PM talks with religious dignitaries, followers nationwide

 

HCM City (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 19 held a meeting with 55 representatives from religious organisations nationwide to listen to religious followers’ opinions and proposals, aiming to better implement the law on belief and religions.

According to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, Vietnam has recognised and granted licenses to 39 religious organisations which groups over 24 million followers, or 27 percent of the country’s population, nearly 53,000 dignitaries, and 28,000 worshiping facilities.

Religious dignitaries at the event agreed that despite their differences in doctrines and orientation, all religions shared the motto of closely attaching to the nation.

The religious organisations have contributed to preserve and promote cultural and humanity values that have positive influence to the society. They have acted as important channels contributing to realising Party and State’s policies and law.

Representatives from many religious organisations lauded the Law on Belief and Religions, while proposing that the Government direct central agencies and sectors to issue guiding documents as soon as possible.

Speaking at the event, PM Phuc clarified that throughout the history of national construction and defence, the Party and State have maintained the consistent viewpoint of respecting and ensuring people’s right to belief and religious freedom, as well as fostering religious solidarity to build a strong national unity bloc to serve national development and defence.

The Government leader noted that over the past years, religious law and policies have been seriously implemented, ensuring the observation of the right to belief and religious freedom of people in line with the Constitution and law, especially after the adoption of the Law on Belief and Religion.

The PM held that outstanding models of religion in engaging in social affairs, including charity classes, health care services and sponsorships, have shown the responsibility of religions to society as well as their practical contributions to national construction and defence.

At the same time, he pointed to a number of challenges and difficulties facing religious activities, including limitations in economic and environment conditions as well as shortcomings in law and policies, and incitements from hostage forces.

He asked the religious dignitaries to promote their role to set example for the implementation of religious policies and law, while encouraging followers to respond to socio-economic development movements.

They should coordinate closely with State agencies to deal with the difficulties on a constructive spirit and respect to the law, not allowing outside forces to take advantage of religious freedom to sow division and harming the country’s national development and international integration, he asked.

The PM also directed ministries, sectors and localities to continue focus on improving the spiritual and material conditions for people, especially religious followers, while promoting cultural and moral values of beliefs and religions in the society, thus enriching the country’s culture.

Optimising religious resources will also contribute to create synergy strength for the national construction and development, he added.-VNA