IMA Kuwait Hosts Inter-Faith Dialogue & Community Get to Gather

IMA Kuwait Hosts Inter-Faith Dialogue & Community Get to Gather

Indian Muslim Association (IMA) Kuwait, under the esteemed patronage of Kuwait’s Salsabeel Foundation, organized successfully an Inter-Faith Dialogue & Get Together Event on Friday, 16 January 2026, at Chef Naushad Restaurant, Farwaniya, to commemorate the 77th Republic Day of India. The thoughtfully curated Event brought together respected Representatives from Diverse Faith Traditions to engage in meaningful Dialogue and shared their thoughtful Ideas on the Event’s Main Theme ‘’Role of Religion in Nation Building’.

The Event was conceived as a Platform for Constructive Dialogue, Mutual Respect & Shared National Values, highlighting India’s long-standing Ethos of Unity in Diversity & reflecting on the Ethical and Moral foundations that have historically shaped India’s nation-building journey. The Initiative underscored the conviction that Religion, when guided by Morality & Values of Compassion, Justice, Service & Mutual Respect, serves as a constructive force in strengthening National Unity, Social Harmony & responsible Citizenship—Core Ideals enshrined in the spirit of the Indian Republic.

The Event commenced with the recitation of Holy Quran by Mr Dawood Adsami, and convened by Mr Pervez Hanif who presented an overview of the Vision and Community role of Indian Muslim Association (IMA) Kuwait, within the Indian diaspora in Kuwait

Inter-Faith Perspectives on Nation Building

The Event featured Insightful Presentations from Distinguished Speakers representing Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism, and Islam, each highlighting how Faith-based Ethical Values have positively contributed to India’s Nation-Building Journey.

Father James Tuscano, Principal of Don Bosco School, emphasized the role of Compassion, Moral responsibility & Selfless Service in Nation building. Highlighting the exemplary life of Mother Teresa, He noted that Christian teachings promote care for the vulnerable section of the society and historically contributed to Education, Healthcare & Social Cohesion in India.

Dr Raghunandan Rayavaram, Community Secretary, Forum of Indian Doctors, highlighted the principles of Dharma (Righteous Duty) and the Vedic teaching ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’—the world is one family—as foundational to India’s inclusive Nation-building Ethos. He emphasized that Hindu Values promote Tolerance, Social Responsibility & respect for Diversity. He noted that these timeless teachings have sustained India’s Pluralistic Society and fostered Harmony across Communities.

Capt. Jagdeep Singh Rangi, Port Captain KOC, highlighted core Sikh principles of Equality, Justice & Selfless Service (Seva) as vital contributors to Nation building. Emphasizing the spiritual message of ‘Ek Allah, Ek Noor’, he underscored the Oneness of Humanity and the rejection of all forms of discrimination. He further reinforced this message by playing verses from the Guru Granth Sahib, which was attentively heard by the audience, creating a reflective moment. He noted that Sikh teachings inspire Courage, Discipline & active Social Responsibility, encouraging Individuals to serve the Nation with integrity while upholding Human dignity and Unity.

Guest of Honor for the Evening Mr Abdul Aziz Al-Duaij, Former Director General, IPC Kuwait, in his remarks, praised India’s remarkable Progress and Development, particularly in light of its vast diversity of Cultures, Languages & Faith traditions. Mr Al-Duaij noted that India’s strength lies in its Unity in Diversity, strong Moral Character and the ability of its people to coexist harmoniously despite differences. He commended the Indian community for upholding these values and congratulated them on their national identity, expressing admiration for India’s inclusive Ethos and Societal resilience. His address resonated strongly with the audience and was met with warm appreciation and applause.

Patriotic Children’s Presentation

One of the most emotionally moving moments of the Evening was the Children’s Patriotic Presentation during the rendition of “Saare Jahan Se Achha, Hindustan Hamara”. Clad in Tricolor Attire, Children entered from different directions, waving Indian Flag and Singing along, later distributing Flags to the Audience. The spontaneous participation of Attendees turned the segment into a powerful collective expression of Patriotism and Unity, leaving a deeply touching and Memorable Impact.

Keynote Address:

Professor Saleem Engineer, National General Secretary of the Forum for Democracy and Communal Amity (FDCA), Visiting Scholar from India & Chief Guest of the Event delivered a thought-provoking Keynote address that beautifully linked religious teachings, human history, and moral philosophy to the theme “Role of Religion in Nation Building.” Quoting Mahatma Gandhi and Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), he emphasized that the true essence of religion lies in uplifting Human Character and Moral Conduct, which form the Ethical foundation of any Strong and Enduring Nation.

He further explained that while religion is sometimes misused or misunderstood for personal or political gains, such distortions do not represent its true spirit. When properly understood and sincerely practiced, religion strengthens values such as honesty, compassion, discipline, and social responsibility—qualities he described as prerequisites for successful nation building.

An Interactive Q&A session allowed participants to engage thoughtfully with the Speakers, encouraging respectful exchange of Ideas and reinforcing the spirit of Dialogue and Understanding that defined the Event.

The Event concluded with a Closing Address and Vote of Thanks by Mr Shaikh Waleed Umri, who eloquently summarized the Purpose, Key deliberations & Spirit of the Event. He highlighted how the thoughtful contributions from Speakers across Faiths reinforced the Central Message that Religion, when understood in its true Ethical essence, serves as a Unifying & Constructive force in Nation building. He expressed sincere gratitude to the distinguished Speakers, Guests, Organizers, Volunteers, and Attendees for their dignified participation, and acknowledged their collective role in making the Event Meaningful and Impactful. The Program concluded with a fellowship Dinner, providing an opportunity for informal interaction among participants from diverse backgrounds.

IMA Kuwait, a prominent Indian socio-religious organization operating under the patronage of the Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Kuwait, continues to serve expatriates by organizing events that enhance their Spiritual and Social well-being. It looks forward to hosting more impactful programs in the future, catering to the needs of the Indian expatriate community in Kuwait.