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The World Interfaith
Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly
on September 23, 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan.
Just under a month later, on October 20, 2010, it was
unanimously adopted by the UN and henceforth the first week
of February will be observed as a World Interfaith Harmony
Week.
The World Interfaith
Harmony Week is based on the pioneering work of The
Common Word initiative. This initiative, which started
in 2007, called for Muslim and Christian leaders to engage
in a dialogue based on two common fundamental religious
Commandments; Love of God, and Love of the Neighbour,
without nevertheless compromising any of their own religious
tenets. The Two commandments are at the heart of the three
Monotheistic religions and therefore provide the most solid
theological ground possible.
The World Interfaith
Harmony Week extends the Two Commandments by adding ‘Love of
the Good, and Love of the Neighbour’. This formula includes
all people of goodwill. It includes those of other faiths,
and those with no faith.
The World Interfaith
Harmony Weekprovides a platform—one week in a year—when all
interfaith groups and other groups of goodwill can show the
world what a powerful movement they are. The thousands of
events organized by these groups often go unnoticed not only
by the general public, but also by other groups themselves.
This week will allow for these groups to become aware of
each other and strengthen the movement by building ties and
avoiding duplicating each others’ efforts.
It is hoped that
this initiative will provide a focal point from which all
people of goodwill can recognize that the common values they
hold far outweigh the differences they have, and thus
provide a strong dosage of peace and harmony to their
communities.
World Interfaith
Harmony Week Resolution UNGA A/65/PV.34
The General Assembly, Recalling
its resolutions 53/243 of 13 September 1999 on the
declaration and programme of action relating to a culture of
peace, 57/6 of 4 November 2002 concerning the promotion of a
culture of peace and non-violence, 58/128 of 19 December
2003 on the promotion of religious and cultural
understanding, harmony and cooperation, 60/4 of 20 October
2005 on a global agenda for dialogue among civilizations,
64/14 of 10 November 2009 on the Alliance of Civilizations,
64/81 of 7 December 2009 on the promotion of interreligious
and intercultural dialogue, understanding and cooperation
for peace and 64/164 of 18 December 2009 on the elimination
of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on
religion or belief,
Recognizing the
imperative need for dialogue among different faiths and
religions in enhancing mutual understanding, harmony and
cooperation among people,
Recalling with
appreciation various global, regional and subregional
initiatives on mutual understanding and interfaith harmony
including the Tripartite Forum on Interfaith Cooperation for
Peace, and the initiative “A Common Word”,
Recognizing that the
moral imperatives of all religions, convictions and beliefs
call for peace, tolerance and mutual understanding,
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Reaffirms that
mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue
constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace;
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Proclaims the first week
of February of every year the World Interfaith Harmony
Week between all religions, faiths and beliefs;
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Encourages all States to
support, on a voluntary basis, the spread of the message
of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s
churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places
of worship during that week, based on love of
God and love of one’s neighbour or on love of the good
and love of one’s neighbour, each according to their own
religious traditions or convictions;
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Requests
the Secretary-General to keep the General Assembly
informed of the implementation of the present
resolution.
The UN Resolution
The UN
General Assembly unanimously passed the resolution to
recognize the World Interfaith Harmony Week annually
during the first week of February
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