Your Majesty,

Prince Ghazi,
May I congratulate you on this bold initiative to which I wish all success. Building on the noble and generous initiative of A Common Word, itself a historic milestone in interfaith (especially Muslim-Christian) relations, it creates a space in which men and women of goodwill of all faiths and none can meet in common affirmation of love of God (or the Good) and of neighbour, an affirmation that is at the core of our humanity. In acknowledging this shared commitment (which need exclude no one) we can build a culture of harmony, peace and mutual respect in a world too often marked by fear, mistrust and hostility. I hope the Week will be widely adopted in schools and universities around the world. It is has the potential to be a powerful force for good.

Best regards,
The Earl of St Andrews

Country
UK

Organization
Golden Web Foundation

Title / Position
Chairman

Hello,
I think what you is wonderful to create a common harmony and understanding through faith. I congratulate HRH Prince Ghazi of Jordan for his staunch and immense commitment in this cause.We need more leaders like him to bring forth cooperation among the people of the world through faith.

Best regards,
Michael Giacalone

Country
Italy

Organization
Italain Cultural Institute

Title / Position
Public Affairs

Naushard Cader Family Foundation

Country
Sri Lanka

Organization
Naushard Cader Family Foundation

Title / Position
CEO/Founder

Country
UK

Organization
Three Faiths Forum

Title / Position
Director

See Letter of Support

Watford Interfaith Association is pleased to support UN World Interfaith Harmony Week in 2011 and we hope that it will be well supported internationally.

Country
United Kingdom

Organization
Watford Interfaith Association

Title / Position
Secretary

From al-Quran al-Hakim:

“Allah forbids you not with regard to those who neither fight against you for your faith nor drive you out of your homes from dealing kindly and justly with them, for Allah loves those who are just.” [Sûrah al-Mumtahanah: 9-10]

As a Muslim, I believe in the Quran and I am happy to be a part of this initiative.

May we learn to treat each other with respect and dignity.

Country
Malaysia

Organization
International Islamic University

Title / Position
Lecturer

Salam, Shalom, Shanti, Peace!

Please find attached our support and gratitude for the announcement of the Interfaith Harmony Week.

Thanks

Country
Canada

Organization
Canadian Council of Imams

Title / Position
Secretary

See Letter of Support

Your Majesty King Abdullah

Your Royal Highness Prince Ghazi

On behalf of the national charity for imams, rabbis and Muslim and Jewish scholars, Banu Ibrahim – Bnai Avraham – Children of Abraham, I offer sincere greetings of peace – shalom, salam.

My fellow senior rabbis and senior imams from a wide range of traditions join together with me to congratulate you on this most blessed and important initiative for the sake of peace between all believers in the One God of Abraham (may peace be upon him).

We strive together as Muslim and Jewish scholars and religious leaders better to understand our holy books, and their teaching of peace. In this, your most important initiative of World Interfaith Harmony Week is a major contribution, and we offer it our total support at every level.

We have held major events in the British Parliament during the national interfaith week in the UK in November 2010, and are holding a series of major events around mosques and synagogues, as well as churches. We supported and participated in the International Gathering of European Muslim and Jewish Leaders in Brussels in December 2010.

May the One God preserve and support you in all your endeavours.

Most sincerely

Rabbi Reuben Livingstone
Chairman, Children of Abraham

http://www.childrenofabraham.org.uk/
Children of Abraham (Registered Charity: 1133235)

Country
United Kingdom

Organization
Bnai Avraham – Banu Ibrahim – Children of Abraham (Registered Charity: 1133235)

Title / Position
Chairman/Rabbi

Wow. This is amazing! The college chaplain and I, sometime during the last few months, decided to organize an interfaith week. It was this week. We had no idea of world interfaith harmony week. It is truly amazing how interconnected we all are.

Country
United States

Organization
Hamilton College Meditation Club

Title / Position
Student

Si dà finalmente rislato alla religione ed alla riligiosità come valore e non come un qualcosa da espellare dalla società del diritto

Country
Italy

Organization
Seconda Università di Napoli

Title / Position
professore universitario

See Attachment

3.2.2011

UN WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK

HIS MAJESTY KING ABDULLAH II

KING OF THE HASHEMITE KINGDOM OF JORDAN

On behalf the Member of RELIGIONS FOR PEACE . I would like to express my thanks to HIS MAJESTY KING For introduced a Resolution to the UNITED NATIONS. I WILL Offer PRAYERS AND FASTING This week.

