Attending in the meeting also included Minister of the Home Affair Lê Vĩnh Tân, MOHA’s Deputy Ministers and heads of departments and functional divisions under the MOHA.

Regarding religious affairs, Minister, Chairman of the Government’s Office Mai Tiến Dũng conveyed the Prime Minister’s high appreciation for efforts made by the state management on religious affairs sector in order to create favorable conditions for religious individuals and organizations to practice their faith and prevent activities abusing religion and causing negative impacts to social order.

Minister Mai Tiến Dũng also conveyed the Prime Minister’s comments on five issues drawing great interests from the press in recent months that also include the state management on festivals, belief and religions.

During the meeting, Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Vũ Chiến Thắng briefly reported the religious phenomenon called “Almighty God Church”. According to GCRA Chairman Vũ Chiến Thắng, the phenomenon “Almighty God Church” has surfaced since April, 2018, although it has been present in our country since 2001. And, as of May 20, 2018, the religious phenomena called “Almighty God Church” was believed to be active in about 37 provinces and cities across the country with the participation of about 4,500 people and over 100 gathering places.

So far, the GCRA has implemented a number of measures and carried out necessary works in order to ensure social stability and disperse unlawful gatherings.

Chairman Vũ Chiến Thắng also informed about the “holy water” which has been used in gatherings of the Almighty God Church covered by the press that made many people worried because of possible hallucinogenic and addictive ingredients. According to GCRA Chairman, the “holy water” was examined by the police and specialized agencies, and it has been concluded that there is no problem with this holy water.

DT