This age of globalization needs enlightened people in each faith who can examine their sacred writings and traditions and identify the aspects that can benefit all humanity as well as those that preserve each religion's identity. The UN designated the first week of February every year as World Interfaith Harmony Week with the motto of "Love of God and Love of the Neighbor" / "Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbor." UPF and its network of Ambassadors for Peace celebrate World Interfaith Harmony Week each year, calling on people of faith to honor the Divine indwelling in a way that encourages understanding, respect, and cooperation among people of all faiths for the well-being of our communities and peace in the world.

Read reports of UPF events in 2013.

 
Download images of World Interfaith Harmony Week 2013.
Winners of the Royal Aal al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought’s 2013 World Interfaith Harmony Week prize: Nigeria, Philippines and Malaysia

First observance of World Interfaith Harmony week at the UN General Assembly Hall, February 7, 2012
World Interfaith Harmony Week was commemorated at the UN for the first time on February 7, 2012. The President of the 66th Session of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, said in announcing the event in the General Assembly Hall: "In our conflict-ridden world, I believe it is important to recognize the historical good done by people of all faiths in many of the areas of the work of the United Nations as well as the current successful partnerships in various parts of the world between UN agencies and religious groups particularly in meeting the humanitarian needs of disaster-stricken people." [Read more]

UPF observances of World Interfaith Harmony Week: 2011, 2012, 2013

World Interfaith Harmony Week observances may include:

• Prayers from various religions and readings from sacred scriptures (English, Russian)
• Interfaith ceremonies such as lighting candles for peace and a water of life ceremony
•  A documentary film about interfaith peacebuilding, followed by a group discussion
• A forum
• Music, dancing, and other expressions of various faiths
• Working together to meet a need in the community

For more background information about World Interfaith Harmony Week, click here.
For additional suggestions for individual and group activities, click here.