Nepal awaits a message of peace and harmony for the country from Assisi, 2011

(October 27, 2011) Religious leaders of the major denominations in Nepal praised the pilgrimage of Pope Benedict XVI, for bringing the representatives of other faiths to Assisi on Thursday. Although no Nepalese religious leader was present, they all say they are ready to be inspired by this event. They claim it is also an example for Nepal to bring peace and harmony between different faiths and ethnicities. The Protestant Bishop Narayan Sharma, praising the initiative of Pope Benedict XVI said he wanted to learn a lesson of peace and harmony. The parish priest of the Cathedral of the Assumption, Robin Rai, said: "We hope that Nepal is blessed by the Pope's prayer for a healthy secularity for the country." Keshav Chaulagain, president of the World Hindu Federation of Nepalese, said: "We do not need to go to a special place to pray, we can build solidarity and unity when we sit together and confess our misunderstandings." Nazrul Hussein, president of the 'Islamic Sangh Nepal and secretary of the Inter-religious Council said: "I want to join in the Pope's prayer. World Peace is possible only through respect and religious harmony." He hoped that the prayer of the Pope will create stronger bonds between Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Buddhists and everyone else in the country. The Religious Leaders said that the prayer of Pope diffuses the light on the great religions of the country, so they can understand the minorities.