2012 World Interfaith Harmony Week Celebration
Date: Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Time: 10am – 1pm (ET)
Location: The United Nations General Assembly Hall
World Interfaith Harmony Week at the UN (PDF)
The World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan. Just under a month later, on October 20, 2010, it was unanimously adopted by the UN and henceforth the first week of February will be observed as a World Interfaith Harmony Week.
The World Interfaith Harmony Week is based on the pioneering work of The Common Word initiative. This initiative, which started in 2007, called for Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in a dialogue based on two common fundamental religious Commandments; Love of God, and Love of the Neighbor, without nevertheless compromising any of their own religious tenets. The Two commandments are at the heart of the three Monotheistic religions and therefore provide the most solid theological ground possible.
The World Interfaith Harmony Week extends the Two Commandments by adding ‘Love of the Good, and Love of the Neighbor’. This formula includes all people of goodwill. It includes those of other faiths, and those with no faith.
“Cultivating inner peace is a critical first step for the world peace. The Buddha taught that if the mind is trained, there is inner peace and joy and if the mind is undisciplined, there is suffering.”
Ven. Chung Ohun Lee, Ph.D.