On Oct. 20, 2010, the General Assembly of the United Nations unanimously adopted a resolution designating the first week in February to be the annual World Interfaith Harmony Week. Larry Ulrich, Church of the Brethren representative on the Interfaith Relations Commission of the National Council of Churches, is encouraging congregations to observe the week scheduled for Feb. 1-7, 2013.
In its action, the UN General Assembly called for interfaith dialogue for mutual understanding and cooperative engagement in caring for those suffering and denied justice in local communities. World Interfaith Harmony Week is a time when clergy, congregations, theological schools, and communities can
— learn about the faith and beliefs of followers of other religious traditions,
— remember interfaith cooperation in prayers and messages, and
— share in compassionate care for persons suffering and marginalized.
Ulrich said, “The World Interfaith Harmony Week is an opportunity to remember that we are called to be the best believers we can be within our Christian faith tradition, and encourage followers in other religions to be the best believers they can be. Creating or allowing religious prejudice or violence against believers in other religions violates Christ’s teaching to love our neighbors as ourselves. Loving believers in other faith heritages isn’t easy, but it’s what God’s Living Spirit calls us to.”
For more information go to http://worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com