The critical role of interfaith relations is given top priority this month as students from Durham University invite the Archbishop of York and the Chief Rabbi to campus. The Archbishop and the Chief Rabbi will lead discussions on the dynamics of interfaith in the 21st century on Wednesday 19 February which will be followed by a question and answer session with students and attending public. The event will mark the launch of a new student-led interfaith community in partnership with the Council of Christians and Jews, to be called the CCJ Student Presidents (CCJSPs). Participating students will work with the wider organisation to facilitate regular opportunities for students of different faiths to meet, campaign for religious tolerance and promote religious intelligence within the wider campus community. Students from across the country are invited to join the initiative and implement the programme in their own campus.

Dr Edward Kessler MBE is Executive Director of the Woolf Institute in Cambridge (www.woolf.cam.ac.uk), lecturer and author of numerous books and academic articles on the relationship between the three monotheistic faiths, and in particular Judaism and Christianity. In addition Dr Kessler is a Member of the College Council and Fellow of St Edmund’s College, Member of the Von Hugel Institute Committee, Affiliate Lecturer of the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge, Principal of the Cambridge Theological Federation and Vice Chair of the Commission on Religion and Belief in British Public Life. Dr Kessler is also a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, the British Association of Jewish Studies and the American Academy of Religions. http://www.ccj.org.uk/Articles/390995/The_Council_of/Branches/Bournemouth/Is_the_Dream.aspx

Revd Dr Martin Gorrick, Archdeacon of Oxford, Rabbi Kathleen Magtige-Midddleton of New Middlesex Synagogue Harrow (tbc), and Justine Huxley of St Ethelburga’s bring a wealth of experience to this dynamic panel. In the Chair: The Revd Bob Wilkes. http://www.ccj.org.uk/Groups/189814/The_Council_of/Events/Events.aspx

As the crisis of exiles fleeing their home country out of fear of religious persecution grows yet again on Europe’s borders, a Panel of Exiles from religious persecution, Christian and Jewish, will discuss their experiences, what they learnt, what could have been done... http://www.ccj.org.uk/Articles/389736/The_Council_of/Branches/Branch_Event_Refuge.aspx

Muslims for Progressive Values joined Temple Beth Hilel for a Shabbat meal followed by the new creative service blending the prayer songs and prayer concepts of Islam and Judaism. In addition to the ritual Shabbat service, a verse from the Quran was recited by a member of the Muslim community in Arabic followed by English translation. The service is a very unique event where both communities participated in each other's prayer services. In addition, Islamic Hymns was sung by the Jewish choir and the Muslim community members sang with the Jewish choir. This has never been done.

A breakfast was arranged for members of different faiths at Balmik Hindu Temple, Lalkurti, Rawalpindi. Hindu Panchayat Committee Rawalpindi President Om Prakash, Pandit Chana Lal, Gudu Kumari, and Universal Interfaith Peace Mission Chairman Dr AGR Chishti attended the breakfast with Hindus and Christians of the area. Hindu leaders praised UIPM for holding such an event for interfaith harmony. http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-6-233301-World-Interfaith-Harmony-Week-celebrated

A mass prayer was held at Baptist Church, Chashma Town, Islamabad. Accompanied by Pastor Arif Sardar and Pastor Aftab Ahmed and others UIPM Chairman AGR Chishti offered prayers for interfaith harmony. The pastors supported the cause saying Muslim-Christian relations are important and need of the hour for mutual co-existence.

videos and speeches of different leaders from Islamic world on interfaith harmony were screened for students of Divine Light Public School, Islamabad. Dr AGR Chishti apprised the students about interfaith harmony.

Universal Interfaith Peace Mission organised a ceremony at Sir Syed Grammar School and College, Rawalpidi, which was attended by Principal Hafsa Saeed and General Secretary Qazi Hafeez ur Rehman advocate. They welcomed the interfaith harmony initiative of UIPM. http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-6-233301-World-Interfaith-Harmony-Week-celebrated

At the Juma congregation at Jamia Masjid Mai Saleem Akhtar, Islamabad, on February 07, Dr AGR Chishti spoke on interfaith harmony and ‘A Common Word between Us and You’. He said that celebration of world interfaith harmony week goes to ‘A Common Word between Us and You’, which has provided a common ground to the world for peace and shed light on interfaith harmony in light of Quran and Sunnah. On Feb 10 Interfaith Conference was held at the Islamia University Bahawalpur, Bhawalnagar Campus, which was presided over by Dr. Altaf Hussain Langrial, director campus. Officials from district Bahwalnagar, faculty members, social activists, students and people from all walks of life attended the conference. http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-6-233301-World-Interfaith-Harmony-Week-celebrated