IN HIS SERVICE,

D.SAMUEL

Country
India

Organization
RELIGIONS FOR PEACE

Title / Position
MEMBER

Country
Cyprus

Organization
Church of Cyprus

Title / Position
Archbishop of Cyprus

See Letter of Support

Hindus welcome “World Interfaith Harmony Week”

Hindus have applauded the launching of “World Interfaith Harmony Week” by United Nations (UN).

Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that “it was step in the right direction”.

Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, stressed that despite our seriously different traditions, we should learn to live together in mutual trust and peace. Dialogue would bring us mutual enrichment and help us overcome prejudices passed on to us by previous generations.

Rajan Zed pointed out that religion was a complex component of our lives and its broader and more inclusive understanding was needed.

The UN General Assembly in November resolved that the first week of February be devoted to spreading “the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship… based on love of God and love of one’s neighbour or on love of the good and love of one’s neighbour, each according to their own religious traditions or convictions”, according to a UN release.

Country
United States

Organization
Universal Society of Hinduism

Title / Position
President

Greetings of peace,

The Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE), a program of the American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA), affirms the importance of strong and collaborative relationships among people of all faith traditions and extends its endorsement of the United Nations’ World Interfaith Harmony Week.

As a social justice, grassroots movement led by Muslim women, WISE recognizes the importance of religion in the daily lives of individuals, as well as the unique role it plays in shaping attitudes and behaviors at the local, regional, and national level. In today’s world, in which many societies consist of people of various faiths and traditions, interfaith respect and understanding is essential for achieving sustained peace and social development.

Misunderstanding and distrust between religious groups, as well as the use of religion to mask underlying causes of conflict, has led to bitter cycles of aggression and hostility. WISE condemns all forms and manifestations of violence, including those between and among religious groups. WISE calls for (re)interpretations of Islamic scripture that are egalitarian and respectful of other faiths.

Just as religion can be used to divide societies, it can also unite people for the common good. WISE and its global network of women has benefited from collaborations with people of various faiths. WISE will continue to engage with its sisters and brothers from other religious traditions in order to further promote the human rights of women, men and children around the world.

ASMA aims to elevate the discourse on Islam and foster environments in which Muslims thrive through interfaith collaboration, youth and women’s empowerment, and arts and cultural exchange. The mission of WISE is to build a cohesive, global movement of Muslim women that will reclaim women’s rights in Islam, enabling them to make dignified choices and fully participate in creating just and flourishing societies.

Most respectfully,

Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE) program,
American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA)

Country
United States

Organization
American Society for Muslim Advancement (ASMA)

Title / Position
Executive Director

my message is that the world should come together and know that we have one God, we should be teaching in the faith that states of loving one another caring for one another and so on.lets come together.so tha peace will learn in our world Thank you.

Country
Nigeria

Organization
Care Ministry OutReach

Title / Position
President

February 2, 2011

H.M. King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Your Majesty King Abdullah:

On behalf of the Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding, it is my great pleasure to support World Interfaith Harmony Week. We acknowledge the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan and the UN General Assembly in enacting this resolution and creating a world-wide opportunity for collective action in pursuit of making the Golden Rule a lived reality.

The need for interfaith respect and cooperation is urgent, and Tanenbaum is dedicated to providing practical tools to help combat religious hatred wherever it occurs. That’s why we create resources for educators, managers, health care providers, and peacemaking practitioners designed to contribute to the spirit and the practice of interfaith harmony worldwide.

Tanenbaum also created a set of Clergy Speaking Points to help guide religious leaders and others as they talk to their congregations in mosques, churches, temples, and other places of worship. It is our hope that the conversations which emerge will encourage people of all faiths, or of no particular faith, to make harmony across the lines of belief an important part of their own lives.

Our organization’s namesake, the late Rabbi Marc H. Tanenbaum, was a pioneer of interreligious dialogue and would no doubt enthusiastically endorse World Interfaith Harmony Week. We are pleased to carry on his legacy and to join in this movement in cooperation with all who seek a world of mutual respect.

In Peace and Friendship,

Joyce S. Dubensky
Executive Vice President & CEO

www.tanenbaum.org

Country
United States

Organization
Tanenbaum Center for Interreligious Understanding

Title / Position
Executive Vice President & CEO

PDF

Prego per la pace nel mondo e penso che chi ha fede possa fare molto perchè la pace sia un bene di cui godere tutti. ”Questo è il mio comandamento: che vi amiate gli uni gli altri come io vi ho amati” Gv.15,12

Country
Italy

Organization
Famiglia salesiana

Title / Position
suora cattolica salesiana FMA

It is about the time these initiatives are taken. In the town of Malmo in Sweden we have had interfaith dialogue since 1993, and 2009 we started the Forum for interfaith cooperation. Several activities have been launched since then. This spring we are invited to organise up to three information meetings at the town library. I hope the Interfaith Harmony Week will really set a new agenda for many peoples of this conflict ridden planet. It is about the time.

