Prayer Meeting at the Bahá’í Centre, Mumbai | 2nd May 2025
Statement by the Inter-Religious Solidarity Council (IRSC), Mumbai
The Inter-Religious Solidarity Council (IRSC), Mumbai, held a solemn inter-religious prayer meeting at the Bahá’í Centre on 2nd May 2025 to honor the memory of the victims of the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which occurred on 22nd April 2025. They prayed for justice to the victims and hoped that all those who are involved in the attack in any manner be brought to justice. The gathering brought together faith leaders from Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Zoroastrianism, Jainism, Ahmadia, Bahai’, and Sikhism in a unified expression of grief, compassion, and solidarity.
The prayer meeting was a collective affirmation of interfaith unity, with all leaders unequivocally rejecting violence in the name of religion. The gathering served as a space for offering heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and praying for peace and healing.
The faith leaders strongly condemned the senseless violence that claimed innocent lives and struck at the core of our shared humanity. They expressed deep concern over the wave of retaliatory attacks and hostile sentiments directed toward the Muslim community in the aftermath of the tragedy. Such responses, they noted, threaten the communal harmony, mutual respect, and spirit of shared coexistence that define our society.
The leaders called upon all citizens to maintain peace. They emphasized that several families of the victims shared moving accounts of how local Kashmiris—irrespective of their religion—rushed to help, offering shelter and comfort during the chaos. These stories are a testament to the power of humanity in times of crisis.
Now more than ever, the leaders stressed, we must come together to foster trust, love, and a spirit of reconciliation. Acts of hatred and communal targeting only deepen the wounds and divide us further. Healing, they said, required collective courage, a positive outlook, and a renewed commitment to peace. They reaffirmed that no religion condones hatred or violence, and that the core teachings of all faiths are rooted in compassion, justice, and respect.
