Catholic Church to host interfaith meet in Dhaka Sept

The Catholic Church in Bangladesh will host a major interfaith dialogue this September, aimed at fostering understanding and cooperation among different religious communities.

Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, Prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, made the announcement during a meeting with Bangladesh’s Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at his hotel in Rome on Saturday.

Hailing from the Indian state of Kerala, Cardinal Koovakad said the upcoming event will bring together leaders from various faiths to promote mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.

Chief Adviser Yunus welcomed the initiative and emphasized Bangladesh’s long-standing tradition of religious harmony. He also underscored the Interim Government's commitment to protecting the rights of all citizens, regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender, or background.

“Dialogue among faiths is essential for peace, especially in diverse societies like ours,” Prof Yunus noted.

The meeting was also attended by Lamiya Morshed, the government’s SDG Coordinator; Tareq Ariful Islam, Bangladesh Ambassador to the Vatican; and Rokebul Haque, Ambassador to Italy.