Dharmavajra

Country
Sweden

Organization
Yi Gah Chö Dzong in Malmo

Title / Position
Buddhist teacher

Interfaith can surely bring peace and harmony in the world. People around the world should beileve that: ”There is only one Race – The Race of Humanity”
”There is only one religion – The Religion of Love” and ”There is only One God – Who is omnipresent”
Believe in the brotherhood of man and fatherhood of God. Love all, serve all, help ever, hurt never. May there be peace on the world.
-Dr Rakesh Kumar
Chairman
ISHWARCENTER
www.ishwarcenter.org

Country
United States

Organization
ISHWAR USA

Title / Position
Founder & Chairman

Country
The Holy Land

Organization
Council of Religious Institutions of the Holy Land

Title / Position
Convener

See Letter
letter of support

Your Majesty King Abdullah:
It is a privilege, on behalf of the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) and Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, to offer greetings of peace and the lunar new year to you, to the people of The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and to H.R.H. Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad; and to extend our gratitude for your visionary leadership and my haeartfelt congratulations and support for World Interfaith Harmony Week.

WFB has been the oldest and biggest Buddhist organization in the world and Jogye Order is the representative Buddhist order in Korea. They fully endorse World Interfaith Harmony Week and will take a part of this global movement. This inaugural year will be the beginning of cooperation and goodwill among people of all religions. Thank you for initiating this Week to build a culture of peace and harmony around the world. We appreciate the spirit of humanistic harmony and look forward to joining you and many others around the world in celebrating it.

Most respectfully yours,

Ven. Dr. Jinwol Y. H. Lee
Representative of WFB and Jogye Order to UN related affairs

Country
Korea, South

Organization
World Fellowship of Buddhist

Title / Position
Ven. Dr./ EXCO Member

I support this good initiative, and I wish and pray that all men and women of good will belogning to the different faiths dialoque and work together, to bring about peace and harmony among us and in our world. May the good principles that each religion believe and live be an inpiration and a guiding force so as to create an atmosphere of unity, peace and harmony.

Country
India

Organization
Daughter of Mary Help of Christians

Title / Position
Catholic Nun

See Letter
message of peace 2004

Country
United Kingdom

Organization
Islam Channel and Global Peace & Unity Foundation

Title / Position
Chairman

See Letter
letter of support

The ‘Missing Millennium Development Goal- Ensure Interfaith Collaboration for Peace’initiative strongly supports the leadership of H. M. King Abdullah II and H.R. H. Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad and the UN General Assembly in the establishment of World Interfaith Harmony Week, 1-7 February each year. As an initiative of One Young World (OYW), the premier global forum for the best and brightest young people of leadership caliber, we are delighted to be observing this week with people from all over the world.

The OYW ambassadors in unison strongly believe that some of the Millennium Development Goals may not be possible at all in the countries torn by war and conflict, majority of which are motivated by or excused with religious differences. It is imperative that Interfaith Dialogue becomes key to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals and our common vision of a more just and equitable world where the “Love of God and love of neighbor” or love of the good and love of neighbor” will be at its peak.

This inaugural year for the World Interfaith Harmony week is particularly important for One Young World, as it marks the year when major initiatives of the previous year, 2010, are put to test. This commemoration comes after the Inaugural One Young World Summit, the review of the UN’s Millennium Development Goals and more importantly, it falls in the middle of the United Nation’s International Year of Youth, an initiative that has empowered young people like us to be actively involved in the planning of our future.

Thank you for initiating this Week as a shared focus to build a culture of peace around the world.

Kind Regards,
Ajarat Bada, Founder
‘The Missing Millennium Development Goal- Ensure Interfaith Collaboration for Peace’
One Young World Ambassador (Nigeria)
A One Young World Initiative
www.oneyoungworld.com

Country
Nigeria

Organization
’The Missing Millennium Development Goal: Ensure Interfaith Collaboration for Peace’- A One Young World Ambassador Initiative

Title / Position
One Young World Ambassador (Nigeria)/ Founder

We fully support this worthy initiative and will host an Interfaith Harmony Breakfast on 3 February 2011 in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, bringing together religious leaders of every faith represented in the area. We expect about 30 guests and devote ourselves to promoting love, mutual respect, tolerance and understanding.

