HCM CITY — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc yesterday held a meeting with 55 representatives of religious organisations nationwide to hear their opinions and proposals in order to better implement the Law on Belief and Religions.

According to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, Việt Nam has recognised and granted licenses to 39 religious organisations with 28,000 worshiping facilities and over 24 million followers, or 27 per cent of the country’s population.

Religious dignitaries at the event agreed that despite their differences in doctrines and orientation, all religions share a close attachment to the nation and religious organisations have contributed to preserving and promoting cultural and humane values that have positive influence on society.

They have also acted as important channels contributing to realising Party and State’s policies and law, the representatives agreed. Many praised the Law on Belief and Religions, while proposing that the Government direct central agencies and sectors to issue guiding documents as soon as possible.

Speaking at the event, PM Phúc clarified that throughout the history of national construction and defence, the Party and State have maintained the consistent viewpoint of respecting and ensuring people’s right to belief and religious freedom, as well as fostering religious solidarity to build a strong national unity bloc to serve national development and defence.

The PM held that the engagement of religions in social affairs, including charity classes, health care services and sponsorships, have shown their responsibility to society as well as their practical contributions to national construction and defence.

At the same time, he pointed to a number of challenges and difficulties facing religious activities, in regard to socio-economic conditions, living environment, mechanisms, policy and law, and awareness difference, or even there still exist incitements from hostage forces.

He asked the religious dignitaries to set examples for the implementation of religious policies and law, while encouraging followers to respond to socio-economic development movements.

He urged them to coordinate closely with State agencies to deal with the difficulties on a constructive spirit and respect for the law, not allowing outside forces to take advantage of religious freedom to sow division and harm the country’s national development and international integration.

The PM also directed ministries, sectors and localities to continue improving the spiritual and material conditions for people, especially religious followers, while promoting the cultural and moral value of beliefs and religions in society as enriching the country’s culture. — VNS