Interfaith activities combat hatemongering

Race Relations Commissioner Dame Susan Devoy is absolutely right in saying that it is up to all New Zealanders to act against hatemongers, said Wellington Interfaith Council president Wendy Matthews.

“Our interfaith council, and others around the country, are working constantly to build understanding and co-operation between New Zealand’s faith groups, so that violence arising from religious differences, unfortunately now so widespread overseas, will not develop here,” she added.

Dame Susan and Mrs Matthews were reacting to the desecration of Jewish graves in Dunedin Southern Cemetery.

“From a young age onwards, we need to make sure that all Kiwis understand and accept the religious and ethnic diversity of today’s New Zealand, and realise that hatred against others – whether shown by speech, physical violence, or cowardly grave attacks – is the beginning of a destructive downward slide in our society,” Mrs Matthews said.

“Positive interfaith activities, which are open to everyone, are a contribution to preventing this.”

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