Country
Mexico

Organization
International Academy for Interfaith Studies

Title / Position
Director

What a joy and blessing – an evolution in the spiritual life among all peoples is beginning! I will offer prayers and fasting this week.

Country
United States

Organization
Blue Cloud Abbey

Title / Position
Monk

Let all of us make it known that global human spirit is behind the initiative of Interfaith Harmony everywhere. To Sikh communities it is a mandate from their founders.

Country
United States

Organization
Sikhs for Interfaith Engagement

Title / Position
President

A wonderful initiative, much needed to promote the common goal of spirituality shared by all religions as more and more nowadays we find ourselves interacting with peoples of different traditions, different laws and customs in our ordinary daily lives. Traditions are important, they bring people together, they serve to give families and friends happiness through a shared sense of belonging and with interfaith activity we extend that principle to all humanity. We go a step further than observing just our own tradition, we learn to give others space for theirs. Thus more we give to others provided they are progressive and not regressive, humane and not imposing, we can only add to a better world nearer to the Absolute Brahm.
Thank you for inviting me to send a letter of support for this noble activity.

Country
United Kingdom

Organization
Hindu Council UK

Title / Position
Managing Trustee

The interfaith dialogue is an illuminating step forward; it reinforces self-identity and at the same time it gives room for the realization of more tolerance, more profound understanding of the Other, and better coexistence.

Country
United Kingdom

Organization
University of Surrey

Title / Position

GREETINGS FROM THE CORE OF THE SPIRIT TO H.M KING ABDULLAH 11,PRINCE GHAZI BIN MOHAMMED, MR BAN KI MOON, EU LEADERS,MR TONY BLAIR AND ALL OTHER WHO R DOING SUCH KIND OF DIFFICULT ,CRUCIAL EFFORTS ,TO CREATE AWARENESS AMONG DIFFERENT FAITHS ,BELIEVES THRU SEMINARS,DIALOGUES,WORKSHOPS AND CONSTRUCTIVE WORK .
IN PAKISTAN WE R DOING THE SAME JOB.PLS VISIT www.theharmonyintl.com.
warmest regards
AFTAB RAZA KHAN
EDITOR,
www.theharmonyintl.com
cell,00923005314363

Country
Pakistan

Organization
The Interfaith Harmony pakistan

Title / Position
Editor

January 24, 2011

The Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations strongly supports the leadership of H. M. King Abdullah II and H.R. H. Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad and the UN General Assembly in the establishment of World Interfaith Harmony Week, 1-7 February each year.

As active NGOs dedicated to bringing the spirit of our traditions into the work of the United Nations, we will work together as a committee and with our individual organizations to build awareness of World Interfaith Harmony Week and encourage activities to demonstrate “Love of God and love of neighbour or love of the good and love of neighbour.”

This inaugural year will be the beginning of expanded cooperation and global goodwill among people of all faiths. Thank you for initiating this Week as a shared focus to build a culture of peace around the world.

May Peace Prevail on Earth,
Monica Willard, President
Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations

Country
United States

Organization
Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations

Title / Position
President

See Letter
RNGO-letter

Letter of Support: UN World Interfaith Harmony Week

His Majesty King Abdullah II

King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

On behalf of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) I would like to extend a warm and deep-felt congratulation on winning the endorsement of the UN General Assembly for this special and much-needed programme. The concerns highlighted in the speeches and texts are precisely those that need addressing through the higher values that our faiths give us.

As a national organisation, with regional and International reach, we are encouraging all of our partners, affiliates and supporters to recognise this week as an apt opportunity in engaging in multi faith dialogue, joint programmes for all the family, and stimulating activities that foster shared trust and harmony.

In Greater Manchester, we have organised a talk and exhibition at a public library for members of the community to participate in. We are also sending letters to schools to encourage their pupils to submit entries for a poster competition, with the best ones selected awarded at a Prize-giving ceremony.

The MCB, along with all its affiliate organisations, continue to appreciate the work of diligent people of all faiths who empathise with the ‘other’ and seek a common path to civil responsibility, peaceful co-existence and mutual respect.

In this spirit, we welcome and salute your creativity, leadership and fore-thought in bringing together key elements for the advancement of world peace and harmony.

We are delighted to be part of this strategic movement and look forward to cooperating with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and other countries in The World Interfaith Harmony Week.

