Religious practices by dignitaries and followers in Vietnam wereconducted normally in 2010 in line with laws and with help from theauthorities at all levels.

This statement was made by theGovernment’s Committee for Religious Affairs at a conference evaluatingState management over religious affairs in 2010 and launching works for2011, in Hanoi on Feb. 25.

The religious situation was basically stable, the conference chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan was told.

Nhanspoke highly of State management over religious affairs in 2010,affirming that the stable and right-on-track religious work contributedimportantly to promoting economic development and social stability.

NguyenThanh Xuan, Vice Head of the Government’s Committee for ReligiousAffairs, said major events organised by various religions had positiveeffects on the people’s spiritual life as well as on the local andforeign public.

According to him, training courses were provided for more than 18,700 dignitaries and clergymen in 2010.

State-authorisedagencies granted certificates of registration to Cao Dai Vietnam (BinhDuc), the representative board of the Brahman community in the centralprovince of Binh Thuan, and the provisionary council of Cham Brahmandignitaries.

As many as 1,160 people were ordained and over 1,600 others were appointed as dignitaries and clergymen.

Up to 506 places of worship were newly built while 558 others were upgraded.

Thepopularisation of the law on belief and religion to dignitaries,believers and officials in charge of religious affairs were carried outwell, according to the official.

Many religious organisations,dignitaries and followers organised humanitarian activities andparticipated in charitable events in their localities.

Theyraised thousands of billions of VND for poor families, those whorendered services to the revolution, orphans and homeless elderly.

The religious organisations and individuals were helped to boost their external ties.

In the year, 240 dignitaries and clergymen went abroad for training courses and other related activities.

For2011, the Committee for Religious Affairs will focus on graspingthoroughly the 11th Party Congress’s resolution on religious affairs andimplementing instructions of the Government, the Prime Minister and theMinister of Home Affairs.

It will look to fight the abuse ofreligion and human rights in the information front and encouragedignitaries and others to counter those who misuse the freedom ofreligions and belief to establish opposite factions in religions and sowdivisions among dignitaries and believers./.