Pillar - Interfaith

Dialogue & Alliance - A Journal of the Universal Peace Federation
Vol. 26, No. 2, Fall 2012

Dialogue & Alliance promotes conversation and understanding among people of faith for the sake of peace.

Amman, Jordan - The Al-Etihad Al-Watani Party and the Universal Peace Federation organized an international conference [December 20-22] to explain the significance of the Amman Interfaith Message and its role in perpetuating the noble values of religions and coexistence between them.

Amman, Jordan -It was no coincidence that UPF chose to hold a conference in Amman on "The Significance of the Amman Interfaith Message." At a time when radical changes are sweeping the Arab world and efforts for peace are more needed than ever, UPF wanted to hold a conference that focused on the positive role of religion in bringing people together in peace. As the nation that produced both a major Islamic call for interfaith cooperation and the proposal that launched the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week, Jordan seemed the obvious choice for the December 20-22 gathering.

Jerusalem, Israel - The second convening of the Jerusalem Forum for Interfaith and Cooperation among Religions took place in a magnificent location overlooking the old city of Jerusalem. A group of 13 scholars and religious leaders representing Judaism, Christianity, and Islam gathered on December 20 for studying sacred texts and conducting a candid discussion.

Become inspired with faith and love for others. Love all the creation because of the Creator. Offer a hand to those in trouble, and be concerned about everyone. So long as you remain in yourself, you are a particle. But if you get united with everybody, you are a mine, an ocean.

Interreligious cooperation among the religious leaders and devotees is important to build and maintain peace and happiness. The Buddha said: “There is no happiness without peace,” and “There is no peace without tolerance and forgiveness.” Fanaticism and closed-mindedness must be eliminated by educating people, preaching, and other joint programs. Our Youth Pledge in 1928 said: “One State, One Nation, One Language – Indonesia.” It has never been formulated as “One Religion.”

Stuttgart, Germany - Christian, Jewish, and Muslim holidays were honored at the December meeting of the House of Religions in Stuttgart. Hubert Arnoldi, Chairman of UPF-Stuttgart and the House of Religions in Stuttgart, greeted the 35 guests and invited them to join in coffee and various Christmas snacks.

London, UK -  A splendid event in the British House of Lords launched a Youth Interfaith Council on November 28. The 56 attendees included two members of the House of Lords, youth activists, and some people who were attending their first interfaith gathering.

Milan, Italy - The first Interreligious Lunch organized by the Interfaith Youth Council of Italy took place at the office of Universal Peace Federation on November 27. The event brought together believers of three different traditions and eight countries.

Vienna, Austria - In advance of the February 2013 UN Alliance of Civilizations Youth Forum in Vienna, the UPF-Austria Youth Committee organized a forum on religious pluralism on November 20. 

Panaji, Goa, India - "Communal harmony and the co-existence of all the great religions of the world are the building blocks of our civilization," read a message from the President of India's office addressed to participants in UPF-India's National Conference on Interreligious Peace and Harmony on November 5 in Goa. 

Jerusalem, Israel - A group of ten academic and religious leaders convened at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem on October 31 to discuss issues related to interfaith dialogue and cooperation among religions.

Songkhla, Thailand – Separatist violence has occurred for decades in the three southernmost provinces of Thailand. UPF-Thailand took a step forward to peace in the region with an International Leadership Conference on the topic “Good Governance and Interreligious Cooperation for Lasting Peace” October 5–7 in Songkhla province, the gateway to the three southernmost provinces.

Milan, Italy - Six Italian youth gathered for the first working meeting of the Interreligious Youth Council in Milan on September 9. Since most of the participants (one Muslim, two Christians, and three Unificationists) had never met before, they dedicated the first hour to getting to know each other.

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - An interfaith group of four Europeans arrived in Ethiopia on June 29 for a series of meetings with religious leaders and youth groups.