Interfaith Harmony Week 2011

“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.”

UN General Assembly Resolution20 October 2010

•The Universal Peace Federation held a major Interfaith Conference and celebration in Seoul, South Korea.

•UPF encouraged its chapters to hold events in celebration of the UN Week of Interfaith Harmony.

•UPF co-sponsored an event at the United Nations in partnership with the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations.

UPF’s Contributions

The program promoted interfaith cooperation in order to manifest to a divided world the way to enduring peace.

INTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

Seoul, Korea: Interfaith Assembly

Discussions of peaceful transitions to democracy emphasized the responsibilities of religious and spiritual leaders to help defuse long-standing tensions between different ethnic and minority groups.

Interfaith leaders preparing to speak


“All human beings are brothers and sisters. The Quran tells us we are here to love one another.” - Dr. Abdul Wahab Zahid Haq, Grand Mufti of Seoul, Korea

A welcome from the Grand Mufti of Seoul


“I truly believe that with vision and leadership, within ten years, we can transform the entire world to end poverty, disease, family breakdown, violence and war.” – Ida Odinga, Ida Odinga Trust, Kenya

Unity in diversityINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

“A covenant of faith is quite different. It is made by people who share dreams, aspirations, and ideals. They don't need a common enemy, because they have a common hope.” - Edwin Shuker, Trustee, Sephardic Voices, United Kingdom

Building a covenant of faithINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

“When we are lacking in spiritual discipline and wisdom, peace is not possible. Peace arises when we are in a right relationship with God, when our mind and body are united.” – Rev. Hyung Jin Moon, International Chairman, UPF

Address from the UPF ChairmanINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

“God calls upon us leaders - especially religious leaders - in hope that we will stand against the injustices and evils of the world, and bestow His true love upon the world.” - Rev. Dr. Sun Myung Moon, Founder, Universal Peace Federation

Seoul, Korea: Interfaith AssemblyINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

BarbadosCanadaCote d’IvoireGermanyIndiaIndonesiaIsraelItaly

JapanKazakhstanKoreaMalaysiaMoldovaNepalRussiaSlovakia

Solomon IslandsSt. LuciaSwitzerlandThailandTaiwanUSA

Selected International Reports

“The true value of life is not found in riches or fame, but in the simple finer things in life: love, peace, harmony, and happiness.” - Rev. Peter Oscar Phillips, President, Barbados National Peace Council

Bridgetown, BarbadosINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

“Harmony requires that we deliberately alter our behavior and our attitudes so that we can hear our brothers and sisters in God.” - Rev. Samuel King-Kabu, St. Ansgar Lutheran Church

Montreal, CanadaINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

The National Capital Peace Council met to listen to a Catholic priest discuss ways that religious people can address social evils.

Ottawa, CanadaINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

In the midst of turmoil following last November's presidential elections, UPF-Cote d'Ivoire held an interreligious rally at a mosque in the colonial capital.

Grand Bassam, Cote d’IvoireINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

Religious leaders joined hands to pray for peace at a Christian church in the political capital of the nation.

Yamoussoukro, Cote d’IvoireINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

Munich, Germany

Representatives of various religions spoke about their views about God, reconciliation, and peace building.


Stuttgart, Germany

Representatives of several religions discussed their religion’s contributions to peace and then lit candles for peace.


New Delhi, India

Young volunteers from various faiths worked together to clean up a park.


Jakarta, Indonesia

“Interfaith dialogue and cooperation must be reflected in our words and deeds.” - Dr. H. Abdul Mu’ti, Secretary of the Central Board of Muhammadiyah


People from Israel’s diverse faith communities enjoy a traditional Druze meal honoring Israeli government workers who promote better interfaith relations.

Daliet El Carmel, IsraelINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

Representatives of various NGOs talked about ways religious people can encourage young leaders and work together to help end hunger.

Pesaro, ItalyINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

Tokyo, Japan

Shinto, Hindu, Buddhist, and Christian leaders offered prayers and read from their sacred writings.


Participants from various religious backgrounds considered the qualities of exemplary peacemakers.

Almaty, KazakhstanINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

Muslim, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Sikh, and Baha'i leaders participated in a program of prayers, music, and exchanges of ideas.

Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

Participants in a round-table discussion on “Interfaith cooperation as the important instrument of establishing the culture of peace in Moldova”

Chisinau, MoldovaINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

Leaders from seven faith traditions offered their perspectives on interfaith harmony at a gathering at the Peace Embassy.

Kathmandu, NepalINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

A Festival of Spiritual Music promoted better understanding and appreciation of various religious traditions.

Kondopoga, RussiaINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

“Show the positive sides of your religion through action and personal example,” an NGO representative told a youth round-table forum.

Moscow, RussiaINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

Participants in a “Play Football Make Peace” tournament between teams from four religious traditions congratulated each other for playing well.

Moscow, RussiaINTERFAITHHARMONY WEEK 2011

Novosibirsk, Russia

An interreligious gathering promoted “love of God and love of your neighbor as the foundation of world peace.”


Yekaterinburg, Russia

Representatives of various religious groups offered prayers for peace and harmony according to their tradition.


Nitra, Slovakia

The Old Catholic Church in Nitra invited other groups to join them in a prayer and worship service.


Honiara, Solomon IslandsThe Minister of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace, along with several faith leaders, addressed a forum promoting interreligious understanding.


Anse-la-Raye, St. Lucia

Youth leaders of several denominations discussed ways of addressing the challenges of cooperation across religious barriers.


Bienne, Switzerland

Representatives of Switzerland’s diversity of religions and cultures participated in an interfaith water ceremony, pouring water into a common container.


Taipei, TaiwanBuddhist and Christian scholars spoke theoretically about interfaith cooperation, and NGO representatives described best practices for promoting understanding among people of different religions.


Bangkok, Thailand

Representatives of Thailand’s faith communities assembled for a discussion about a proposal to establish a national interfaith council.


Washington, DC, USA

Diplomats joined civic and religious leaders at an interfaith luncheon during which H.E. Dr. Hussein Hassouna (right), Ambassador of the League of Arab States to the US, answered questions about recent changes in his native Egypt.


Interfaith Harmony Week 2011

Spiritual

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