This is the hope expressed by the Vatican Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue as it acknowledges the the celebration of the Hindu Festival of Light.

The Festival is more commonly called Diwali in North India and South India it is mostly called Deepavali. The meaning of both the words is the same.

"As people grounded in our own respective religious traditions and with shared convictions, may we, Hindus and Christians, join together with followers of other religions and with people of good will to foster a culture of inclusion for a just and peaceful society." says the president of the Council, Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran.

Source

• pcinterreligious.org
• Image: inksploration.com

Such is the euphoria that even the non-Hindu population participate in fun and celebrations related to the festival of Diwali.

In his Diwali message, President Ratu Epeli Nailatikau said central to Hindu philosophy was the belief that there was something beyond the physical body and mind, which was pure, infinite and eternal.

"Our nation needs spiritual enlightenment to rid us from the evil of enmity, division and discord and to change our attitude, our thinking, the way we live and the way we are governed at all levels of society for the betterment of all," Ratu Epeli said.

Pandit Bhuwan Dutty said the prayers, which would officially begin on the eve of Diwali would centre on "having plenty for everyone in the country".

"We would pray for plenty of food for everyone everywhere and also pray for the wellbeing of all people," Mr Dutty said.

He said the Sabha's message for this Diwali was for everyone to be hard workers in order to have sufficient food for all to bring prosperity to the community.

Source

• Diwalifestival.org
• FijiTimesOnline - Pandit Bhuwan Dutty
• FijiTimesOnline - Ratu Epeli Nailatikau
• Image: 1neBrownGirl.com