VietNamNet Bridge – Religious dignitaries have urged the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) to work harder in the role as a bridge linking the Party, State and people with religious followers.

VFF President Nguyen Thien Nhan informed the religious dignitaries that the draft law will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration this October – Photo: VNN

Representatives from religious organisations made the call at a meeting yesterday (Sept 4) with officials from the VFF and State agencies in Ha Noi.

The dignitaries hailed the meeting's being held, the second of its kind this year, as a meaningful initiative of VFF's Central Committee.

They said more regular meetings between the VFF and religious dignitaries should be convened for the VFF to learn about the religious community's aspirations, while updating the community on the latest Party and State policies, as well as VFF's action plans.

Participants voiced their feedback of the fifth draft on the Law on Belief and Religion, noting that the draft introduces new points and more specific stipulations, compared to the existing Ordinance on Belief and Religion.

The State of Viet Nam recognises 41 organisations representing 14 religions, including Buddhism, Catholicism, Caodaism, Hoa Hao Buddhism, Vietnamese Pure Land Buddhism Association, Protestantism, Islamism, the Tu An Hieu Nghia sect (Four Debts of Gratitude), Baha'i sect, Buu Son Ky Huong, Minh Su sect, Minh Ly sect under the Three-Religion Temple, Brahmanism and the Mac Mon sect.

The 14 religions have, in total, 22.1 million followers, 80,000 dignitaries, 25,900 places of worship, 102 training facilities and 761 charitable establishments.

Today, an estimated 95 per cent of the Vietnamese population practices a religion or belief.

VFF President Nguyen Thien Nhan informed the religious dignitaries that the draft law will be submitted to the National Assembly for consideration this October, and the VFF will report the dignitaries' recommendations to the National Assembly.

Source: VNS