Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic started to spread across the globe, all of us have been trying to grapple with the significant changes the pandemic has brought to our daily lives. It is a difficult and uncertain time, and we need a spiritual relief more than ever, and regain hope and a sense of comfort to sustain us.
The World Economic Forum acknowledges that faith leaders can actually provide such comfort to their communities by turning to religious texts and theology, and encouraging safe practices. However, they also recognize the need for “an immediate and whole-of society approach to prevent the transmission of the virus.” Particularly for some communities, they need an extra measure of help more than ever as well. It is the kind of relief that is not just spiritual relief, but also physical and financial ones. The question is, how can interfaith communities collaboratively work to respond to the pandemic? What are some of the things that been done in this respect all around the world?
In Indonesia, where the 1000 Abrahamic Circles Project Secretariat is headquartered, a concerted, interfaith effort between multiple organizations, representing the Muslim, Christian, Catholic, Buddhist, and Hindu communities is ongoing, providing relief to neighborhoods impacted by the COVID-19.
Globally, the recent joint forces between UNICEF and Religions for Peace in New York highlights a global leadership in leveraging the “the unique and critical roles played by religious leaders and actor, in influencing values, attitudes, behaviors and actions” to protect the development and wellbeing of children and youths across the globe. Similar moves are also happening at a grassroots level in North America, Europe, and Africa.
The 1000 Abrahamic Circles Project, under the umbrella of the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia (FPCI) cordially invites you to join our virtual public discussion that focuses on the “Multi-Faith Efforts in Addressing COVID-19 in Indonesia and Across the Globe”
To be held on:
Date: Thursday, April 30, 2020
Time: 20:00 – 22:00 WIB
Please note that this public discussion will be held through our official Youtube channel. To join the discussion, kindly access our official Youtube channel here
No reservation is required and everyone is welcome to join. For more information, please contact FPCI Secretariat at +62 89 667 094 924 (WhatsApp only)
