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 with the motto of "Love of God and Love of the Neighbor" / "Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbor." 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.
- Written by: UPF International
Welcome to the UPF resource page for UN World Interfaith Harmony Week.
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- Written by: UPF-International
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."
- Written by: UPF International
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UPF Statement
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- Written by: Anja Brina, secretary general, UPF-Düsseldorf
Düsseldorf, Germany—A presentation was given about experiences during the Bosnian War, “The Power of Forgiveness.”
- Written by: Robert Bentele, secretary general, UPF-Munich
Munich, Germany—UPF-Germany commemorated the UN's World Interfaith Harmony Week by holding an interfaith prayer breakfast.
- Written by: Hubert Arnoldi, secretary general, UPF-Stuttgart
Stuttgart, Germany—Reincarnation and karma were discussion topics of the UPF celebration.
- Written by: Elena Knyazeva, UPF-Voronezh
Voronezh, Russia—The fourth in a series of online interviews focused on a Russian Orthodox clergyman.
- Written by: Miguel Werner, President, UPF-Argentina
Buenos Aires, Argentina—A fraternal meeting was held by IAPD and Ladies in Interreligious Dialogue (DDI) during UN World Interfaith Harmony Week 2023.
- Written by: Claus Dubisz, secretary general, UPF-Frankfurt
Frankfurt, Germany—What kind of spiritual environment best promotes human development?
- Written by: Steinar Murud, UPF-Norway
Oslo, Norway—In cooperation with Norway’s largest mosque, UPF organized the program “Prayer for Peace” in honor of UN World Interfaith Harmony Week.
- Written by: Dmitry Samko, chairman, UPF-Moscow
Moscow, Russia—Dr. Alexander Shapiro-Suliman, secretary general of the Alliance of the Peoples of the World, was the guest.
- Written by: David and Patricia Earle, UPF-Birmingham
Birmingham, United Kingdom—“Speaking Truth to Power” described constructive engagements with decision makers and the role of faith to provide a safe space and environment for honest conversations.
- Written by: UPF-Japan
Taicheng, Taiwan—The IAPD-Japan and UPF-Taiwan held a symposium on religious persecution and reconciliation and development in observance of UN World Interfaith Harmony Week.
- Written by: Carlo Zonato, UPF-Italy
Rome, Italy—Eight speakers and an audience of 58 joined the online discussion to commemorate UN World Interfaith Harmony Week and UN International Day of Human Fraternity.
- Written by: Maria Nazarova, president, UPF-Russia
Yekaterinburg, Russia—IAPD-Russia Celebrated UN World Interfaith Harmony Week by interviewing the mufti of the Spiritual Board of Muslims of the Irkutsk Region (Baikal Muftiate).
- Written by: Andrei Eșanu, secretary general, UPF-Moldova
Chisinau, Moldova—UPF held an intercultural festival highlighting seven cultures that have a presence in Moldova.
- Written by: Elena Knyazeva, UPF-Voronezh
Voronezh, Russia—UPF-Russia commemorated UN World Interfaith Harmony Week with a visit to a synagogue.
- Written by: Dmitry Samko, chairman, UPF-Moscow
Moscow, Russia—UPF-Russia held the first of a series of online interviews with religious leaders.
- Written by: Fabrice Djimadoum
Lusaka, Zambia—IAPD and UPF joined the rest of the world to commemorate UN World Interfaith Harmony Week.
- Written by: Peter Haider, president, UPF-Austria
Vienna, Austria—UPF co-sponsored a World Interfaith Harmony Week event at UN headquarters in Vienna.
- Written by: Dr. Trevor Edward Jones, President, UPF-Peru
Lima, Peru—Distinguished religious leaders gathered to commemorate UN World Interfaith Harmony Week.
- Written by: Heiner Handschin and Chantal Chételat Komagata, UPF-EUME
Geneva, Switzerland—UPF co-sponsored a World Interfaith Harmony Week event with the World Council of Churches.
- Written by: UPF-Ecuador
Quito, Ecuador—A celebration of World Interfaith Harmony Week was held at the Bahá’í National Headquarters in Quito.
- Written by: UPF-New Zealand
Auckland, New Zealand—In observance of UN World Interfaith Harmony Week, UPF and the IAPD hosted an event on the theme, “Creating Harmony in a World in Crisis.”