Bangkok, Thailand - The committee to establish an Interreligious Peace Council of Thailand, which includes Buddhist, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and Catholic leaders, met with the President of the Hindu Samaj Association and Representative of the Chief Brahm of the Royal Brahman Temple on May 21 to consult with them about the proposed council.
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Before starting the meeting, the two leaders took all the guests to visit the Thep Monthien Temple and Holy Sculpture above the Hindu Samaj office. After reading the vision and purpose of this council, the President of Hindu Samaj, Mr. Mahabir Goder, expressed agreement because its purpose is to promote peace and he wants to give his full cooperation and support for its establishment. Brahm Pakorn Wuttibrahm, the representative of the Chief Brahm of the Royal Brahman Temple, expressed his desire and readiness to support its establishment.
Mr. Suthep Laolamao, representative of the highest Muslim leadership in Thailand said that the purpose of religions is peace and agreed that the time is ripe for the emergence of an Interreligious Peace Council in Thailand, which is much needed.
Mr. Suthep Suriya-amarit, former President of the Sikh Sri Guru Singh, explained that the Thai government has made efforts to establish a National Interreligious Committee for decades, but it was never successful. He expressed hopes that this time it will be successful, because it has a clear purpose for peace. He noted that the King of Thailand is a patron of all religions in Thailand, and for that reason people of different religions have been able to live together in the past; an interreligious council could encourage further cooperation in the cause of peace at this time.
The UPF committee members and all the religious leaders present expressed their ideas about ways to support this project. Finally, everyone enjoyed vegetarian Indian food prepared by Hindu Samaj.