The meeting was attended by representatives from units under the Ministry. From Gia Lai province, the delegation was led by Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Phan Đỗ Minh Thanh Anh, along with representatives from the provincial People's Committee’s Ofice, the provincial Public Security, the Department of Health, and nearly 30 exemplary dignitaries, sub-dignitaries, and monastics representing Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, Cao Dai, Hoa Hao Buddhist, and Minh Su Dao organizations in the locality.

Overview of the meeting

At the meeting, Deputy Director of the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Phan Đỗ Minh Thanh Anh gave an overview of belief and religious practices, as well as the outcomes of state management in ethnic and religious affairs throughout the province over recent years.  

Deputy Director of Gia Lai Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Phan Đỗ Minh Thanh Anh speaks at the meeting

Speaking during the event, religious delegates expressed their elation at the daily progress of the nation and their profound appreciation for the heartfelt attention extended by the Ministry's leadership.

The religious delegates affirmed that the continually improving religious life of ethnic groups in Gia Lai province serves as clear evidence of the consistent policy on belief and religion maintained by the Party and State of Viet Nam. The representatives also pledged to further promote the spirit of "harmonizing good religious and secular life", encourage followers to strictly abide by state laws, strengthen the great national unity bloc across all religions and ethnic communities, and proactively refute distorted narratives and exploitation of religion aimed at fracturing national solidarity.

Deputy Minister Nguyễn Hải Trung delivers his remarks at the meeting

Addressing the reception, Deputy Minister Nguyễn Hải Trung conveyed his warm greetings and wished good health, peace, and tranquility to all dignitaries, sub-dignitaries, monastics, and religious followers in the province.

The Deputy Minister affirmed that the Party and State consistently uphold the policy of respecting and ensuring the right of citizens to freedom of belief and religion, always regarding religious followers as an integral flesh-and-blood component of the great national unity bloc. The Deputy Minister commended the enduring contributions and dedication of the dignitaries and followers in the province to national construction and defense, as well as to safeguarding social order and security in the strategically vital Central Highlands region.

Looking ahead, Deputy Minister Nguyễn Hải Trung requested that the Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs of Gia Lai province continue elevating the effectiveness and efficiency of state administration, actively listening to and promptly addressing legitimate and lawful religious needs of the people in compliance with the law. He also expressed hope that dignitaries, sub-dignitaries, and monastics will continue leveraging their prestige and core role to guide lay followers in preserving solidarity, actively engaging in labor and production, and joining hands to build a prosperous, civilized province.

Most Venerable Thích Quảng Dũng, Vice Chairman of VBS’s Executive Committee in Gia Lai province speaks at the meeting

Priest Nguyễn Ngọc Bình, Chairman of Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics in the province cum Head of Ngoc Thanh Parish speaks at the meeting

Pastor Nguyễn Ngọc Bình, Secretary of Representative Committee of Evangelical Church of Viet Nam (Southern) in the province cum Pastor in charge of Khu Sau Evangelical Chapter speaks at the meeting

Head of the Charitable Agency of Cau Kho Tam Quan Cao Dai Church Ngọc Nam Thanh speaks at the meeting