Feb 2017 Designated as International Men’s Day World Interfaith Harmony Month
Extend the dialogue to include “Love of the Good”.
Souls of all Faiths are expected to observe World Interfaith Harmony Week from 1 February 2017 through 7 February 2017. World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed by His Majesty King Abdullah of Jordan on 23 September 2010 and unanimously adopted by the United Nations on 20 October 2010 – Cognizant of the need for religious tolerance and collaboration and dialogue between individuals of all faiths, the United States International Men’s Day Team has endorsed World Interfaith Harmony Week and has also designated the month of February 2017 as International Men’s Day World Interfaith Harmony Month.
World Interfaith Harmony Week is based upon The Common Word Initiative created in 2007 which called for Muslim and Christian leaders to come together in a dialogue based on two common fundamental religious Commandments – “Love of God” and “Love of the Neighbor”. Observers of World Interfaith Harmony Week are being asked to extend the dialogue to include “Love of the Good” which creates a greater sense of inclusivity for the event.
The United States International Men’s Day Team’s endorsement of World Interfaith Harmony Week along with the decision to extend its observance by designating the month of February 2017 as International Men’s Day World Interfaith Harmony Month grows out of its work beginning in 2014 to help end religious intolerance. Eradicating religious intolerance is a key “piece of the puzzle” to creating a safer and better world for everyone. The United States International Men’s Day Team is encouraging Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus, Buddhists and even those souls of ‘no faith’ to engage each other in meaningful dialogue that will lead to building bridges of understanding and dismantling walls that are a source of disharmony and divisiveness.
About Diane A. Sears
Diane A. Sears is the United States Coordinator for 2013 International Men’s Day (https://sites.google.com/a/imd-global.org/international-mens-day/); Chair of the USA 2012-2022 International Men’s Day Ten Year Plan Committee; and a member of the International Men’s Day Coordination Committee where she represents the United States. In her role as a member of the University Council for Akamai University’s Fatherhood and Men’s Studies Program (www.akamaiuniversity.us) which is located in Hilo, Hawaii, Sears advises the President of Akamai University on Fatherhood issues and assists him in the enhancement of the institution’s Fatherhood and Men’s Studies Program. She is also a member of the National Affinity Network for The Boys’ Initiative (www.theboysinitiative.org) which is headquartered in Washington, D.C.