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Samanijis were invited to Cyprus by the community of Sant’ Egidio to attend the three days conference
The Civilization of Peace - Faiths and Cultures in Dialogue
jointly organised by Church of Cyprus and community of Sant’Egidio. This programme was started on 16th November and closed on the eve of 18th November 2008. On 16 November, an opening session was started at 4:30pm in the University of Cyprus. In this programme President of the Republic of Cyprus presented inaugural greetings for having a successful event. Keynote address was performed by Andrea RiccardiCommunity of Sant’Egidio. In this event speeches were given by Shear-Yashuv Cohen - Chief Rabbi of Haifa, Israel, Edward Fenech-Adami - President of the republic of Malta, Bamir Topi - President of the Republic of Albania, Filip Vujanovic - President of the Republic of Montenegro etc.
In the morning of 17th November seven panels and other eight panels in the afternoon were conducted on various topics in the different location of Cyprus Hilton hotel. During these panel representatives of various religions presented their views. At the end of the each panel there was a session of question-Answer in which every participant got chance to ask or comment on panel as well as present their views. So in this session Jainism also received an opportunity to expose it. Samani Prasanna Pragya introduced Jain Vishva Bharati and activities run by this organisation in brief. Most of the participants of the conference were Christians, Islam and Buddhists. People had shown their interest to know about Jainism and the life style of Jain Monks. Samanijis were asked many questions by many participants of the conference regarding the antiquity and Principles of Jainism. As they knew the vows of Jain monks and many of them surprised when they saw the simple and restrained life style of Samanijis.
On 18th November, in the morning panel, one paper was presented by Sohanlal Gandhi on the Subject ‘Anekant and Coexistence’. For most of the attendees it was completely new subject and people showed their interest to know more about it. At the end of the session samanijis distributed the material regarding Jainism, Anekant, and Ahimsa to those people who wanted to know more about Jain culture and religion.
In the eve of 18th November representatives of all religions were requested to do their own prayer of peace at different locations at the same time. Samanijis spoke about the importance of Jain Prayer and presented Arhat vandana with English translation of some sutras. This prayer was attended by some youngsters of Cyprus and people of the Community of Sant’Egidio. At the end of the prayer they paid thanks to samaniji for sharing the knowledge regarding Jainism and Jain Prayer. After finishing prayer all the participants of various religions were welcomed by the Church of Cyprus and the Community of Sant’Egidio and requested to join the procession. The procession was reached at the main location.
The Holy Archbishopric of Cyprus presented his Thanks speech which was followed by main event of lighting the candles. Representatives of all religions were invited to light the candle of peace and do the signature in register. The purpose of the whole event was to pray for the peace of whole world. The event was attended by around 1500 people and more than hundred religious leaders. It was a great opportunity to expose the Jainism as most of people were unfamiliar to it.
