Temos a honra de convidar V. Exa. para a comemoracao da Semana de Harmonia Inter-religiosa Mundial

Preliminary Report on SARAJEVO UN WORLD INTERFAITH HARMONY WEEK Sarajevo, February 1st and 2nd, 2013 The Holiday Inn The International Forum Bosnia's Centre for Interfaith Dialogue is pleased to report the successful completion of our programme to mark UN World Interfaith Harmony Week in Sarajevo for the first time. The planned events were held on the 1st and 2nd of February, 2013, in accordance with the published programme. At 20:00, on February the 1st, 2013, Prof. Rusmir Mahmut?ehaji? opened proceedings for the first Sarajevo UN World Interfaith Harmony Week on behalf of International Forum Bosnia in the Congress Hall of the Holiday Inn with a short presentation of the history and purpose of the initiative by His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan and its adoption by the UN General Assembly. Prof. Mahmut?ehaji? stressed the essentially plural nature of all societies and that the preservation and cherishing of religious plurality in open societies is amongst the most important and pressing tasks of the contemporary world. It was for this reason that the first event was to be a concert of sacred music by the Sarajevo-based Pontanima Choir, established in 1996 on an initiative by the Bosnian Franciscan Priest Fra. Ivo Markovi?. The Choir’s 35 members come from all the major religious communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina and their repertoire includes sacred music from the Jewish, Serbian Orthodox, Muslim, Catholic and International traditions. The concert included 15 songs. An interlude of three instrumental pieces for guitar was also performed by 11 children from the Sarajevo Guitar School. The concert was attended by approximately 300 people and was filmed by one of the main Bosnian TV stations (TV1) to be used in the production of a documentary film about the events to mark this week. Five photographs from the event are attached to the version of this report sent by email. More details about the award-winning Pontanima Choir, its inspiration and music, and testimonials from distinguished international statesmen and leaders may be found in the programme also attached. At 10:30, on February the 2nd, 2013, the main series of events to mark World Interfaith Harmony Week in Sarajevo was opened in the Hercegovina Hall of the Holiday Inn by Prof. Mahmut?ehaji? with an address on the nature and significance of the initiative. The first event was the opening of an exhibition on “Cultural Memory – A Disappearing Treasure: Bosnia and Herzegovina's Sacred Heritage,” which was presented by Dr Amra Hadžimuhamedovi?, Commissioner for the Preservation of National Monuments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The exhibition presents the at-risk built heritage and treasures of all the main religious traditions in the country, including Orthodox and Catholic monasteries and churches, Mosques and Dervish lodges, and Synagogues, as well as manuscripts. The exhibition will be open to the public through the first week of February and there are plans to have it installed as a permanent exhibition in the new UN headquarters building in Sarajevo. Photographs are attached to the emailed version of this report. This was followed by the presentation of an exhibition on “New Works of Sacred Culture,” by Mr. Izedin Šikalo, the owner and chief editor of the Dobra Knjiga publishing house from Sarajevo. The exhibition presented a selection of the most important books published in the country on the topic of sacred culture in recent years. Photographs are attached. Dr. Žarko Papi? then opened an exhibition on “15 years of the Forum Bosnae Journal.” Speaking as the journal’s editor-in-chief, he spoke about its significance for the cultural life of the country, in particular as a unique forum for the publication of texts and works by members of all Bosnia’s religious and ethnic communities, which has made it the most widely read and cited Bosnian publication of this sort, both in the country and internationally. The jubilee sixtieth volume of the Forum Bosnae journal was also presented by its editor, Professor Lejla Nakaš. This volume was prepared specifically for publication under the programme of the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week as a contribution to interfaith understanding in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to mark the country’s long history of religious coexistence between the major Abrahamic traditions. The volume is a facsimile and diplomatic edition of the Bosnian Psalter from the Miscellany of Hval the Krstjanin, one of the oldest and most significant monuments of Bosnian mediaeval religious literature. It is a medieval translation of the entire Psalter from Greek into Old Bosnian. There is a specially commissioned afterword by Catherine Mary MacRobert, Professor of Russian and Comparative Slavic