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World Harmony Day at the UN Highlights the Culture of Peace
an article by Anne Creter, Global Movement for the Culture of Peace
United for a Culture of Peace Through Interfaith
Harmony was the theme of this year’s uplifting
second annual World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW)
celebration. “Culture of peace” echoed throughout
the program from a symphony of diverse voices --
heads of state, leaders of different faith
traditions, NGO’s and performing artists, young
and old all come together. Amid profound
speeches interspersed with enchanting music,
poignant were the invocations of the faith leaders
that crescendoed into a spectacular grand-finale
World Peace Prayer Society flag ceremony.
click on photo to enlarge
The gathering was united for a culture of peace in
proclaiming that interfaith harmony IS an
essential building block for a culture of peace.
In fact, the first sentence of the WIHW Resolution
(A/RES/65/5) cites the UN Declaration and
Programme of Action on a Culture of Peace
(A/RES/53/243) among relevant prior UN
Resolutions. Its #1 action item “reaffirms that
mutual understanding and interreligious dialogue
constitute important dimensions of a culture of
peace.”
Its second action “proclaims the first week in
February every year the World Interfaith Harmony
Week between all religions, faiths and beliefs.”
It’s third action “encourages all States to
support, on a voluntary basis, spread of the
message of interfaith harmony and good will in the
world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and
other places of worship during that week based on
love of God and love of one’s neighbour or love of
the good … each according to their own religious
traditions or convictions.” The Week seeks to
unify persons of goodwill -- with or without faith
-- in humanity’s common commandment to love. How
fitting this unique, heartfelt happening should
take place on 14 February, Saint Valentine’s Day -
- the feast day of love. What more powerful
global act of love for peace could there be on the
planet that day? An evolutionary milestone (some
might say miracle) occurred there this year too.
For it was the first time interfaith prayers were
ever collectively vocalized within those hallowed
General Assembly walls -- a potent gesture of
hope!
Religion ought to be a major force facilitating
world peace. Sadly history has shown its misuse
has done quite the opposite. Recognizing the moral
imperatives of all religions, convictions and
beliefs that call for peace, tolerance and mutual
understanding, it is clear the remedy must come
from them. That is why this UN observance is so
important for cultivating a culture of peace. The
WIHW seeks to turn the tide by coordinating all
interfaith group efforts with one focused theme,
at one specific time annually, to increase their
concerted momentum to transcend destructive
forces.
The final action of the Resolution requests that
the Secretary General keep the General Assembly
informed of its implementation. Your active
participation observing the WIHW (wherever you are
and whatever your beliefs) will help fulfill that
worthy intention.
For event details, visit the website: http:/
/worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com/ .
Watch the entire program on UN WebTV, including
statements from Mr. Jan Eliasson, UN Deputy
Secretary General and Mr. Vuk Jeremic, General
Assembly President http://webtv.un.org/searc
h?term=interfaith+harmony.
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DISCUSSION
Question(s) related to this article:
How can different faiths work together for understanding and harmony?,
* * * * *
Latest reader comment:
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