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World Interfaith Harmony Week Observed in Russia
Written by Dmitry Samko, chairman, UPF-Moscow
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Moscow, Russia—Spiritual leaders and community activists attended an international conference on the occasion of World Interfaith Harmony Week.
"Dialogue of Traditions—Spiritual Harmony of Future Civilization" was held on February 2, 2021, at Moscow’s World Trade Center.
The landmark event was organized by the Amicability international diplomatic club, in partnership with the Universal Peace Federation and the Millennium international business club.
Opening the conference, Dr. Sergei Dvoryanov, the president of Amicability and an Ambassador for Peace, stressed that Russia, as a unique civilization, is fulfilling the great spiritual mission of spiritualizing humankind. Unconditional, universal love was praised by outstanding Russian philosophers, but primarily by Orthodox saints.
In his speech, Dmitry Samko, chairman of UPF-Moscow, spoke about the new date in the United Nations calendar, International Day of Human Fraternity, which will be observed on February 4. He stressed that such meetings, in which representatives of different countries and religions gather together, once again prove that in turbulent times, public diplomats, peacemakers, and Ambassadors for Peace can offer a creative and constructive agenda.
Mr. Samko called on everyone to practice digital synergy and cooperation, in order to contribute to positive trends in social networks and new media, among other things. He announced that Universal Peace Federation made a practical proposal to support the #Human Brotherhood flash mob, which is being held within the framework of World Interfaith Harmony Week.
Artur Khachatryan, the chairman of the Armenians’ Union in Kamchatka Territory, emphasized: “Historically, it so happened that at all times the Russian and Armenian peoples were close. The friendship of the two fraternal peoples has gone through many difficulties and trials. Russians and Armenians are united by a common faith and common spiritual Christian values.”
Mr. Khachatryan said that educating youth in the spirit of service—with respect for elders, respect for the achievements of great figures of the fatherland, and respect for native history—is today one of the most important tasks of the Russian state and other nations.
Archimandrite Petros Yesayan, vicar of the archbishop of the Armenian Catholic Church, spoke highly of World Interfaith Harmony Week. He emphasized the high-level culture of the meeting, in which everyone was ready to listen to each other. This is how walls and barriers are destroyed, he said, and this is what is now lacking in society.
A specially invited guest of the conference from the United States, Mahatma Sri Prem Prayojan, an Ambassador for Peace, presented a systematic report titled “Dialogue of Traditions Is the Basis for Spiritual Harmony: Russia as a Global Peacemaker.” Sri Prem Prayojan emphasized the important role of the national leader Vladimir Putin in “creating the conditions for spiritual dialogue and understanding the role of the state in supporting true values.” The honorary speaker also quoted the most important extracts from the speech of the Russian president at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
At the end of the conference, Ambassador for Peace certificates were awarded in a solemn atmosphere by UPF-Moscow Chairman Dmitry Samko together with H.E. Oleg Firer, the ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary of Grenada to Russia, and H.E. Roy D. Bissundoyal, a representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Mauritius in Russia.
The recipients of Ambassador for Peace certificates were well-known cultural and public figures: Sergei Afanasyev, president of the State Fund for Development of the North-West; Olga Afanasyeva, author of the UN program Women's Cosmic Message; artist Anastasia Barzhan; and international public activist Artur Khachatryan, who was awarded this honorary title for strengthening Russian-Armenian friendship.
Mahatma Sri Prem Prayojan Prabhu was presented with an honorary public Russian award on behalf of the Gold Star world peacemaker charitable alliance—with the inscription "Peacemaker”—for his contribution to strengthening the dialogue of traditions and cultures, popularizing the ideas of peace and interfaith harmony.
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