Philology at Oxford University. The Psalter was chosen for publication during this week because of its centrality to all four of the main religious traditions in Bosnia, Judaism, Catholicism, Serbian Orthodoxy and Islam. It is accompanied by an audio CD of Prof. Josip Raos of Sarajevo University reading the Psalter aloud as it would have been read in medieval times. A copy of the book is being forwarded by post. Finally, a presentation was made of eight books by Academician Rusmir Mahmut?ehaji?, by Franciscan Brother fra. Mile Babi? and Nerin Dizdar of Mostar University. The books published during 2011 and 2012 in both English and Bosnian include – On the Other: A Muslim View (New York: Fordham University Press, 2011); Across the River: On the poetry of Mak Dizdar (ibid.); Maintaining the Sacred Center: The Bosnian city of Stolac (Bloomington: World Wisdom, 2011); Hval i Djeva 1: Vje?nost u vjesni?kim otkrivanjima (Sarajevo: Dobra knjiga, 2011); Hval i Djeva 2: O trajanju i prekidu (ibid.); Hval i Djeva 3: Sabiranje rasutog (ibid.); Iz Jerusalema: O jednosti, vjesništvu i povratku (Profil: Zagreb, 2012); and Bosanski odgovor: O modernosti i tradiciji, tre?e dopunjeno izdanje (Sarajevo: Dobra knjiga, 2012). As fra. Mile Babi? stated, these books represent an unparalleled and sustained discourse on the nature of relations between the major religious traditions present in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the question of religiously plural societies as the emerging norm in the world today. The publication of the trilogy on the Praised and the Virgin, a meditation on the nature and role of the Prophet Muhammad and the Virgin Mary in both the Muslim and the Christian traditions within Bosnian history is expected later this year by the Brill publishing house in the Netherlands, making Prof. Mahmut?ehaji? the most translated Bosnian author to date. Photographs attached. At 11:30, the main panel discussion on Intellectual Perspectives on Interreligious Relations in the Contemporary World was opened by Mr. Yuri Afanasiev, the UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Mr Afanasiev spoke about the nature of interfaith relations both in the world generally and in Bosnia and Herzegovina in particular, with a particular stress on reasons behind the UN General Assembly’s initiative for the World Interfaith Harmony Week, the reasons for relative neglect of this area in the past and the reason why it has now moved up on the world agenda as an issue of ever increasing importance under conditions of globalization and the gathering crises related to various forms of sustainability of world systems. The panel discussion was moderated by Asim Zub?evi?, the Chair of the International Forum Bosnia's Centre for Interfaith Dialogue and the principal speakers were: Dr. Žarko Papi?, Prof. Marica Petrovi?, Prof. Krsto Mijanovi?, Mr. Desmond Maurer, Brother Ivo Markovi?, Prof. Rusmir Mahmut?ehaji?, Prof. Mehmedalija Hadži?, Prof. David Kamhi, Prof. Samir Beglerovi? and Prof. Mile Babi? O.M. The speakers addressed the question of religious plurality in the contemporary world from a variety of different intellectual and religious perspectives. These presentations served as the basis for a discussion, which was open to the public, which included leading members of civil society organizations active in the field of interfaith relations and the promotion of social, cultural and religious plurality in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was agreed that the participants will prepare extended versions of their talks for publication in a volume of the Forum Bosnae journal dedicated to the question of interfaith harmony. The formal discussion continued until 14:45 and was followed by an interfaith luncheon for participants and interested members of the public, at which lively discussion lasted for several more hours. Given the inherent importance of the theme, the success with which the event went forward, and the interest shown on the part of the public, it was proposed by participants that a commitment be made to hold a similar event next year, with a greater level of involvement by civil and religious leaders and preferably to involve a public event to mark the week sponsored by the Sarajevo City authorities and the UN agencies present in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Photographs of the panel discussion are attached. A number of media were present at the event and participants gave a large number of interviews to print, online, and radio and TV outlets, including the main press agencies of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Coverage will be monitored and the most interesting articles collected for forwarding. Two television stations, TV1 and HEMA, committed to preparing documentary programmes about the events. Asim Zub?evi? President of IFB Center for Interreligious dialogue 061/913-582 Nermina Ahatovi? IFB Coordinator 061/564-225

