Sifco approves new managing committee |26 November 2021
The annual general meeting
In its annual general meeting held yesterday at the Bahà’i Centre at Rock Lane, Bel Air, the Seychelles Interfaith Council nominated and approved a new managing committee.
It comprises Anglican Church Archdeacon Danny Elizabeth, Baha’i Faith Marion Gendron, Brahma Kumari Society Jean-Claude Matombe (Alternate: Dr Valentina Seth), Buddhist Society RB Ekanayake, Greek Orthodox Church Fr. Sergios Janosevic, Hindu Council Anil Kumar Singh, Islamic Society of Seychelles Imam Abdu-Rahman Heneka, Roman Catholic Church Fr. Eric Leon, Seychelles Evangelical Alliance Robert Moumou and Zoroastrian Faith Ruby Pardiwalla.
This year the annual general meeting (AGM) was presided by the vice-chair, Anglican Church Archbishop James Wong and President Wavel Ramkalawan graced the event with his presence and he also addressed the members present at the meeting.
“I felt that it was very important for me to grace your AGM as religious affairs is directly under the presidency. Religion for me is the basis of peace, unity and morality in the country and if we want to build a country where we can show respect and where we can encourage our children to grow in ways that will be an honour for any family, the basis is religion. Respect of one’s belief has always been my cornerstone,” said President Ramkalawan.
He remarked that the state can work with the Seychelles Interfaith Council (Sifco) and it is sad that the pandemic did not allow them to meet to discuss other issues.
President Ramkalawan also mentioned how his views corroborate with those of Sifco. “There is so much pressure on the administration to open more casinos and I did not approve them and at the same time Sifco sent me a letter on the same subject. Government is looking at increasing the licence fees of casinos in the hope of discouraging the setting up of Casinos. Government welcomes your analysis on what is happening in the country. We welcome not only support from Sifco but also your criticism. Because it is only through listening that we will be able to get things right,” remarked President Ramkalawan.
Another announcement made by the president is to convert the Regina Mundi Convent into a school of excellence.
During the AGM, the members approved the minutes for the last two years as last year due to the pandemic, they could not do that. The members also reviewed the activities done in 2020 and 2021. Mrs Gendron gave a review of Sifco’s activities in 2021. For Covid-19: Sifco was represented on the Faith-based technical committee of the Ministry of Health by Robert Moumou and Sister Alice.
Leading to Sifco’s request to the President for representation on the platinum committee and during the meeting President Ramkalawan accepted that request and asked Sifco to choose a member to be on that committee.
Sifco also had two management meetings and a Whatsapp group was formed in 2020 administered by Mr Moumou as a form of communication, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.
Regarding laws and Civil Status Bill 2020, individual religions gave feedback directly to the AG’s Office.
Regarding new casinos a letter was written to the President and a reply received regarding this social evil.
Sifco is also represented on boards and agencies: SBC, HIV Aids Council, Film Censorship Board and they participate in various national and international events.
There was a special message for Bishop Denis Wiehe who faithfully served as chairman from the launch of Sifco on February 11, 2012. In principle, his tenure with the council ended with this meeting. Bishop Denis Wiehe completed his office as Bishop of Port Victoria on September 10, 2020. There was a possibility that he might have been retiring in Seychelles. Later, he decided to spend his retirement in his country of origin, Mauritius, where he now resides.
As the council expresses its warm appreciation to Bishop Denis, they welcomed his successor, Bishop Alain Harel, who was present at this meeting, and they wished him well in his episcopal office.
Representatives of all religions were present for the meeting and Bishop Chang-Him concluded the meeting with a call to all the religious leaders: “God has called us to be the guidance of spiritual life in Seychelles. Let us come together and help people heal as our brothers and sisters in Seychelles are suffering.”
President Ramkalawan promised to help Sifco, and guaranteed Sifco of his support and attention. Sifco is set to help bring unity and peace in the country.
Vidya Gappy
