A Melody of Harmony Resonates in Rio, Brazil: HWPL Walks Together for Religious Freedom

 

 

Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, was packed with 100,000 citizens longing for peace. In September 2024, the HWPL Brazil branch was invited to participate in the ’18th Walk for Religious Freedom’ held here. Co-hosted by the Commission for Combating Religious Intolerance (CCIR) and the Center for the Articulation of Marginalized Populations (CEAP), this event was organized to deliver a message of respect to all humanity, transcending religion and race.

Held every third Sunday of September, this event was established following a religious violence incident in 2008. With over 1.8 million cumulative participants over the past 18 years, it has become the largest interfaith solidarity event voluntarily built by Brazilian civil society.

This year’s event was held under the beautiful theme, ‘Understanding Each Other Through Song.’ At the moving closing ceremony, where various religious songs were harmonized as one, Ivanir dos Santos, the representative of CEAP and a leader of the event, explained, ‘This event is a place of reflection for creating a pluralistic society and an effort to strengthen the foundations of democracy.’ He further emphasized the need to jointly overcome intolerance and discrimination, the pressing challenges of modern society.

 

 

The Value of Peace Shared Between HWPL and Brazil: “We Are One”

HWPL joined the walk because the value of ‘respect for diversity’ pursued by the host organizations is deeply rooted in the same principles as HWPL’s vision of peace. From African-rooted religions like Candomblé to Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, and Islam, the sight of all religious leaders uniting for the ‘defense of a secular state’ and ‘coexistence’ aligns perfectly with the interfaith dialogue model that HWPL is practicing worldwide.

Through the World Alliance of Religions’ Peace (WARP) Offices in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, HWPL has been building deep trust with local religious leaders by conducting Scripture Comparison Discussions. In particular, activities aimed at fostering mutual understanding between African-rooted religions and Christianity have left a positive impression on Brazilian society. Building on this precious relationship, both parties reaffirmed their shared philosophy of peace through this event and have become steadfast partners.

 

 

By joining this peace walk, HWPL promises to engage even more actively in the peace movement together with the Brazilian public. Amelia, the Director of the HWPL Brazil Branch, expressed her resolve, saying, “In Brazil, a country with the world’s most dynamic religious diversity, we will strive even harder to enhance human rights across society through interfaith harmony.”