Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee: Handle religious issues well at the grassroots level

Nghe An province currently has two legal religions operating: Catholicism and Buddhism. Of these, Catholicism has about 280,000 followers and Buddhism has about 85,000 followers.

In 2017, authorities at all levels and functional sectors focused on disseminating and popularizing the Party's policies and the State's laws on religious affairs, especially addressing the legitimate religious needs of the people, including land related to religion. In addition, all levels and sectors actively mobilized religious dignitaries, officials, and followers to practice their religion in accordance with the law, contributing to the socio-economic development of the province.

The provincial delegation congratulated the Vinh Diocese Bishop's Palace on the occasion of Christmas 2017. Photo: Thanh Chung

Besides many achievements, in the past 2 years, Nghe An still had 41 cases of land law violations not stemming from religion; 64 cases stemming from religious needs.

At the conference, many opinions were expressed that: The State needs to be strict and resolute in strictly handling those who take advantage of religion, land and environmental issues to cause social instability and oppose the regime.

Concluding the conference, comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee highly appreciated the efforts of all levels and sectors and the results achieved in religious work in 2017 and pointed out the shortcomings and limitations that need to be overcome.

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong requested that all levels and sectors need to properly resolve religious issues right at the grassroots level. Photo: Thanh Chung.

Comrade Nguyen Xuan Duong requested: In 2018 and the following years, all sectors and levels of government must effectively implement the Law on Belief and Religion; effectively implement the plans, projects and religious work programs of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, focusing on advising and promptly resolving emerging religious issues; effectively prevent violations of the law and resolutely combat acts and activities that take advantage of religion to sabotage the regime.

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee emphasized: All levels and sectors need to strengthen the political system at the grassroots level in religious areas. Pay special attention to handling and resolving religious issues at the grassroots level. Thereby, promoting the strength of national and religious solidarity in the cause of national construction as well as meeting the freedom and needs of religious activities of the people within the framework of the law.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Duong awarded Certificates of Merit to 10 collectives and 15 individuals with outstanding achievements in religious work in 2017. Photo: Thanh Chung

At the conference, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee awarded Certificates of Merit to 10 collectives and 15 individuals with achievements in religious work in 2017; 14 individuals were awarded the Commemorative Medal "For the cause of State management of religion" by the Ministry of Home Affairs; The Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs decided to award certificates of merit to 3 individuals./.