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World Interfaith Harmony Week
This age of globalization needs enlightened people in each faith who can examine their sacred writings and traditions and identify the aspects that can benefit all humanity as well as those that preserve each religion's identity. The UN designated the first week of February every year as World Interfaith Harmony Week. UPF calls on people of faith to honor the Divine indwelling in a way that encourages understanding, respect, and cooperation among people of all faiths for the well-being of our communities and peace in the world.
UPF's Statement on Interreligious Dialogue
Suggestions for programs:
- Invite representatives of different faiths to offer prayers (See sample readings from various faiths in English | French | Russian | Spanish).
- Organize a ceremony with representatives of different faiths each lighting a candle or pouring water into a common bowl.
- Invite performers from various traditions to offer music or dances.
- Host a forum.
- Study sacred texts (choose a theme from World Scripture: A Comparative Anthology of Sacred Texts).
- Show and discuss a video (sample documentaries about interreligious understanding and reconciliation).
- Work together to meet a community need (see examples of Religious Youth Service projects).
Resources
The UN Webpage on the World Interfaith Harmony Week
Backgrounder about World Interfaith Harmony Week
Statement by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
World Interfaith Harmony Week observance at the UN General Assembly Hall, February 7, 2012
World Interfaith Harmony Week was commemorated at the UN for the first time on February 7, 2012. The President of the 66th Session of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, said in announcing the event in the General Assembly Hall: "In our conflict-ridden world, I believe it is important to recognize the historical good done by people of all faiths in many of the areas of the work of the United Nations as well as the current successful partnerships in various parts of the world between UN agencies and religious groups particularly in meeting the humanitarian needs of disaster-stricken people." [Read more]
Photos of UPF-related observances of World Interfaith Harmony Week were included in the video shown at the Feb. 12, 2014 World Interfaith Harmony Week program at the UN Trusteeship Council Chamber in New York, with the theme "A Vital Key for Peace and Development."
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