Jointly organized by the Centre for Macau Studies (CMS) of the University of Macau (UM), together with the Buddhist Association of Macau, Macao Taoist Association, The Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Macau, Macao Catholic Culture Association, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Missionary Area of Macau, and the Macau Islamic Cultural Exchange Promotion Association, the “Silent Radiance of Unity – Macao in Harmony” Religious Art Exhibition and Multicultural Salon opened on 5 March at the UM Cultural Building (E34). The exhibition runs until 31 March and showcases the ways in which religious art reflects Macao’s multicultural character while fostering interfaith and intercultural exchange on campus.
The exhibition, themed “Silent Radiance of Unity – Macao in Harmony,” features artworks from Catholicism, Buddhism, Taoism, Christianity, the Bahá’í Faith, Islam, and—joining for the first time—Hinduism and Judaism. Through visual expression, the works explore universal values such as compassion, peace, and the meaning of life, while contributions from local artists and young creators further extend the dialogue between religion and contemporary art.
In her opening remarks, Prof. Lam Iok Fong, Director of the CMS, noted that since 2021 Macao’s interfaith collaboration has continued to grow—from five religions, to six, and now eight—symbolizing “a table that keeps getting larger.” She emphasized that this expansion represents deeper trust and Macao’s longstanding spirit of inclusiveness. Speaking on behalf of the religious communities, Prof. Kong Siew Huat, Chair of the Spiritual Assembly of the Bahá’ís of Macao, highlighted that religious art conveys universal values such as unity, harmony, and compassion. He further emphasized that religion and science complement one another, and together contribute to the holistic advancement of society.
The programme combines an exhibition with four dialogue-based Multicultural Salon sessions moderated by Dr. Chong Chon Fai. The themes span Buddhism and Taoism, Catholicism and Islam, the Bahá’í Faith and Anglicanism, as well as Hinduism and Judaism. Rather than traditional lectures, these sessions are intended as genuine intercultural encounters, reflecting UM’s commitment to openness, dialogue, and intellectual inquiry.
Guests attending the ceremony included: Prof. Lam Iok Fong (UM CMS), Master Xin Hui (Buddhist Association of Macau), Rev. Fan Sik Keung (Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Missionary Area of Macau), Prof. Kong Siew Huat (Bahá’í Faith), Mr. Ip Ka Kei (Diocesan Historical Archives and Cultural Heritage Office), Ms. Sou Ka Ian (Macao Taoist Youth Association), and Prof. Ma Ming (City University of Macau), representing the Islamic community.
