World Interfaith Harmony Week was proclaimed by the General Assembly on 20 October 2010. In its resolution, the General Assembly, points out that mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue constitute important dimensions of a culture of peace and establishes World Interfaith Harmony Week as a way to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith.
Recognizing the imperative need for dialogue among different faiths and religions to enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among people, the General Assembly encourages all States to support during that week the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship, on a voluntary basis and according to their own religious traditions or convictions.
There has been several events on this occasion such as ‘World Peace through Religious Harmony’ in Nepal, ‘Unity in Diversity’ in Kenya, and university courses in Argentina.
Also there are lots of documents which relate to this prominent concept such as ‘Global Agenda for Dialogue among Civilizations’ on 20 October 2005 and ‘Combating defamation of religions’ on 21 December 2010.
Expressing serious concern at the increase in racist violence and xenophobic ideas in many parts of the world, in political circles, in the sphere of public opinion and in society at large, General assembly Proclaims the first week of February every year the World Interfaith Harmony Week between all religions, faiths and beliefs.
By recognizing that the moral imperatives of all religions, convictions and beliefs call for peace, tolerance and mutual understanding, and that all civilizations celebrate the unity and diversity of humankind and are enriched and have evolved through dialogue with other civilizations and that positive and mutually beneficial interaction among civilizations has continued throughout human history despite impediments arising from intolerance, disputes and wars, the General Assembly encourages all States to celebrate and support this event in their territories.
quoted and edited: Negar Paidar
sources: http://www.un.org/en/events/interfaithharmonyweek/
http://www.un.org/en/events/interfaithharmonyweek/links.shtml
https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N10/512/84/PDF/N1051284.pdf?OpenElement
https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N10/525/98/PDF/N1052598.pdf?OpenElement
photo: link