On behalf of The Muslim Council of Britain and with appreciation, I remain
Most sincerely yours,

Dr Asad R Khan,

Secretary,

Inter Faith Relations Committee,

MCB

Country
United Kingdom

Organization
Muslim Council of Britain

Title / Position
Secretary

For the organizaers of the event, I wish you successiful deliberations and I believe that someday, the world over will recognize the strength in Interfaith Harmony. For this will build lasting peace relations, mutual co-existence, cohesion and interdependency.

Jan 25, 2011

King Abdullah II,

I salute you for the thoughts and deeper insights in the development of the World Interfaith Harmony idea. This is because, religion has a strong, perhaps growing significance as a key source of identity for billions of people across the world. In recent years, religion has made a muted but tangible impact development circles, most commonly reflecting the view that religious hatreds and differences are central to many recent and current conflicts in both developing and developed world.

Religion can encourage conflict in one hand and build peace on the other. However, religious forces play a constructive role in helping to resolve conflicts. Religious individuals and faith-based organizations, as carriers of religious ideas, can play important roles, not only as a source of conflict but also as a tool for conflict resolution and peace-building. Interfaith Harmony can help achieve greater social cohesion, and provide crucial foundation for progress in enhancing human development across the world.

Our organization, Center for Partnership and Civic Engagement (CEPACET)- www.cepacet.org, is engaged in promoting the principles and philosophies of Interfaith in order to bring lasting peace, interdependence, co-existence and common good among Kenyan communities. We whole heartedly support the World Interfaith Harmony Week and hope to follow the proceedings to enhance our work.

Thank you all and may you be blessed exceedingly abundantly.

Regards,

Chryspin Afifu

Country
Kenya

Organization
Center for Partnership & Civic Engagement

Title / Position
Programmes Director

Dear World Interfaith Harmony Week.

We are a group of Young and concern parent in Sierra Leone called My Own Children International. We are very much happy about the work of world Interfaith to bring peace which create a pace for unity, freedom, equality in opportunity at all levels in society we find our self. We are asking all stakeholders involve and others out there watching what is going on to support us as we are very much interested to take part and celeberate this Internationally recorgnized day in our Country Sierra Leone.

Thanks for your audience to our request.

God bless us all.

Country
Sierra Leone

Organization
My Own Children International

Title / Position
Programs Coordinator

21 January 2011

H.M. King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein
Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

Your Majesty King Abdullah:

On behalf of the members of Religions for Peace – the world’s largest multi-religious coalition with a presence in nearly 100 countries – I welcome with enthusiasm the UN General Assembly’s adoption of your country’s Resolution establishing The World Interfaith Harmony Week.

The World Interfaith Harmony Week presents a special opportunity to recognize the existing interfaith contributions to peace, and to encourage others to join in the great work of principled multi-religious cooperation for the common good.

From global to grassroots levels, the religious believers who have worked together to build Religions for Peace for the past 40 years have respected religious differences and united in common action for peace. The World Interfaith Harmony Week is bringing helpful and much needed public recognition of the importance and value of multi-religious cooperation.

Your Majesty, Religions for Peace esteems most highly your leadership and looks forward to fruitful collaboration with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and other countries in The World Interfaith Harmony Week.

In this spirit, we applaud and support your initiative and look forward to joining you and many others around the world in celebrating it.

On behalf of Religions for Peace and with appreciation, I remain

Most respectfully yours,

Dr. William F. Vendley
Secretary General

Country
United States

Organization
Religions for Peace

Title / Position
Secretary General

World Interfaith Harmony Week will be an inspiring celebration where religious thinkers and spiritual philosophers are able to create a global commons. This Week of celebration is signaling how the peace of God can become a truly unifying experience. Let us all join together to help open the hearts of humanity around the world. Let us also allow interfaith harmony to express itself in myriad ways –from dance, poetry and music to totally unexpected and novel experiences and insights that bring communities of faith together in experiencing the deeper questions of life and in redefining our future together.

The week of Interfaith Harmony is a call to each of us to be in human and divine service “together.” This is a difficult path that challenges the old paradigm. But when we succeed we may find our next level of transformation!

Dr. J.J. Hurtak
www.healtheplanet.org

Country
United States

Organization
Academy for Future Science

Title / Position
President

Country

Organization
United Nations

Title / Position
Secretary General

See Attachment
BAN Ki-moon-letter

His Majesty King Abdullah II
King of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

His Majesty,

The Temple of Understanding is pleased to offer our full support and congratulations for World Interfaith Harmony Week. Our contribution to this initiative will be hosting an event at the United Nations in New York City, as part of this global effort. Our 14th annual Gandhi King Chavez Season for Nonviolence event, with the theme “Speak out, Unite, End Violence against Women” will be held on Wednesday, February 2, 2011.

