In Santarém, Pará, a conversation circle was organized to address the pressing issue of religious intolerance in Brazil, which is legally recognized as a crime. This event brought together community members, students, and professors to promote respect for diverse beliefs and preserve the history of African matrix religions, underscoring the importance of acknowledging and supporting religious plurality. The theme of the meeting was 'The Terreiro Teaches: Between the Sacred and the Right to Believe', emphasizing the need for dialogue and understanding among different faith groups.

The gathering, held at the Umbanda São Pedro terreiro, created a space for reflection on religious freedom, ancestry, and the challenges practitioners face amidst prejudice. Luciana Guedes, a researcher who developed her master's thesis on the subject, explained that her work was influenced by her experiences within the terreiro and conversations with elders of the religion. This approach aimed to bridge personal insight with academic research, highlighting that the study was not simply an academic exercise but rather a deeply personal journey within the community.

By fostering conversations about religious intolerance, the initiative aimed to educate participants and raise awareness about the historical and contemporary issues affecting practitioners of African religions. This dialogue is not only significant for the communities involved but also serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing struggles for religious rights and recognition in Brazil, where diverse belief systems coexist, yet sensitive issues of bias and discrimination persist.