Durban’s Catholic Archbishop Mandla Jwara this weekend urged KwaZulu-Natal’s residents to become the solution to KwaZulu-Natal’s problems irrespective of their religious beliefs and ethnicities.
Speaking this weekend at the Turquoise Harmony Institute’s traditional friendship and dialogue Iftaar (meal eaten by Muslims after sunset during Ramadan), Jwara said: “Together we can fight to deem of xenophobia and other demons that keep raising their ugly heads in our societies. Let us unite and look for solutions to our global problems. I would like to see you working with me so that together we can correct the problems that this world facing especially in KwaZulu-Natal.”
Jwara, who was recently appointed archbishop, went on to say: “May I take this opportunity to greet you all and thank you very sincerely for inviting me to share this evening with you during this holy month of Ramadan. It is a great honour indeed to be with you this evening. I am extremely happy that this organisation celebrates unity and equality in diversity, by honouring the common ties that bind us all as brothers and sisters.”
The Iftaar dinner participants on Saturday evening emphasised the importance of interfaith and unity to heal the wounds of people of a province that has been hard hit by coronavirus, lootings and now from floods.
Jwara said that the Turqoise’s aims of “understanding tolerance and love for one another, by sharing cultural and religious traditions” fitted in very much with the writings of Pope Francis, which had influenced him personally to reach out to other human beings.
Anglican Bishop Nkosinatha Ndwandwe, who also attended the event held on Saturday at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre added to Jwara’s comments.
“I feel greatly honoured to be part of this great and auspicious gathering. Diversity is a gift from the creator. You can imagine if all of us were the same, thought the same way, and all of us looked alike, how the world would be boring. The world is exciting because there are such diverse people in it. We think differently, we do things differently, but it doesn’t mean that we do not belong together, with all our differences, we belong together. Ramadan is a month of relationships, to continue fostering tolerance and love one another by sharing our cultural and religious traditions. Turquoise people speak positively, we are willing to work hand in hand with you in furthering work that has been done,” he said.
Turquose’s Durban Director Mehmet Naci, welcoming all those who attended the dinner said: “Tonight, as we break [the] fast together, we honour the traditions of one of the world’s great faiths. For Muslims, Ramadan is a time to reflect and to remember that discipline and devotion is the essence of a life of faith.”
“And for all of us, whatever our faiths, Ramadan is a reminder of just how much we share. The values of peace and charity, the importance of family and community. These are all universal values which we must embrace as a collective. The command to love one another, to uphold justice, and to care for the least among us are common threads in our faith traditions,” Naci said.
Ela Gandhi, the granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, who served as a member of parliament in South Africa, also attended the dinner.
“I want to congratulate the Turquoise Harmony institution for all the wonderful work they have done over the years, I have experience, I have seen their works. What strikes me most of all is the dedication, dedication of every single person who works in this institute. The principles they talk about here are also very close to our hearts, the principle of peace, non-violence, of friendship, respect for everyone and they carry these values with them. Turquoise volunteers practice what they preach. We are one family regardless of our different faith, different culture, we are together, and that togetherness needs to be built and that togetherness that will eventually bring about a kind of a beautiful world that we want to see,” she said.
South Africa’s award winning poet Dr Gcina Mhlope performed at the iftar and the program ended with a prayer by Sister Cathy Murugan, from Denis Hurley Centre.
The Turquoise Harmony Institute organises various programmes and events with the sole purpose of promoting social cohesion and nation building. From inter-faith dialogues to skills development we try to reach as many people as possible. The annual Iftaar Dinner is one such programme which is aimed at bringing people from different cultures to experience the spiritual and social significance of breaking fast during the month of Ramadan which is an important month for the Muslim community throughout the world.