Amman, Jordan - The Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought in Jordan announced on March 18 their selection of the three most notable World Interfaith Harmony Week programs. The prizewinning events took place in Nigeria, the Philippines, and Malaysia. For reports of events by country, click here.
The following announcement was posted on www.worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com:
Judges received 64 applications for the prize from the 363 events held in total. They were highly appreciative of all the efforts of all those who held events and applied for the prize. They wish they could reward all, but could not, and are consoled the fact that good deeds are their own reward so that everyone who held an event—whether they applied for the prize or not—is a true winner.
In judging, the judges were mindful particularly of those who had the courage to hold events in areas marked by recent interfaith tension or conflicts. They took into consideration efforts made despite scantiness of resources, but also took into consideration the excellence of efforts. They further took into consideration whether events were consistent with the text of the U.N. Resolution establishing the Prize. Accordingly, judges did not reward movements towards religious syncretism but rather rewarded events which respected each religion as it is. Finally, in accordance with the terms of the Prize, judges rewarded events specifically celebrating the World Interfaith Harmony Week rather than good interfaith work in general.
Accordingly, the judges are delighted to announce:
First Prize
Interfaith Mediation Centre, Kaduna: $25,000 Grand Prize and a gold medal will be awarded to the Interfaith Mediation Centre, Kaduna for their event ‘Imam and Pastor from Vengeance to Forgiveness’ in Nigeria. Pictured are the founders, Imam Muhammad Ashafa and Pastor James Wuye. [1st report under Nigeria]
Second Prize
Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy: $15,000 Prize and a silver medal will be awarded to the Philippine Center for Islam and Democracy for their event ‘A Common Word Towards A Common Peace’ in the Philippines. Pictured is the president, Ms Amina Rasul. [15th report under Philippines]
Third Prize]
World Interfaith Harmony Week Malaysia: $5,000 prize and a bronze medal will be awarded to the Department of National Unity and Integration for their event ‘World Interfaith Harmony Week Malaysia 2013’ in Malaysia. [3rd report under Malaysia]
The prize-giving ceremony will take place on April 25, 2013 at the site of the Baptism of Jesus Christ by the River Jordan in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
The following two runners-up will also be sent runner-up certificates of ‘honorable mention’:
- First Honorable Mention: A certificate will be awarded to the Silsilah Forum Davao for their events ‘Student Leaders’ Confluence for Harmony and Signing of Covenant Ceremony’ in the Philippines
- Second Honorable Mention: A certificate will be awarded to the Tro i Harmoni (Faiths in Harmony) for their event ‘Faith, Hope and Love’ in Denmark
All Praise belongs to God Alone.
The Judges
- H.R.H. Princess Areej Ghazi
- H.B. Patriarch Theophilus III – Patriarch of the Holy City, Palestine and Jordan
- H.E. Bishop Munib Yunan – Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and President of the World Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches
- Father Nabil Haddad – Founder and Executive Director of the Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Centre
- Dr. Minwer Al-Mheid – Director of the Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought
- Mr. Nabil Al-Sahib – First Deputy of the Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought
- Mr. Aftab Ahmed – Office Director of the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre