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During his meeting with Pope Francis, Panakkad Syed Sadiqali Shihab Thangal presented him with the book ‘Islamic Art and Architecture: An Introduction’
Thangal visited the Vatican City to participate in the conference, organised by Sivagiri Mutt, where Pope Francis delivered a blessing speech. (News18 Malayalam)
Panakkad Syed Sadiqali Shihab Thangal, a community leader and religious scholar from Kerala, recently travelled to Rome to attend the World Interfaith Conference and met Pope Francis. Thangal visited the Vatican City to participate in the conference, organised by Sivagiri Mutt, where Pope Francis delivered a blessing speech.
Thangal was invited as India’s representative to the significant event. During his meeting with the Pope, Thangal presented him with the book ‘Islamic Art and Architecture: An Introduction’.
During the conference, Pope Francis highlighted the enduring relevance of Indian philosopher Sree Narayana Guru’s message, emphasising that all human beings belong to one family. He noted that Sree Narayana Guru dedicated his life to uplifting society and promoting equality.
The Pope stressed that the Guru’s teachings, advocating for a world without segregation or discrimination, are particularly pertinent in an era marked by rising intolerance and division. These reflections were a key part of the Pope’s blessing speech for the Sarva-Religion Conference.
Sadiqali Shihab Thangal departed for Rome on November 27 to attend the World Interfaith Conference. Reflecting on the event, he described it as a rare moment of mutual love and brotherhood. In a world increasingly divided by ideological differences, he remarked, every gathering that conveys the message of reciprocity and coexistence holds sacred significance.
