February  02/2018

Ethiopia has to share its longtime experience in religious and cultural harmony to the rest of the world, some participants of the World Interfaith Harmony Week said today

More that 75 delegates attended the World Interfaith Harmony Week marked for the first time outside the UN Headquarters.

Some delegates told ENA that Ethiopia is an inspiration for the world in practicing interreligious peace and harmony in a country with people who have diverse religions and cultural practices.

Unity Earth in USA delegate, Yani Maniates said Ethiopia has a strong root in practicing Christianity and Islam religions in a peaceful and harmonious way.

“We are gathered here in Ethiopia to mark the World Interfaith Harmony Week because Ethiopia is a mother country of interfaith harmony”, he added.

According to Maniates, the world is not much aware that Ethiopia is unique in interfaith harmony and religious heritage that should be promoted continuously.

Ben Reisman, a delegate from Holland, said Ethiopia is the right place to get experience on religious and cultural harmony.

Ethiopia is a beautiful country and you see how religions can work together, Reisman said, adding that, “I think Ethiopia is the right place to start giving attention to this idea. But after Ethiopia it should also go to other places in the world.”

U-Day delegate Alludin Offinger said that Ethiopia has a very strong tradition of practicing inter-religious harmony in a diverse community.

He stated that “Ethiopia is really at the top of the point that the religious and cultural harmony in supporting leaders to promote peace, harmony and diversity can inspire the rest of world.”

Inter- Religious Council of Ethiopia was awarded a prize for promoting tolerance, peace and co-existence among the people by United Religious Initiative-Africa.

The golden rule “treat others as you want to be treated” was the central idea of this year’s World Interfaith Harmony Day.