Portuguese City Hosts Week of Harmony & Interfaith Dialogue
Odivelas, Portugal – The fourth annual Week of Harmony and Interreligious Dialogue took place in Odivelas from October 12 to 17, 2026. Promoted by the Odivelas Municipal Council, this initiative was dedicated to fostering mutual understanding and cooperation among various religious and cultural communities. UPF-Portugal collaborates annually with the municipality on this event.
Over the course of six days, the program brought people together to connect and share experiences, reaffirming that respect for religious diversity is a fundamental pillar for building a harmonious and peaceful society.
UPF-Portugal participated once again, helping to promote a vision of peace rooted in interfaith dialogue and the recognition of shared principles, while reiterating that despite diverse spiritual traditions, all humanity constitutes one family under the same divine sphere. The activities aimed to reinforce the understanding that religious and cultural differences should not divide people, but should instead be seen as opportunities for learning, mutual enrichment and cooperation.
Throughout the week, participants visited various communities and places of worship to gain first-hand insight into different religious traditions, rituals and spiritual perspectives. Representing UPF, young cadets from the Universal Peace Academy visited the Hindu Temple and the Odivelas Mosque. These visits provided valuable opportunities for the young people to engage with different religious traditions, fostering mutual understanding and inspiring them to actively work toward a more tolerant, peaceful world.
As part of this initiative, the Peace Embassy in Barcarena hosted an 18-member delegation from the Odivelas Municipal Council on October 15. The reception was co-hosted by UPF and the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification. Both organizations welcomed the delegation, with opening remarks delivered by the UPF-Portugal president, Mr. Sergio Vieira and FFWPU national pastor, Ms. Paula Berto, followed by a visit to the community's prayer room. This meeting reinforced the shared dedication to creating spaces for dialogue and reflection on the importance of peace.
The week’s highlight was the Interreligious Festival on October 17, which featured a cultural diversity exhibition, music and dance performances and shared refreshments. The event brought together representatives of the participating communities. The program featured a variety of artistic performances that showcased the cultural richness of the contributors, demonstrating the power of art in promoting diversity and harmony.
A key highlight was the contribution from UPF-Portugal, where the young participants delivered an energetic and enthusiastic rendition of “Every Praise.” Their performance was warmly received by the audience, creating an atmosphere of joy and fellowship. The festival concluded with the now-traditional joint prayer for peace, offering another powerful moment of unity in pursuit of a common purpose.
The celebration also included a special moment of official recognition. The Odivelas Municipal Council was acclaimed for its ongoing and essential work in facilitating closer ties among religious communities and encouraging relationships built on respect, understanding and fraternity. UPF-Portugal honored Councilor Ms. Susana Santos and Department Director Dr. Cláudia Tinoca with the well-deserved title of Ambassadors for Peace. Each recipient was presented with a copy of “Mother of Peace,” the autobiography of UPF co-founder Dr. Hak Ja Han. This tribute demonstrated UPF’s appreciation of the institution’s – and its representatives’ – commitment to promoting peace, dialogue and cooperation between different communities.
The fourth Week of Harmony and Interreligious Dialogue reasserted the importance of initiatives that bring together people from diverse religious and cultural traditions. It also highlighted the need for institutions, organizations and communities to join forces in building a harmonious society and a world characterized by greater interdependence, mutual prosperity and universally shared values.
By Érica Brito, Board Secretary, UPF-Portugal October 17, 2026
