Under the authorization of the Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs (GCRA) Vũ Hoài Bắc hosted on November 18 a reception for the visiting delegation from the international Jehovah's Witnesses Association led by Director of the Information Office of the World Headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses in New York city Paul Stuart Gillies.
During the visit, while conveying the Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs’ warm greetings to the Jehovah's Witnesses delegation, Chairman Vũ Hoài Bắc shared with the guests religious life and the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies on belief and religion.
He stated that Vietnam is a multi-ethnic country and the Vietnamese State has recognized and granted operation licenses to 43 organizations belonging 16 religions with more than 27 million followers, or about 27% of the population. All religions are equal before the law. Vietnam has consistently created favorable conditions for religious organizations to conduct their religious activities in accordance with the law, and has encouraged them to accompany the nation and contribute to socio-economic development of the country, he added.
Speaking with the hosts, Director Paul Stuart Gillies thanked the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs, the GCRA for the warm welcome and members of the delegation had exchanges on the Jehovah's Witnesses association in the world, religious practices of the Jehovah's Witnesses association in Vietnam.
Chairman Vũ Hoài Bắc expressed hope that Director Paul Stuart Gillies and members of the delegation would have good experiences in Vietnam, and continue further fostering mutual understanding and cooperation, as well as supporting Jehovah’s Witnesses association in Vietnam practicing its religious activities in accordance with the fine national cultural traditions and Vietnamese laws.
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