President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has underscored the need for religious organisations to extend gratitude beyond spiritual blessings and internal acts of service to include societal contributions.
He issued these remarks during the ‘Hope is Rising’ prayer event at the National Cultural Centre on Friday night.
This 24-hour prayer service was a collaborative effort between the government and the Christian movement – Hope is Rising.
In his address, the President emphasised the importance of thankfulness within religious organisations, including churches, temples, and mosques.
“When I say church, I am speaking nationally about the temples, mosques and all of these bodies. If you hear the messages that come out from some of these bodies sometimes, there is a lack of thankfulness and gratitude. And we have to fix that. The church today must be a place where gratitude is not limited to spiritual blessings or internal acts of service but extends to the wider society and even to the work of policymakers, the work of society and leaders. It must extend itself beyond the internal walls because the church and the word of God is for everyone, every season and all things,” the President said.
He stressed that the church’s role should extend to recognising and appreciating efforts that uplift communities, whether in education, healthcare, or infrastructure development.
“While the church must speak prophetically when injustice occurs. It must always be quick to recognise and express appreciation for efforts that uplift communities whether it is improved access to education, healthcare initiatives, infrastructure development, social safety nets or support to the vulnerable,” he said.
The President supported the argument that the church should express gratitude for those who work for the well-being of others.
He explained that men and women who represent various religious organisations and entities, as well as the role of the church, must recognise their significance in this world that is at recess.
Minister of Public Works Bishop Juan Edghill, local Christian leaders, and their foreign counterparts were also in attendance. (DPI)
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