoting extensive interfaith dialogues with a stronger approach at 
community levels to create a strong public opinion in favour of peaceful 
religious practices.
 
He called for concerted efforts of religious leaders from all faiths to 
ensure harmony and tranquility everywhere in the society.