In commemoration of 800th anniversary of encounter between St. Francis of Assisi, and Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil)

Ballari, 8th December This year commemorates 800th anniversary of encounter between Saint Francis of Assisi, a 12th century well-known Saint of Ecology from Italy and Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil of Egypt. Hence an Inter-Religious Sammelan for Peace and Harmony will be held on 8th December 2019 at 10.00 AM in ADHYATMA, ArogyaMatha Shrine Church Premises, Ballari.

The incident took place this way:

In the Middle East, in the Islam Sultans were extending their kingdoms by waging wars against other nations. Similarly they occupied Israel, which is called the Holy Land, the birth nation of Jesus Christ. Now the Christians wanted to occupy it back by retaliating through war called crusade. But this Holy man, Saint Francis of Assisi said that, nothing can be achieved through war, except loss of life, property and bloodshed. So thought to travel all the way from Italy to Egypt and meet the Sultan al-Malik al-Kamil Damietta in Egypt. Hence he started his journey and met Sultan in the year 1219 (800 years ago) and stopped the war through peace and dialogue. Saint Francis taught him the love of Jesus Christ and brotherhood. The Sultan was taken up by the simple life of this great saint and gave him the best hospitality. Thus the Inter-Religious dialogue was established between Islam and Christianity and the Holy Land was restored back to the Christians.

This encounter between Saint Francis and Sultan offers us the model to respect, to dialogue and to live in peace as brothers and sisters despite the religious differences. Even though, it is 800 years ago that St. Francis undertook this journey of Peace, such an initiative is indeed the need of the hour today.

Marking this anniversary, Pope Francis undertook a historic visit to U.AE. Pope held a meeting with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Commander of the Armed Forces Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed and Dr Ahmed Al Tayeb, Grand Imam and Chairman of the Muslim Council of Elders. This visit marks the openness towards one another, earnest desire for peace and promotion of universal brotherhood. Pope’s visit to UAE is an inspiration and an encouragement for us to open the avenues of dialogue with people of other faiths and promote peace in the society.

During this Inter-Religious Sammelan on 8th December 2019, the representatives from different faiths, Rev. Fr. Praveen D’Souza, Sri Charukeerti Bhattaraka Swamiji, Sri Khazi Gulam Ghouse Siddiqui Mohamed, Sri Basava Jaya Mrutyunjaya Swamiji, Sri Kalyan Swamiji, Kumari Nirmala, Sri S.C Bagrecha, Rev Gona Immanuel,

Sri Giani Harcharan Singh, Sri Janablal Hussain Sab, Sri B. Sriramulu, H’ble Minister for Health, Govt of Karnataka, Sri Y. Devendrappa MP, Sri G. Somshekar Reddy MLA, Sri B Nagendra MLA, Sri Allum Veerabhadrappa MLC, Sri K.C Kondiah MLC, Sri Nara Suryanarayana Reddy, Sri Nara Bharath Reddy, Sri B. Venkatesh Prasad will address the gathering on how it is possible to find the common ground for peaceful and harmonious existence in India in spite of our differences. Most. Rev. Dr. Henry D’Souza, the Bishop of Bellary will deliver the presidential address. People of different faiths, young and old, men and women are expected to partake in this celebration.

Fr. Jesu Maharaja, OFM                                                                  Fr. Ivan Pinto
Dharmodaya Seva Ashram,                                                            St. Antony’s Community Centre
Near Vianney Vidyalaya School,                                                    Cantonment, 583 104
Cantonment, Ballari                                                                       Ballari
7676480670                                                                                   9449040153
Jesumaharaja2012@gmail.com                                                      ivanpinto22@yahoo.com