President meets religious dignitaries

Hanoi(VNA) – Religious activities must aim to strengthen the solidarity of religious followers in the great national unity bloc so as to serve national construction and defence, said President Tran Dai Quang.

The head of State made the remarks at a reception for 29 dignitaries representing 17 religious organisations nationwide, in Hanoi, on August 18.

He urged religions to carry forward their humanitarian values and religious ethics to lead a wealthy life, and encourage their followers to actively participate in socio-economic-cultural development, and protect security and order in their localities.

Applauding religious followers’ contributions to national construction and defence, the leader noted his hope that the religions will continue to unite with each other and with people nationwide to bring the country forward.

He stressed the Party’s and State’s sound policies and guidelines on religion, which, he said, have helped improve the spiritual and material life of followers.

President Tran Dai Quang also urged the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Government Committee for Religious Affairs and other organisations to encourage religious dignitaries and followers to integrate into the community, join patriotic movements and raise the sense of vigilance against hostile forces who aim to take advantage of the religions to sabotage the Vietnamese people’s revolutionary cause.

Vietnam is currently home to 39 religious organisations from 14 recognised religions, with 28,000 places of worship and 25 million followers, or about 27 percent of the country’s population.

The country ranks third worldwide in terms of belief and religious diversity.-VNA