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Hindu Representation at G20 Religion Forum, Bali, Indonesia

31 Oct 2022 to 6 Nov 2022

The ‘R20’ summit brought together religious leadership from the G20 member states

The summit was hosted on the beautiful island of Bali, Indonesia

More than 400 delegates from all over the world had convened at the summit

The summit brought together some of the world’s top religious leaders, representatives and scholars

In his opening address, His Excellency Sheikh Mohammad bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa (Secretary General, Muslim World League) spoke about religion functioning as a source of solutions for the challenges of the 21st century

His Excellency Sheikh Miftah Al-Akhyar (General President, Indonesian Ulema Council) shared some insightful opening remarks

“The world urgently needs this summit to hear the influential voice of religion.” – HE Sheikh Miftah Al-Akhyar

Mahamahopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami was joined by two other delegates from India, Swami Govinda Dev Giri Maharaj and Swami Mitranand Saraswati

His Excellency Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia, addressed the opening session of the R20 summit by welcoming the world’s faith leaders and religious scholars

Kyai Haji Yahya Cholil Staquf (General Chairman, Nahdlatul Ulama) outlined the vision and objectives of R20

Mahamahopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami had been invited by the organisers as one of the key speakers of the inaugural R20 summit

Bhadreshdas Swami began by invoking His Holiness Pramukh Swami Maharaj’s message of religious harmony from the United Nations Millennium World Peace Summit in New York City

Bhadreshdas Swami then cited the motto of Indonesia, “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika,” reiterating, “Yes, we are different. Yet, we are one.”

Bhadreshdas Swami drew upon the universal timeless wisdom of the Vedas, Upanishads, Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, Bhagwan Swaminarayan and the great schools of Indian thought

“Interfaith harmony does not require that one relinquish or relax one’s faith, but rather, that we grow stronger within it.” – Bhadreshdas Swami

Bhadreshdas Swami concluded with the driving message of His Holiness Mahant Swami Maharaj: “Let us reach out to extend the circle of global harmony.”

Dr Achmad Ubaedillah, Secretary of the R20 Indonesia Organizing Committee, honoured Bhadreshdas Swami for his address at the summit

The summit in Indonesia concluded with a ceremony handing over the presidency of the R20 to India

Members of the R20 Indonesia Steering Committee and Organizing Committee joined hands with the key delegates from India

Dr Ahmad Suaedy, Chairman of the R20 Indonesia Organizing Committee, presented a special plate of honour to Bhadreshdas Swami and Govinda Dev Giri Maharaj