Inter-faith gathering on a mission to promote peace

A Sikh temple in Manukau City was the scene of a pioneering effort to bring races and faiths together at the weekend.

Auckland leaders of Christian, Islam, Hindu, Baha'i, Sikh and Jewish religions shared the pulpit at the new Manurewa temple of the Sikh organisation Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbar.

The organisation's adviser, H.P.S. Luthera, said it had arranged the conference in line with its mission to spread a message of brotherhood.

Speakers, who drew a crowd of up to 500, emphasised the need for joint efforts for world peace.

The speakers, from Australia, India and England, included Baba Amar Singh, who founded five Nanaksar branches worldwide and 10 schools. He concluded the sessions by saying: "There is only one father and we are his children."

Mr Luthera said the weekend's events had been an "eye opener" and showed all religions were worried about erosion of moral values.

The Sikh invitation was welcomed by one of the speakers, Rabbi Michael Weisser of the Beth Shalom Synagogue in Epsom.

He said faith groups could learn from one another. Their differences were in the details but all shared a sense that God was real and eternal.

The conference preceded today's activities to mark International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, known in New Zealand as Race Relations Day.

The day recalls the Sharpeville tragedy in South Africa in 1960. Almost 70 people were killed when police fired on a peaceful black demonstration.