By Atma Tattva Das, ISKCON News Staff Writer
This February of 2025, Plateau State, Nigeria, hosted two significant interfaith events aimed at fostering peace and unity among diverse religious communities. The celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week on February 5 set the stage, followed by an engagement organized by the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COF) on February 13. Religious leaders from various faiths, including the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) Jos, convened to discuss practical steps toward peacebuilding.
The COF event, held at the Sacred Heart Pastoral Centre in Jos, brought together leaders from Christian, Muslim, and other faith traditions under the theme of mutual respect and cooperation. Salika Dasa, the Temple President of ISKCON Jos, represented the Krishna-conscious community and delivered insights rooted in the teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
“This is the right move in the right direction,” Salika remarked. “Every being on this earth seeks peace, but many may not fully understand what true peace constitutes. In Krishna consciousness, peace is inherent within us; it needs to be uncovered through sincere spiritual practice.”
Salika’s presence at both the World Interfaith Harmony Week and COF gatherings underscored ISKCON’s commitment to interfaith dialogue. Reflecting on the events, he highlighted the value of shared spiritual principles: “Our approach is to help people uncover the peace within themselves and extend that peace through relationships with others.”
The COF event emphasized actionable outcomes, including a unique initiative where religious leaders were paired and given ‘economic trees’ to plant together, symbolizing long-term cooperation and mutual care. This initiative received praise from participants, including Dr. Emmanuel Ivorgba of the United Religions Initiative, who stated, “Combining the power of religion with the leadership of religious people allows us to build peace and harmony in Plateau State.”
Challenges and Triumphs
Salika shared the challenges ISKCON Jos faced while engaging in interfaith work, particularly in a region historically marked by religious tensions. “Sometimes, people are hesitant to accept perspectives outside their own faith. But through open dialogue, we’ve seen walls come down,” he said.
The triumphs, however, have been equally significant. Salika recalled an interaction from the COF event that led to the distribution of Srila Prabhupada’s books: “One Christian leader approached me after my presentation and said, ‘Your message of internal peace resonated with me deeply. It reminded me that peace is not just external but starts within.’ Moments like that show we are making an impact.”
A Call for Continued Engagement
Participants at the COF event, including Rev. Fr. Andrew Dewan of Plateau State University in Bokkos, emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue. “We can’t just talk about religious dialogue in a vacuum. Initiatives like tree planting help us connect on practical levels,” he noted.
Salika echoed this sentiment, urging other ISKCON communities to engage with initiatives led by the COF. “These events provide a platform to share our philosophy and contribute to the ongoing dialogue. I encourage ISKCON communities worldwide to reach out to organizations like the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace and participate in interfaith dialogues as regularly as possible.”
Future Initiatives and Ways Forward
Looking ahead, ISKCON Jos plans to expand its interfaith activities. “We are working on a series of peace workshops for youth in Jos,” Salika revealed. “We aim to equip young people with spiritual tools to promote peace in their communities.”
The COF also announced ongoing evaluations of their peace initiatives, with plans to establish interfaith training centers across Plateau State. “Success is measured not just by the absence of conflict, but by the strength of relationships built,” said Nanmak Bali, President of the Plateau Peace Practitioners Network.
For ISKCON communities interested in getting involved, Salika emphasized the value of collaboration. “Partnerships with local organizations can amplify our efforts. Together, we can foster an environment where peace thrives.”
As Plateau State continues its journey toward peace, the contributions of ISKCON Jos and other religious leaders serve as a testament to the power of faith in building bridges and nurturing harmony.
– Source: ISKCONnews.org