The Temple of Understanding has led the way in interfaith education and advocacy for 50 years. We educate youth and adults both cross culturally and inter-religiously for global citizenship and peaceful coexistence; advocate for acceptance and respect for religious pluralism by the worlds governing bodies; and actively continue to promote justice and tolerance. The organization was founded in 1960 by a pioneering visionary, Juliet Hollister, with the support of a distinguished group of “Founding Friends,” which included Eleanor Roosevelt, Ecumenical Patriarch Athenagoras, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Sir Zafrula Khan, H.H. Pope John XXIII, Anwar al-Sadat and H.H. the XIVth Dalai Lama, among others.

We look forward to participating in this first weeklong celebration of interfaith harmony with our colleagues from around the globe. Thank you for your leadership and initiative in this endeavor.

Sincerely yours,

Alison Van Dyk
Executive Director
Temple of Understanding

Country
United States

Organization
The Temple of Understanding

Title / Position
Executive Director and Chair of the Board

Dear Global Family: Re: February, 2011 World Interfaith Harmony Week

On behalf of the Arizona Interfaith Movement, a non-profit organization comprised of 22 different and diverse faith traditions whose mission is to build bridges of understanding, respect and support for all people through the implementation of the Golden Rule, we would like to congratulate and thank HM King Abdullah II and HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan for initiating the idea of World Interfaith Harmony Week. Additionally, we would like to take the opportunity to thank the United Nations and all those countries and organizations which endorsed this initiative.
 
We strongly believe that World Interfaith Harmony Week indeed will help to build more trust, understanding, harmony and respect among followers of different religions and will create the opportunity for them to come together to resist forces of division that spread misunderstanding and mistrust among peoples of different religions. In addition to this, as stated by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, the author of the resolution, the week will also be a platform to co-ordinate and unite the efforts of all the interfaith groups doing positive work with one focused theme at one specific time annually, thereby increasing their collective momentum and eliminating redundancy
 
UN World Interfaith Harmony Week is an idea whose time has come and we strongly believe that one practical action that can make this happen is the Golden Rule. As you know, the Golden Rule which says ”treat others the way you want to be treated” is a pathway to peace, understanding, compassion, respect, harmony, democracy, and right human relationships.  It has been affirmed in all religions of the world, traditions, indigenous cultures and secular philosophies as a fundamental principle of life and the foundation upon which a global ethic is founded.  The message of the Golden Rule is simple, universal and powerful and is the most prevalent and universal moral principle in human history.  Therefore, on the occasion of World Interfaith Harmony Week we appeal to all supporters of this initiative to live according to the teaching of the Golden Rule and to promote its teaching in order to bring more harmony among people of different religions and cultures.
 
In Arizona, we worked to have Arizona be the first Golden Rule state in the nation in 2003, then worked to obtain a state Golden Rule license plate that is a traveling billboard reminder to “LIVE THE GOLDEN RULE,” thus promoting kindness and civility in our communities. Then, through the gracious work of Mr. Mussie Hailu, Board Chairman of IPI, Regional Director of URI for Africa

and Representative of URI at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, we took his appeal for a state proclamation to our Governor in Arizona. We are please to announce that in Arizona, we now honor April 5th as INTERNATIONAL GOLDEN RULE DAY. Our Governor, Janice K. Brewer, shared this proclamation first with our community publically at our 2010 Golden Rule Awards Banquet. This Banquet is an annual event we host to bring awareness to the Golden Rule, and to inspire people of our community to live the Golden Rule. As our Emcee, Mr. Pat McMahon, Radio and Television personality, so beautifully said of this event, “I’m fortunate in having numerous opportunities to participate in faith-based gatherings, but the Arizona Interfaith dinner I attended at the Phoenix Civic Plaza was one of the most diverse and inspiring events I’ve ever experienced.” We invite you to access our website, www.interfaitharizona.com for details of all our Golden Rule initiatives, education and events, all stemming from a Golden Rule basis. It is our sincere desire to promote the Golden Rule as a tool for our global family to use that will make our world a better and more peaceful place for all.

May we join together in building World Interfaith Harmony and Culture of Peace through the teaching of Golden Rule, and may there be Peace and World Interfaith Harmony in our lives, local communities and throughout the World.
 
Infinite blessings and May the Golden Rule Prevail.

