Indian teachers make pilgrimage to Abu Dhabi in the name of brotherhood

St. Andrew's School in Mumbai - where teachers of different religions work side by side - has promoted a trip in the name of the historic document signed in 2019 by Pope Francis and Imam al Tayyeb. Headmaster Fr. Magi Murzello: ‘A common religious response to the challenge of pluralism and the promotion of diversity as a value rooted in religious freedom.’

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - St. Andrew's School in Bandra, Mumbai, is currently promoting a ‘Tour of Fraternity’ to Abu Dhabi with its teachers, inspired by Pope Francis' signing of the Document on Human Fraternity. A journey ‘into diversity’ and ‘in a spirit of fraternity’.

The group left on the morning of 5 September, the day on which India celebrates Teachers' Day, which also coincides with the liturgical feast of Saint Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Speaking to AsiaNews, Headmaster Fr Magi Murzello explains: "Pope Francis' signing of the Document on Human Fraternity was historic and left a deep impression on our staff and students. St Andrew's is a Catholic educational institution, serving children of all faiths through our educational apostolate. Furthermore, in April 2024, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) asked schools to promote religious and cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity not only among students but also among staff members. It also suggested offering training on inclusive practices to create a welcoming and harmonious working environment in educational institutions."

‘For this reason,’ continues the headmaster of St. Andrew's School, "we planned this tour to Abu Dhabi for our teachers, with the specific aim of taking them to the place where, in 2019, the historic “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” was signed by Pope Francis and the Sheikh of al-Azhar, Ahmed al-Tayyeb. It was a common religious response to the challenge of pluralism and the promotion of diversity as a value rooted in religious freedom."

Given the multicultural and pluralistic nature of Indian society, St. Andrew's aims to promote the spirit of diversity, tolerance and harmony. ‘Not only are Catholic students a minority in our institutions, but our teachers also come from different religious denominations,’ comments Fr. Magi Murzello.

Professor Rachna Bhanushali, one of the teachers on the trip, told AsiaNews: "It is a privilege for me to teach at St. Andrew's School, where, in addition to offering quality education, we transmit values for character building and nation building. After the signing of the Document on Fraternity, a seminar was organised at our school with the staff to explain what had happened between two great religious institutions: the Catholic Church and Al-Azhar. Since then, many members of the teaching staff had expressed their desire to participate in a Fraternity Tour."

Professor Avdesh Tiwari, another teacher, added: "It's a wonderful initiative: in India, we live in a multicultural and multi-religious society, and Pope Francis was highly respected by people of all faiths. Whenever he spoke, he did so for everyone, not just for Christians. His words and actions had universal appeal. This tour will also strengthen the sense of fraternity among the staff at St. Andrew's.‘

’Saint Mother Teresa was also a teacher,‘ concludes Fr. Magi Murzello. ’She believed in unity among people of different religions, promoting interreligious harmony by emphasising that compassion and love transcend religious boundaries."

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