In Stockholm, we will celebrate World Interfaith harmony Week with events thorugh the week: Interfiath peace walks between houses of worship on 3 and 10 February, seminars Monday, Wednesday, Thrusday and Saturday. The week will be concluded by a peace rally on the steps of the Citizens' Hall (Medborgarhuset) 5:30 PM Ssunday 10 Feb, where texts from 8 different relgions will be read and candles lit.

The Manitoba Multifaith Council presents an evening celebrating harmonious relationships between faiths. There will be music, dance, readings, prayers and storytelling. Thursday February 7th from 7-9 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help 4588 Roblin Blvd. Donation of $5 suggested to help cover costs. Please come and join us . All are welcome.

Trauma Healing for victim of Jakarta's Flood victim with Laughing Meditation, in cooperation with Laughing Club for Holistic Health and Cherry (KTCS) in Marunda

“A delightful proposition of exquisite music” -El Pais, Madrid, Spain Winners of the Peoples Grammy Award for “Best World Music Song of 2009” JPFolks Gitana’s Faces of Love Concert features... AL-ANDALUS Saturday, March 2, 2013 7:00 PM Union Avenue Christian Church (Home of the Union Avenue Opera) 733 Union Blvd. (Parking on Church lot, Mental Health Center on Delmar and on Enright Ave.) These sophisticated artists with extraordinary breadth and creativity soulfully merge classical, jazz and contemporary music with musical traditions from the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. Now, Al-Andalus, an eclectic group of musicians from all over the world is recreating the spirit of the historical Al-Andalus in concerts that celebrate the mystical pluralism of the Arab-Jewish music traditions. Jewish Journal "Tarik & Julia Banzi create a new musical language that unites the East & West" – Aramco World Magazine Tickets - $25 Regular Seniors and Students $20 Special Discount for Groups (15 or more) Tickets are available for purchase at the following

Reformation for Empowerment & Alleviation of Poverty (REAP) is a Non Government Organization poised to strive for poverty alleviation and endeavor to create interfaith harmony in Pakistan. REAP has planned to hold an event to celebrate the “World Interfaith Harmony Week” on Wednesday, February 06, 2013 at 3PM in the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hall located at Awan-e-Sanat-O-Tijarat Road, G-8/1, Islamabad. Iraqi Ambassador Dr. Rushdi–al–Ani has kindly consented to be the chief guest. Eminent speakers like Ashok Chand (Vice Chairman, All Pakistan Hindu Rights Movement), Bishop Rufin Anthony, Dr. Kalayn Singh Kalayn and Saqib Akber (Secretary General, Milli Yakjehti Council) will stress on the ever growing need for interfaith harmony among our masses to reduce tension among different segments of the society and promote mutual tolerance. Thinkers and activists from all walks of life will be welcome to attend on a prior notice because the seats for participants are limited.

"The Forgotten Holocaust" is a call for supporting letters initiative. In the coming week of Interfaith Harmony and Tolerance let us acknowledge and support the great achievement of Bulgaria during the Second World War – over 50,000 Jews and 150,000 Roma people were saved from being deported to a “Nazi death camp”. Bulgaria was the only country with a naturally increasing population of Jews after the Second World War, though it was an ally of Germany during the war. URI Cooperation Circle "BRIDGES" calls for your support of the nomination of Bulgaria, and its people, before the European Council for the Nobel Peace Prize Award with a letter of support. We trust that the WIHW founders would lobby before the European Council and all EU leaders who signed the EPP “Declaration on Interfaith and Intercultural Dialogue” to support our nomination and spread it worldwide. You could contact us via: [email protected] – Angelina Vladikova (Chair); [email protected] - Petar Gramatikoff (Vice President) or use our Facebook page: http://facebook.com/bridges.forum The Forgotten Holocaust (70th anniversary of the saving of Bulgarian Roma people during the Second World War) As a commemoration of the great humanitarian act of saving over 50,000 Jews and 150,000 Roma people from being deported to a “Nazi death camp”, BRIDGES CC – “Eastern European Forum for Dialogue” calls for the support of all the CC’s in the global network of the United Religions Initiatives (URI Europe) for nominating Bulgaria, and the Bulgarian people, before the European Council for the Nobel Peace Prize Award. The persecutions of Roma people in Europe started in the beginning of 16th century, however, its peak was during the World War II (1939-1945); in fact, in 1938 Himmler created a special office for Roma extermination in Germany. Although it is not clear how many Roma people were killed during the Holocaust, this number varies between 220,000 and 500,000 - After the end of the war, the public’s attention was on the 6 million killed Jews, until in 1982 the West Germany chancellor Helmut Schmidt spoke about the crimes over Roma people in the years of WWII. When the German government started its policies against the Roma people and Jews, Nazi officials came to Bulgaria and asked King Boris III to deport the Bulgarian Jews and Roma people to the Labor camps. However, the king refused and thus saved more than 200,000 people. This unknown to the world fact – an act of courage from the whole Bulgarian population –deserves to be honored as an example of tolerance and peaceful coexistence. Probably the reason why such a historical fact was forgotten is the isolation of Bulgaria in the Eastern bloc during the Soviet era. Communist could never acknowledge such an act of bravery from the Orthodox Church, the monarchy and the Pro-Fascist, simple because of the nature of the communist ideology. Such a world recognition will further support the efforts of integrating Roma people in the big European family. We trust that you would endorse our initiative!