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WORLD  Panel Of Diverse Religions And Nationalities Discusses Peace FROM THENEWSSTAR.COM USA, Jul 14 (VNN) — Jean Gordon / Religion writer Dr. O.C. Ifediora, a Monroe physician and native of Nigeria, said the three main barriers to peace are prejudice, inordinate ambition and poverty. "People who can't afford the basic necessities of life such as food and shelter become fertile ground for illegal activities," Ifediora said.
The forum, called "Overcoming Obstacles to Peace, Friendship and Joy," was sponsored by the Eagle Vision Foundation, a local organization that promotes world peace through religious understanding and shared worship of God. Like many of the panelists, Ifediora said overcoming prejudice is key to achieving peace. Dr. Mahmoud Khalil, a local cardiologist and the imam of the Islamic Center of Northeast Louisiana in Monroe, said peace comes from understanding. "The first step toward achieving peace between different people of different backgrounds is what we are doing here," Khalil said. "To get together and talk together and get to know one another." Each person on the panel - which was made up of people from such faiths as Christianity, Islam, Hare Krishna and the Baha'i faith, and from such countries as Australia, India, Nigeria and China - contributed insights drawn from their religious and cultural backgrounds. Eagle Vision was founded by Dr. Dawn Knight, a Monroe obstetrician and gynecologist, and her husband, Ram Tanguturi, a business consultant. Through Eagle Vision, Knight and Tanguturi have traveled to Cambodia, Vietnam, Thailand, Nigeria and India to host interdenominational "town hall" meetings with Christians, Muslims and Buddhists. Through their organization, the couple also helps support orphanages in India and Cambodia. Though world religions share a similar understanding about God, Knight said, the divine is manifested differently within different cultures. "Problems arise when people think their way is the only way," Knight said. The other speakers included the Rev. Larry Stafford, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Monroe; Jun Tan of JT and Xiaoan International LLC, a Monroe company that promotes cultural exchange between the United States and China; Dr. Lynette Frieden, a local chiropractor; Karen Tomita, a school teacher from Hawaii; and Jimmy Cloud, Nancy Moss and Lakshmi Bhatt. About 50 people attended the event. Lillian Matthews, a Monroe nurse practitioner, said she was drawn to the forum because she is interested in different cultures and meeting people with open minds. Matthews, 50, had her own idea about attaining peace. "The first step toward peace is to find peace within your own heart," she said. Contact VNN about this story  Send this story to a friend
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