The 2026 HM King Abdullah II World Interfaith Harmony Week Prize

Over 1400 events were held in honour of the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week 2026 and from these 53 reports were submitted for the prizes. The judges are highly appreciative of all the efforts of all those who held events and applied for the prize. They wish they could reward all who held an event, but are consoled by the fact that good deeds are their own reward so that everyone who held an event—whether they applied for the prize or not—is a true winner.

In judging, the judges took into consideration the excellence of efforts, collaboration and impact of events. They looked carefully at efforts made despite scantiness of resources, unfavourable political and social climates, and also took into consideration consistent efforts made over the years. They further took into consideration whether events were consistent with the text of the UN Resolution establishing the Prize. Accordingly, judges did not reward movements towards religious syncretism but rather rewarded events which respected each religion as it is. Finally, in accordance with the terms of the Prize, judges rewarded events specifically celebrating the World Interfaith Harmony Week rather than good interfaith work in general.

Accordingly, the judges are delighted to announce:

First Prize

The Islamic Community in the Republic of Slovenia
Slovenia
Sharing a Table, Sharing Values: Interfaith Breakfast in Ljubljana

See Report 32 – Sharing a Table, Sharing Values: Interfaith Breakfast in Ljubljana

The Interfaith Breakfast was attended by the highest representatives of the four largest religious communities in Slovenia, which together represent more than 90 percent of the country’s total population. Their presence gave the event particular significance and conveyed a clear message of unity in diversity.

–       Mr. Sci. Nevzet Porić, Mufti and President of the Meshihat – Islamic Community in the Republic of Slovenia
–       Stanislav Zore – Catholic Church
–       PhD Aleksander Erniša – Evangelical Church of the Augsburg Confession in Slovenia
–       Petar Kozakijević, Deacon – Serbian Orthodox Church

Joint Statement of the Religious Leaders:

Although each speaker spoke from his own theological and traditional background, all emphasized three shared points:

  • Interfaith dialogue in Slovenia is a vibrant, regular, and sincere process.
  • Religious communities bear a moral responsibility to promote peace and respect.
  • Diversity is not an obstacle, but an opportunity for shared growth and social stability.

The meeting thus transcended the symbolic level and demonstrated that the highest representatives of religious communities are prepared to act publicly and responsibly together as advocates of respect, cooperation, and interfaith harmony.

Second Prize

Horizon Health Network
CANADA
Spiritual Diversity Education Day

See Report 33– Spiritual Diversity Education Day

This initiative reflected Horizon’s strong commitment to inclusive, compassionate care by recognizing spiritual diversity as an essential component of holistic healthcare. The event engaged more than 100 staff members, physicians, and volunteers in education and dialogue focused on the importance of spiritual care within clinical settings. Through thoughtful programming and meaningful discussion, Horizon reinforced its dedication to supporting not only the physical needs of patients, but also their spiritual, emotional, and cultural well-being.

This event builds on years of foundational work by Horizon’s Spiritual Care Team to integrate spirituality into healthcare delivery. Previous initiatives, including the development of spiritual care policies and the creation of dedicated sacred spaces within facilities laid important groundwork for expanding awareness and education across the organization. The Spiritual Diversity Education Day represents a continuation of these sustained efforts, further embedding spiritual care into Horizon’s culture and services.

Third Prize

The Multi-Faith Council of NW Ohio
USA
Annual Faith Leader Breakfast: Faith Leaders Breakfast: Building Freedom, Dignity and Solidarity

See Report 4: Faith Leaders Breakfast: Building Freedom, Dignity and Solidarity

47 clergy members, lay leaders and neighbors of 16 diverse faith traditions came together to explore religious pluralism in northwest Ohio. Using the World Cafe model, attendees rotated among hosted tables to address three questions. We shared our vision for a community rich with religious diversity, we identified current threats to our freedom of conscience and religion, and we laid the foundation for protecting religious pluralism. We started with sumptuous breakfast buffets with restaurant style hot foods and cold continental style breakfast choices. Care was taken to provide kosher, gluten free, and vegetarian options to meet all dietary needs. The discussions were energetic and gave opportunity to all attendees to participate.

The Judges

  • HRH Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad
  • HB Patriarch Theophilus III – Patriarch of the Holy City, Palestine and Jordan
  • HE Sheikh Dr Ali Gomaa – former Grand Mufti of the Arab Republic of Egypt
  • HE Bishop Munib Yunan – Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, and President of the World Federation of Evangelical Lutheran Churches
  • Sheikh Usama al-Sayyid Al-Azhari – Professor at Al-Azhar University
  • Father Nabil Haddad – Founder and Executive Director of the Jordanian Interfaith Coexistence Research Centre
  • Dr Tarek Elgawhary– Director of the Royal Aal Al-Bayt Institute for Islamic Thought