MUCF asks Govt not to conclude festival on a Sunday
The Meghalaya United Christian Forum (MUCF) on Tuesday urged the State government to respect the sentiments of lakhs of Christians by reconsidering its decision to conclude the upcoming Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival on a Sunday.
In a statement, MUCF chairman Rev Batkupar Dunai said the Forum believes that every day is a gift from God, but Sunday is a holy day of public worship for churches of various denominations except for certain church groups that worship on a different day.
“With regards to the Cherry Blossom Festival as seen in the news to be concluded on Sunday, the MUCF would heartily appreciate the state Government of Meghalaya to shift the proposed concluding programmes to any other day graciously respecting the sentiments of lakhs of Christians in Meghalaya who honorably consider the sanctity of sacredness of Sunday as the divinely appointed day for the churches to solemnly conduct prayers, worship and fellowship for Christian believers undisturbed by any sort of distractive functions especially the extravagant events,” Dunai said.
The festival is scheduled to commence on November 17 and conclude on November 19, which happens to be a Sunday.
On Monday, the Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders Forum (KJCLF) had said the Forum is not against the festivals organized by the state government.
“However, it (Forum) wishes to emphasise that Sunday is maintained as a sacred and holy day by Christians and Churches,” KJCLF secretary Rev Dr EH Kharkongor said in a statement.
Kharkongor said that the Forum wishes that the festivals be celebrated with peace and community participation and that it is free from any disruptions or disturbances to promote peace and harmony in the State.
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