URI and the African Council of Religious Leaders (ACRL) worked with the International Society of Krishna Consciousness (ISKON – also commonly referred to as ‘Hare Krishna’ ) based in Nairobi, to host an interfaith discussion on “Celibacy and Sexuality in Spirituality,” and a unity luncheon at the Nairobi ISKON temple.
Among the 30 youth participants were Muslims, Christians and ISKON devotees from various organizations, including Damittea Peace Initiative, Imagine Kenya Trust, Youth Development Initiative, Kenya Assemblies of God Church, Kenya Muslims Youth Alliance and the host temple.
Karuna Das, ISKON priest and primary co-host of the event, guided the conversation by inviting participants to speak briefly about their respective religious faiths, and then to delve specifically into their religious perspectives and teachings on celibacy and sexuality. The discussion also had a question and answer session, which created room for participants to better understand each other’s beliefs.
In addition to Karuna Das (Hare Krishna, ISKON Nairobi), the presenters included Sheikh Mohamed Ahmed (Muslim, Damietta Peace Initiative), Ms. Fatma Musa (Muslim, Damietta Peace Initiative), the Rev. Benedict Ayodi (Christian, Damietta Peace Initiative), and Pastor Joseph Omondi (Christian, Kenya Assemblies of God). Several of the participants admitted that it was the first time they had engaged in this kind of a conversation in an interfaith setting, and they were both surprised and impressed by how interesting and informative it was.
The discussion was followed by a shared meal, prepared and served by the youth devotees at the ISKON temple. Thereafter, the participants were invited to visit the temple grounds and also to witness the Darshan in the afternoon.
World Interfaith Harmony Week (the first week of February) provides a good platform for people of faith and goodwill to work together, show the power of love and kindness, understand each other better and serve their society at large. Ms. Nyambura Mundia of URI-Africa and Ms. Nyambura Gichuki of ACRL helped organize this local event.
More photos of this event are available at URI's Facebook page.