Celebrating World Interfaith Harmony Week

First proposed by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan at the UN General Assembly in September 2010, World Interfaith Harmony Week (February 1 – 7) is an opportunity for all interfaith groups and other groups of goodwill to come together and show the world what a force for good they are. The common values held by all interfaith groups far outweigh the differences they have, and the Week allows all groups to be aware of each other and the work they are doing.

Events are planned and held across the globe, uniting Catholics with Lutherans, Scientologists, Sikhs, Muslims, Jews, and other groups in a multifaith community. The gatherings include worship services, lectures, picnics, musical performances, meditative walks, and youth festivals.

Here in Australia, the festivities during World Interfaith Harmony Week have included art exhibitions, communal picnics and games days, multilingual story time in local libraries, joint scripture studies, and indigenous ceremonial walks.

The purpose is threefold, to demonstrate the strength to be found in unity; to promote the work being done; and to deliver peace and harmony to interfaith and goodwill communities.

Catholic involvement in the Week has focused on deeper and more respectful relations with Christians of other communities and the importance of seeing God in one another. Friendships among different faiths, despite differences in practices, serve to remind us all that what unites us is more than what divides us and in the words of Pope Francis, we must “build a future together or there will be no future.”

This is a week to explore and discover more about other faiths and their special days including:

• Nirvana Day 15 February – the Buddhist celebration of the day Buddha achieved Paranirvana (complete enlightenment) upon the death of his physical body
• Lailat al Miraj 18 February – observance of Prophet Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to heaven and return the same night (also known as Night of Journey or al Isra)
• Eid ul Fitr 22 April – celebrated by Muslims around the world, marking the end of Ramadan – the Islamic holy month of fasting
• Shavuot 26-27 May – also known as Feast of Weeks, this Jewish celebration commemorates the anniversary of the day God gave the Torah and Commandments to the nation of Israel assembled at Mount Sinai
• Eid Al Adha 29 June – the Feast of Sacrifice in the Islam faith, commemorating Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of submission to God’s command
• Yom Kippur 25 September - the holiest day of the year for the Jewish people, also known as the Day of Atonement and a day of repentance and forgiveness
• Diwali 12 November – one of the most celebrated Hindu festivals, the Festival of Lights is the victory of good over evil

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