As part of the World Interfaith Harmony Week, "Seychelles InterFaith Council" (SIFCO) will be officially launched Tuesday 7th February at 'Le Relaxe Hotel'. In that occasion, Religious bodies, NGOs, Ministries, Media, Public & Private sectors are invited. A highlight of passed activities and projects for 2012 will be presented to the guests. SIFCO will have occasion to interact with its present and future partners.

The Peacemakers' Circle will be gathering a small group among neighboring organizations in the community to a simple activity of offering interfaith prayers (Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and others) and individual lighting of candles and/or incense with the intention of praying for peace and harmony in our homes/workplace, our communities, our country, the world. The activity will take place on Feb.1 (Wednesday) at 12:00 noon when most of the employees will be taking a break for lunch. From then on a campaign to pause everyday at mid-day to pray for peace will be launched as well.

The Peacemakers' Circle will be gathering a small group among neighboring organizations in the community to a simple activity of offering interfaith prayers (Christian, Muslim, Hindu, and others) and individual lighting of candles and/or incense with the intention of praying for peace and harmony in our homes/workplace, our communities, our country, the world. The activity will take place on Feb.1 (Wednesday) at 12:00 noon when most of the employees will be taking a break for lunch. From then on a campaign to pause everyday at mid-day to pray for peace will be launched as well.

Candle lighting ceremonies on the morning of February 1st at schools throughout the region mark the beginning of World Interfaith Harmony Week, along with interfaith prayers at all morning assemblies throughout the week. They are also hosting/participating in EXPO 2012 at Karickam International School celebrating Interfaith Harmony Week that includes a musical concert and exhibition, Ayurvedic Medical Camp, and an "Exchange Mela" or gathering/festival during which people bring items no longer needed in their own homes so that others in need of such items may exchange or pick them up free. The EXPO also includes an inter-school competition/quiz for students and all others that wish to participate, based upon their knowledge of world religions.

Trust Win CC, MADA CC, and Women Reborn CC will be gathering to light a special candle made by Palestinian women, and prayers calling for harmony amongst all peoples will be offered by women religious leaders from Christian, Druze, Jewish and Muslim faiths, followed by a silent walk dedicated to peace and harmony around the Garden of the Mothers, and a shared meal.

The seminar discusses reasons for criticism of islam and effects for intercultural and interfaith understanding and social cohesion.

Canterbury School parents are invited to an open house hosted by the Haven Interfaith Parents (HIP) to learn about the multi-faith efforts occurring at Canterbury School. The open house will be Tuesday, February 7th from 7-9 pm in the Haven (located in the Middle School. The discussion questions are posted in Ramona Fisher's blog: http://ramonafisher.blogspot.com/p/hip.html

The "One Community Program" was launched by Adyan(Lebanese Foundation for interreligious Studies and Spiritual Solidarity) throughout Lebanon. Its main goal and objective is to increase positive interactions and collaboration among different confessional groups by bringing together religious leaders and their religious community members for joint projects. The program also aims to demonstrate the benefits of interaction and collaboration among confessional groups through multi-media outreach campaigns. From this program, seven projects emerged. A few examples for these projects: In Baalbek area,there is formation of a group of young people to enhance positive interactions and work on a joint project: “replacing plastic bags by ecological ones”. In Akkar area, another group of young people will be putting in place a DVD highlighting some historical sites in their region. In Mashghara area, rehabilitation of a "Center for Dialogue"...

INTERFAITH AMIGOS IN THE BAY AREA. The Interfaith Amigos — Pastor Don Mackenzie, Rabbi Ted Falcon and Imam Jamal Rahman—started working together after 9/11 - Since then, they have brought their unique blend of spiritual wisdom and humor from Seattle to audiences in the US, Canada, Israel-Palestine and Japan. Their first book, Getting to the Heart of Interfaith (Skylight Paths, 2009), brought the Interfaith Amigos international attention with coverage from the New York Times, CBS News, the BBC and various NPR programs. They have recently published a new book, Religion Gone Astray: What We Found at the Heart of Interfaith (Skylight Paths, 2011). Known for their unique blend of spiritual wisdom and humor, Imam Jamal Rahman, Pastor Don Mackenzie and Rabbi Ted Falcon openly address the usual taboos of interfaith dialogue — the “awkward” parts of each tradition — in order to create a more authentic conversation. They will be appearing at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Drive, Lafayette, CA Saturday, February 4, 4:00 pm.

Each of us makes our own journey through the night, seeking the light of understanding. While we must make a solitary journey, we are not alone. The deep blue body of Nut, the sky mother, embraces and receives us all, and gives rebirth to us with the dawn. Members and friends of Osireion will gather at 7:00 PM on Sunday, February 12, to hold a short ceremony called Lights of Nut. In honor of World Interfaith Harmony Week, you are invited to join us for this special occasion. Because Lights of Nut will be held in a private home, attendance is by invitation only. You are welcome to bring a guest, however. The service will last about twenty minutes, then will be followed by coffee and cake. You need not be familiar with New Egyptian Spirituality, Paganism or Osireion in order to attend, and no particular attire is required. Just come and enjoy the communion of Spirit and friends. RSVP to [email protected] for directions to the home location. Every year at this time Ancient Egyptians gathered to celebrate the Feast of Nut, whose vast blue star-covered body stretched across the sky above them. The sun (symbolized by the scarab beetle in the painting at left) traveled across her body each day, was swallowed by her at dusk, then rebirthed each dawn. Nut's arms and legs were the four pillars on which the vault of heaven rested. With her lover, Geb, the earth, she gave birth to the Heliopolitans Isis, Osiris, Set and Nephthys.