Some 50 priests and 50 imams, plus a number of lay people, met last Saturday in Savar (Dhaka), at a Qur\u201d\u02dcan research centre to discuss \u201d\u02dcLeadership in a pluralistic society from the Muslim and Christian points of view\u2019.<\/p>\n
Organised with the support of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME), the seminar was chaired by philosopher Obidur Rahman. The Italian ambassador to Bangladesh, Ms Itala Maria Marta Occhi, and Ms Kilmeny Beckering Vinckers, Australian deputy high commissioner, were present at the event.<\/p>\n
In his address, Rev Paul Sishir Sarkar, bishop of the Anglican Church of Bangladesh, said that society today is increasingly pluralistic, and that mutual understanding and dialogue are increasingly important. In this context, an open exchange of opinions can be advantageous to everyone. For this reason, it is even more important for Christians and their leaders to lead a life according to their faith, with honesty, humility and openness to dialogue, for \u201cMuslims are our neighbours,\u201d\u009d he said, and as leaders, \u201cwe should teach our people to love them\u201d\u009d.<\/p>\n