With a passion for UNITY,

Dr. Paul Eppinger
Executive Director, Arizona Interfaith Movement

Country
United States

Organization
Arizona Interfaith Movement

Title / Position
Executive Director

Greetings of Peace:

This is a wonderful and long overdue initiative to emphasize the importance of interfaith dialogue and ommunication, and the power of religion in promoting good in society. At a time when religion is often an excuse for hate, bigotry, and violence, highlighting the value and primacy of interfaith engagement is a wonderful effort. The purpose of all religious traditions and paths is to promote positive actions and character, and a better world for our children. Religious leaders and practitioners must do their part to promote peace and harmony between faiths, and build the society that all of humanity desires and deserves. We congratulate all who have worked tireless towards this initiative and wish for a successful week of interfaith learning and engagement for this year and years to come.

Regards,
Maha ElGenaidi and Ameena Jandali

Country
United States

Organization
Islamic Networks Group

Title / Position
CEO

International Interfaith Initiative (III) is genuinely inspired and whole-heartedly supportive of the United Nation’s World Interfaith Harmony Week. In a world torn apart by poverty, violence, and disregard for the natural environment, we are compelled to draw from our religious and spiritual heritage and reach out to the “other” and strengthen the whole. We seek a common effort in ameliorating chronic ills and manifesting a unified resolve to work together in support of the common good.

At a time when so many international and domestic conflicts seem driven by religious differences, some people believe the concept “interfaith” can point toward common ground. But others worry that the idea of “interfaith” requires sacrificing what is unique and special about their faith, or reducing all religious traditions to a shallow lowest common denominator. By contrast, the International Interfaith Initiative believes that when we come together in open dialogue and an honest effort to find solutions to chronic problems, adherents of differing religious traditions can discover answers that none of us would have imagined alone. In other words, public engagement and political conflict can bring out the best rather than the worst of different religious traditions.

Here at III, we will continue, shoulder to shoulder with many in this global effort represented by World Interfaith Harmony Week, to pursue our mission to “foster interfaith cooperation and strengthen civil society.”

With hope for unity, peace, and harmony for all the world,

Charlie Wiles, director
International Interfaith Initiative
Indianapolis, IN USA
Charlie@centerforinterfaithcooperation.org
www.internationalinterfaith.org

Country
United States

Organization
International Interfaith Initiative

Title / Position
Director

I Love Harmony, I Love Peace….

Country
Indonesia

Organization
Anand Ashram

Title / Position

One of the best lessons I was taught as a child was to respect all beliefs that shared common tenets.
I don’t care if you believe that space aliens are coming to get you, or if you follow cows and drink their urine, as long as you have love and respect for your fellow earthlings, you believe in love and peace for all, I love you!!!

Country
Canada

Organization
earthling

Title / Position

Greetings and peace from God’s guiding light for mankind .With appreciation and respect for His Majesty King Abdullah and each carried the light of God in his heart No matter how different our languages and religions.That if we look for the truth that brings us together We will find the way and is one (God)Brought us together with love, compassion and brotherhood.Not days are asked for the name of or Of any religion we to answer to our question and bless us with His bounty and grace .Will not be considered day to our faces, but look into our hearts.Accepts us as we are our sins and our Cruelty .Looking for a good seed planted by us Which is the basis of our confidence in its and bring us closer to him .The first houses of God in us is our hearts Let there be light and full of mercy and love To make a circle surrounded by all the lovers I need your hands If God in your heart you are lovers
Do not tell me your name or religion, just give me your hands in order to complete the circle .
God brings us together to love and peace

Country
Iraq

Organization

Title / Position
We all pray to God

Every week should be World Interfaith Harmony Week. What a wonderful opportunity to begin a week focused on harmony. As one of the founders of Interfaith Awareness Week in Wisconsin(the week of the UN Declaration of Human Rights), I can see a future where it is not strange or unusual to discuss our individual faith without fear of reprisal or ridicule with others who believe differently.

We have just finished our 13th annual Interfaith Awareness Week and every year seems to have a life of its own. We have wondered how to extend the peaceful and harmonious vibrations that our Capitol Celebration evokes.

My book ”Neighbors, Strangers, and Everyone Else” deals with the complex issues of peace and harmony from an Eastern Christian perspective. (available on amazon.com)

Locally, the Greater Madison Interreligios Association has started an Interfaith Thanksgiving event in November.

This World Interfaith Harmony Week will be a welcome addition to our calendar of ongoing dialogue and discussion to bring the high ideals of our spiritual ancestry into fruition.

