An interdenominational prayer gathering for world peace brought together around 150 young Christians in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, on May 16.
The event was held in Maghbazar, a neighborhood in central Dhaka, under the theme “The Holy Spirit and Fire.” Priests, religious sisters, youth leaders, and lay faithful from different churches, Christian organizations, hostels, and congregations participated in the program.
The gathering was jointly organized by Asa AG Church and Shalom, a small Christian initiative supported by priests of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) and inspired by the spirituality of the Taizé Community.
The program included Scripture readings, devotional songs, reflections, and prayers centered on peace, spiritual renewal, and Christian unity.
Pastor Asha M. Kain welcomed participants and reflected on the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles. Speakers throughout the gathering emphasized Christian teachings on salvation, spiritual healing, and the role of faith in helping young people facing discouragement and uncertainty.
Two young participants shared personal testimonies about their journeys of faith.
Jiniya Joanna Palma said she had little interest in religion during her childhood and rarely attended church. However, an unexpected visit to a church changed her outlook.
“I deeply felt God’s presence within me,” she said. “From that moment, I became involved with the Jesus Youth movement.”
She said the fellowship helped her rebuild her faith and change the direction of her life.
Another participant, Setu Mahaly, spoke about the impact of his father’s stroke in 2016, which led him to reassess his life and spirituality.
“I began to pray deeply and reflect on my relationship with God,” he said. “That experience helped me leave destructive habits and live more faithfully.”
Reverend Jason Adhikari explained that the phrase “Holy Spirit and Fire” symbolizes purification, spiritual awakening, and the transforming power of faith.
Fr. Sai, PIME, coordinator of Shalom, said the initiative has spent two decades promoting friendship and understanding through ecumenical and interreligious dialogue in Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority South Asian nation.
He said Shalom organizes annual prayer gatherings in Catholic, Protestant, and Anglican churches, as well as interreligious visits to Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Ahmadiyya, and Bahá’í communities in Dhaka.
“The idea is simple,” he said. “To build good relationships with all.”
The event concluded with prayers for peace and a message encouraging young people to continue promoting harmony and mutual understanding across religious communities.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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