Pilgrims assembled to prepare themselves to enter the worship place at the 1st destination: Sanatan Shiv Temple. - Photo; Pescila Magdalin
On Saturday 29 March 2025, this morning around 10.00 am the weather was exceptionally beautiful with clear skies allowed the Interfaith Pilgrimage Walk in Suva. The event began with an opening prayer by a Muslim member offering a prayer in her faith and tradition invoking God's strength and guidance and emphasizing the importance of building relationships and peace among diverse faiths. The aim was to promote Interfaith understanding, build unity and raise awareness among different religious. The destinations covered the walk were: Sanatan Shiv Mandir (Temple), Jame Masjid (Mosque), The Church of Jesus Christ Latter-day Saints and the final destination was at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic About 40 people took part in the walk from different faiths - Hindus, Muslims, Mormons, Catholics and other Christians. It included a number of lecturers and students from the Pacific Theological College. The participants were thankful to the weather held until we were safely inside the SJW Parish church when the rain started pouring heavily.
Religious leaders were very welcoming at each place of worship to explain their beliefs and practices and provided a tour of their site. As participants walked from one sacred site to another, spiritual hymns were sung, creating a sense of unity and reverence throughout the pilgrimage. Some questions were raised politely by the pilgrims to the religious leaders during their presence in the temples. At the end at each temple, we prayed for peace, love and understanding to build unity among different faiths.
The religious leader at the Sanatan Dharm temple shared inclusive term for Hinduism, and various traditions and practices. Lord Shiva is the supreme being in this tradition, with lesser deities worshipped (such as Laxmi for wealth, Ganesha, etc). We witnessed worshipers at site of the different deities using flowers, leaves of a plant, cow’s milk, etc. We refrained from eating meat to respect Hindu traditions on that day.
At the Jame Masjid (Mosque/Muslim place of worship), the pilgrims entered the Mosque through entrance with right foot forward, exit with left foot forward. The Maulvi explained the5 pillars of Islam (profession of faith (Shahada), prayer (Salah), almsgiving (Zakat), fasting during Ramadan (Sawm/Roza), and pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) within means) Muslims pray 5 times a day at specific times (exact prayer time noted on electronic noticeboard in the mosque). Men expected to attend mosque on Fridays for congregational prayers, women were optional. Witnessed Imams (Muslim priest) call to prayer and demonstrate praying in Arabic and different body positions used. All prayers are ritual prayers (unlike Christianity where conversational prayer is allowed). The group was treated to refreshments.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the President Mr. Viliame provided insight into the faith teachings, and advised that the correct name is “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints”, often incorrectly known as the Mormon or LDS church. To embark as missionaries abroad men do 2-year stint while women do 18 months service commitment. Not everyone can enter a Church Temple – only those who have been in the Church for more than a year, and selected areas are designated for those with selected qualifications. They believe in the Bible, and are guided by the Book of Mormon (sacred record they consider in addition to bible). The president also shared to the participants about the Church’s practice of eternal marriages done in their temple.
The Pilgrimage concluded at St Joseph the Worker Parish (Catholic Church) whereFr Michael Kumar, new parish priest of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary shared the background of the Parish, and briefly explained the core beliefs of the Catholic faith to the group. Fr. Micheal shared to the pilgrims regarding this holy walk is in the mission of Interfaith understanding and inviting Catholics to deeper learnings and understanding of other peoples’ faiths to build unity and respect for one another’s beliefs and practices, and care for our creation. The members of the parish also joined and served the pilgrims to refreshments and mingled with each other to build unity and peace. The participants were thankful to the weather held until we were safely inside the SJW Parish church when the rain started pouring heavily.
The event demonstrated the power of coming together in mutual respect, learning from each other’s beliefs, and fostering a spirit of unity.
The Columban Interreligious Dialogue coordinator extends its gratitude to all those who participated and contributed to the success of this event. We look forward to continuing this important work of interfaith engagement and collaboration.
The program concluded around 2.00pm with heavy rain blessings on the success event on this day.
Pescila Magdalin.
Columban IRD coordinator.
Comments (0)