World Interfaith Harmony Week 2012

The United Nations has designated World Interfaith Harmony Week to be celebrated February 1-7 of each year. It was first launched in February 2011 to promote harmony among people of different faiths at a time when interreligious conflict is claiming lives and livelihoods all over the world.

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.

Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad bin Talal, promoter of the 2007 document 'Common Word'. You might want to also check out 'The Amman Message' too, which was crafted by Prince Ghazi. He is a Jordanian prince, a professor of philosophy, and a direct descendant of the Prophet Muhammad. He is the son of Prince Muhammad bin Talal of Jordan, and the grandson of King Talal of Jordan.[1]

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 Week provides 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.

  "And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." 

 Rev. 13: 15 - See Rev. 13

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World Interfaith Harmony Week: Working Toward One Religion

Related Information
Jesuit Involvement with the Common Word Initiative