“Dear Hindu partners,

I offer you greetings and good wishes on behalf of the World Council of Churches (WCC) as you celebrate the festival of Diwali. On this auspicious occasion as affirm the importance of peace and prosperity as the foundations for human flourishing, I wish you, your families and your communities peace and prosperity in all their fullness.

The current global context of pandemic has pushed many communities into situations of uncertainty and anxiety. This has been further aggravated by recent acts of hate and violence. In such a context, there is much onus on faith communities to build a safe, stable and sustainable world. The magnitude of this task demands that religious communities work interreligiously in a spirit of solidarity.

Recognising the importance of interreligious solidarity, the World Council of Churches and the Vatican’s Pontifical Council of Interreligious Dialogue (PCID) produced a joint document entitled, Serving a Wounded World in Interreligious Solidarity: A Christian Call to Reflection and Action During COVID-19 and Beyond’ in August this year. The document recognises that there is “a global interconnectedness” that urges faith communities “to assume planetary responsibility based on common religious and ethical values” to serve and heal our world. Today we have the challenge of rediscovering this mutual interconnectedness as a path towards a more hospitable and hopeful world.

The WCC recalls with gratitude the partnership we have enjoyed with our Hindu partners in the pursuit of justice and peace. Our partnership has been one of mutual edification and encouragement. As I offer you my best wishes for this festive season, I sincerely hope that through continued collaboration and commitment we may contribute meaningfully towards making a difference in our world today.

On this festival of lights, as you light lamps of joy and hope in your homes, I hope that they may also be an expression of your commitment to bring joy and hope to the world, by working towards dispelling hate, prejudice and violence. With fervent hope and immense gratitude, I wish you and your families a happy Diwali.

With best wishes

Revd Professor Dr Ioan Sauca

Interim General Secretary World Council of Churches”