Interfaith leaders underline the need to dispel rumours about COVID vaccination
Interfaith leaders from different religions of the three northeastern states of Manipur, Meghalaya and Mizoram have underlined the need to gather more knowledge about the pandemic, dispel rumours about vaccinations and continue following COVID appropriate behaviour.
The appeal was made during a webinar organised by Sphere India, in collaborative partnership with UNICEF, World Health Organisation (WHO), World Vision India, and HCL Foundation on July 27.
The plenary session had Interfaith leaders from different religions of the three states come together to build Community Resilience through Credible Information Sharing and Prevent Stigma and Discrimination.
Program Manager of Sphere India Jennifer Kishan stressed the important role faith leaders play as changemakers that can impact the community by making it more COVID prepared.
Manager of Faith & Development, World Vision India, Manish Lall, urged the Faith leaders to promote safety protocols during worship, provide psychosocial care to the aggrieved and care for the marginalised and vulnerable sections of society.
Antaryami Krishna Dasa from ISKCON, Shillong, emphasised the importance of “taking proper care of the body and spreading a positive outlook in others to mitigate suffering.”
President of Muslim Council of Manipur Haji Arafat Ali looked at how false information and unverified news contributes to mistrust in the community.
He suggested a collaboration between faith leaders and the local administration for conducting awareness drives that can help fight the onslaught of misinformation related to COVID-19.
Secretary of Youth Affair with Baptist Church of Mizoram, Rev K. Lalbiakenga, highlighted how faith establishment can help in COVID prevention.
“Baptist Church of Mizoram has separated one church building for COVID patients and, we are detailing two-three doctors and ten nurses to remote areas for prevention of COVID infections. Other faith organisations can take similar measures,” he said.
The others who spoke on the occasion include -- Memita from Brahma Kumaris, Manipur, Swami Anuragananda, Secretary at Ramakrishna Mission, Cherrapunji, Rev. Dr Jangkholam Haokip, Director of Bethesda Khankho Foundation and Rev. Mc Donald Pyngrope from Mawkhar Presbyterian Church, Shillong.
(Edited by Ibankyntiew Mawrie)
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