Mark Your Calendars: World Interfaith Harmony Week Begins on February 2nd

Each year, during the first week of February, interfaith activists celebrate World Interfaith Harmony Week, calling our attention to the ideals of mutual respect, understanding, and individuality of the world’s different religions. Since its small beginnings, recognition of the week has grown to attract top leaders world wide, including heads of state and the UN Secretary General himself. 

Since 2011, the international community pays a little more attention to interfaith relations during February’s first week. Thanks to the November 23rd 2010 passing of United Nations General Assembly Resolution 65/5, the first week of February is formally known as World Interfaith Harmony Week. As written in the UN resolution, the week’s purpose lies in spreading “the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill…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.”

The Golden Rule (UN Photo/ Milton Grant)

The World Interfaith Harmony Week stemmed from the work of The Common Word initiative. Beginning in 2007, the initiative “called for Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in a dialogued based on two common fundamental religious Commandments; Love of God, and Love of the neighbor.” Through the World Interfaith Harmony Week, the initiative expands to includes the entire human race, faith or no faith.

How can you get involved? Click here to find an event in your area during the World Interfaith Harmony week.

Read more about all things World Interfaith Harmony Week here

Read more about the World Interfaith Harmony Week’s history here 

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