May God bless this effort and all efforts of peace and harmony throughotu the world.

Country
United States

Organization
Inroads Ministry

Title / Position
director

THANX FOR ALL THINGS THAT U TRY TO DO COZ OUR GOD WANT FROM US TO BE LIKE THAT.
PHARMACIST:NOUR BASSIM

Country
Iraq

Organization

Title / Position
i like ur steps

We are one of the oldest interfaithnorganisations working out of the UK. We were founded in 1936 and have worked continuously since then to better the understanding and respect between peoples of different faiths.
We would like to express our support for this initiative.
Never has the world been more in need of such organisations as ours and yours. In so many ways the Global Village has become a reality. We can strike up e-mail friendships across the world; we can text thousands of people a greeting or a warning (or unfortunately, most often an advertisement!) by pressing a few buttons, but that hasn’t stopped lack of communication with our neighbours bringing inevitable mistrust, tragedy and violence in its wake.
We hope that such initiatives as this will help lessen this mistrust and increase the sum of peace and justice on this earth.

Country
United Kingdom

Organization
World Congressof Faiths

Title / Position
Rabbi/Chair

Please find enclosed our letter of endorsement

Country
Oman

Organization
Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs

Title / Position
Grand Mufti of Oman

See Attachment
Grand Mufti Khalili-letter

Supporting Letter for World Interfaith Harmony Week from Interfaith Peace-building Initiative (Member of URI)

On behalf of Interfaith Peace-building Initiative (IPI), an Interfaith Peace organization based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and a member organization of United Religions Initiative, I would like to congratulate and thank HM King Abdullah II and HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad of Jordan for coming up with the idea of World Interfaith Harmony Week. I want also to take the opportunity to thank the United Nations and all those countries and organizations which endorsed this initiative.

We strongly believe that World Interfaith Harmony Week indeed will help to build more trust, understanding, harmony and respect among followers of different religions and will create the opportunity for them to come together to resist forces of division that spread misunderstanding and mistrust among peoples of different religions. In addition to this, as stated by Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, the author of the resolution, the week will also be a platform to co-ordinate and unite the efforts of all the interfaith groups doing positive work with one focused theme at one specific time annually, thereby increasing their collective momentum and eliminating redundancy

UN World Interfaith Harmony Week is an idea whose time has come and I strongly believe that one practical action that can make this happen is the Golden Rule. As you know, the Golden Rule which says ”treat others the way you want to be treated” is a pathway to peace, understanding, respect, harmony, democracy, and right human relationships. It has been affirmed in all religions of the world, traditions, indigenous cultures and secular philosophies as a fundamental principle of life and the foundation upon which a global ethic is founded. The message of the Golden Rule is simple, universal and powerful and is the most prevalent and universal moral principle in human history. Therefore on the occasion of World Interfaith Harmony Week we appeal to all supporters of this initiative to live according to the teaching of the Golden Rule, to join us in proclaiming the Golden Rule and to promote its teaching in order to bring more harmony among people of different religions and cultures.

I am very happy to inform you that with this fact in mind, in 2007 IPI declared April 5 as ”Golden Rule Day” and called upon all citizens of the world, religious leaders of the world, and the United Nations, to join IPI in proclaiming this day as Golden Rule Day and to live accordingly to make this world a better place for all and the coming generation.

Let us building together World Interfaith Harmony and Culture of Peace through the teaching of Golden Rule.

Let there be Peace and World Interfaith Harmony in the World.

May Peace and the Golden Rule Prevail on Earth.

In Peace,

Ambassador Mussie Hailu
Board Chairman of IPI,
Regional Director of URI for Africa & Representative of URI at the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
P.O.Box 7785
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
email mhailu@uri.org or mussiepeace@yahoo.co.uk

Country
Ethiopia

Organization
Interfaith Peace-building Inititative (member of URI)

Title / Position
Board Chairman of IPI & Regional Director of URI for Africa

At last a breath of fresh air after so much infighting within and between faiths.

At last an interfaith initiative that respects individual faiths while reminding us that our need for GOOD RELATIONSHIPS is at the united heart of most faith traditions.

At last an interfaith initiative that challenges individual faiths to unite behind something very positive rather than looking inwards at our differences.

I offer World Interfaith Harmony Week my full support.

Tim Hall

www.comeback2faith.com
www.thanks4courtesy.org

PS: I have likewise developed www.comeback2faith.com as an initiative applicable to all faiths.

Country
New Zealand

Organization
www.comeback2faith.com

Title / Position