HCMCity (VNA) –Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 19 held a meeting with 55 representativesfrom religious organisations nationwide to listen to religious followers’ opinionsand proposals, aiming to better implement the law on belief and religions.

According to the Government Committee for Religious Affairs,Vietnamhas recognised and granted licenses to 39 religious organisations which groups over24 million followers, or 27 percent of the country’s population, nearly 53,000dignitaries, and 28,000 worshiping facilities.

Religious dignitaries at the event agreed that despite theirdifferences in doctrines and orientation, all religions shared the motto of closelyattaching to the nation.

The religious organisations have contributed to preserve andpromote cultural and humanity values that have positive influence to thesociety. They have acted as important channels contributing to realising Partyand State’s policies and law.

Representatives from many religious organisations lauded theLaw on Belief and Religions, while proposing that the Government direct centralagencies and sectors to issue guiding documents as soon as possible.

Speaking at the event, PM Phuc clarified that throughout thehistory of national construction and defence, the Party and State have maintainedthe consistent viewpoint of respecting and ensuring people’s right to beliefand religious freedom, as well as fostering religious solidarity to build astrong national unity bloc to serve national development and defence.

The Government leader noted that over the past years, religiouslaw and policies have been seriously implemented, ensuring the observation ofthe right to belief and religious freedom of people in line with theConstitution and law, especially after the adoption of the Law on Belief andReligion.

The PM held that outstanding models of religion in engagingin social affairs, including charity classes, health care services and sponsorships,have shown the responsibility of religions to society as well as theirpractical contributions to national construction and defence.

At the same time, he pointed to a number of challenges and difficultiesfacing religious activities, including limitations in economic and environmentconditions as well as shortcomings in law and policies, and incitements fromhostage forces.

He asked the religious dignitaries to promote their role to setexample for the implementation of religious policies and law, while encouragingfollowers to respond to socio-economic development movements.

They should coordinate closely with State agencies to dealwith the difficulties on a constructive spirit and respect to the law, notallowing outside forces to take advantage of religious freedom to sow divisionand harming the country’s national development and international integration,he asked.

The PM also directed ministries, sectors and localities tocontinue focus on improving the spiritual and material conditions for people,especially religious followers, while promoting cultural and moral values ofbeliefs and religions in the society, thus enriching the country’s culture.

Optimising religious resources will also contribute tocreate synergy strength for the national construction and development, headded.-VNA