Interfaith workshop highlights dialogue and ethical leadership as key to peace in Manipur

Amid Manipur’s prolonged social and ethnic unrest, a two-day workshop on Interfaith Cooperation for Empowerment and Life Transformation concluded at Oasis College in Kangpokpi, emphasising dialogue, education and ethical leadership as vital pathways to peace and reconciliation.

Organised by the India Peace Centre, Nagpur, in collaboration with Oasis College, the workshop was held from January 22 and brought together faith leaders from Christian, Muslim and other religious communities, along with educators and civil society representatives. The initiative aimed to promote social harmony, inclusive development and sustained interfaith engagement.

The programme began with an invocation prayer by Rev. Satkai Chongloi, followed by a welcome address by Dr. Thathang Vaiphei, Chairman of Oasis College. Dr. Vaiphei outlined a three-year vision to hold the programme twice annually, focusing on nurturing faith leaders as advocates of interfaith cooperation while also supporting sustainable livelihood initiatives at the grassroots level.

Delivering the keynote address, Angelious Michael of the India Peace Centre, Nagpur, shared insights from his peacebuilding experience in post-conflict regions across Northeast India. He highlighted confidence-building, humility in leadership and cross-faith collaboration as essential components for lasting peace in conflict-affected areas.

Technical sessions featured speakers including Rev. T. Karang Maram, former Director (Peace and Development), MBC, and Abdul Halim, President of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, Manipur. Discussions focused on faith-based community development, economic empowerment, peacebuilding and inclusive citizenship, with emphasis on local capacity-building, sustainable livelihood models and ethical leadership.

In a session moderated by Rev. Satkai Chongloi, Rev. Maram urged communities to move from dependency to active participation through self-help groups, micro-enterprises, agriculture and skill development. He called upon faith leaders to take active roles as peace-makers and community workers.

Another session, moderated by Sem Haokip, featured Abdul Halim speaking on promoting social harmony and inclusive citizenship through interfaith action. He stressed the importance of justice, fraternity and the sanctity of life, drawing upon constitutional values and religious teachings.

The concluding day focused on the psychological and social roots of conflict. A session titled “The Awful Power of Prejudices: Bitter Roots”, moderated by Dr. Kimneijoy Rosy Lotjem of TC College, examined how unconscious bias and stereotypes contribute to prolonged conflict. Speaker Sem Haokip described prejudice as a major underlying cause of violence and called education the most effective long-term solution.

Rev. Simon Raomei, President of the All Manipur Christian Organisation, highlighted the crucial role of youth in peacebuilding, noting that young people, while often the most affected by conflict, can also be the strongest agents of reconciliation.

The workshop concluded with a group discussion and the adoption of key recommendations, including greater inclusion of traditional and faith leaders, focused dialogue on social issues, the creation of a common reconciliation platform and sustained interfaith engagement at the community level.

Participants reaffirmed their commitment to continued dialogue, joint action and long-term collaboration, describing interfaith cooperation and values-based education as essential for enduring peace in Manipur.