Peace meet in Munich

Religious leaders from several parts of the world representing various traditions participated in an international conference on "Bound to Live Together — Religions and Cultures in Dialogue” along with some heads of state. Dr Homi Dhalla had been invited as the sole Zoroastrian representative to the conference, held in Munich, Germany from September 11-13, 2011, as per an e-mail received from him.
On the afternoon of the first day an outdoor commemoration ceremony was held at the Marstallplatz for those who perished in the 9/11 tragedy in New York, attended by Christian Wulff, President of the Federal Republic of Germany. President Wulff, Alpha Conde, President of the Republic of Guinea and Danilo Turk, President of the Republic of Slovenia spoke at the opening ceremony. Angela Merkel, chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany was keynote speaker at the plenary session on the following day followed by brief remarks by Cardinal Reinhard Marx, archbishop of Munich, as per the e-mail.

Archbishop of Bombay Cardinal Oswald Gracias and Dr Homi Dhalla (5th and 6th from l) participating in a religious conference in Munich, Germany

Participating in the panel focusing on "Religions in Asia: The Challenge of Modernity” Dhalla presented a paper entitled "How religions in Asia are working towards social transformation” at a session chaired by Cardinal Oswald Gracias, archbishop of Bombay. On September 13, delegates were taken to the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial site where a brief prayer meeting was held.
Representatives of various religious traditions were provided separate locations to recite prayers and perform simple ceremonies. Dhalla played a monajat, spoke briefly on the Zoroastrian religion and demonstrated the kusti ritual. He also recited prayers on peace from the Zoroastrian scriptures, providing a simple translation, the e-mail concludes.
A peace procession headed for the Marienplatz where thousands had gathered for the closing ceremony at which Dhalla was asked to light the Lamp of Peace on behalf of the global Zoroastrian community.